Sierra: Global Warming Will Be Catastrophic

Only foolish or superstitious societies ignore clear evidence of danger and take chances. The science on climate change and a warming world is overwhelming, yet a small, vocal minority insists that there is no need for humans to take precautions by reducing reliance on fossil fuels. US government scientists released the fourth National Climate Assessment, as required by Congress. “The report is the federal government’s clearest statement to date that the reckless burning of fossil fuels for the last two centuries has put the nation on a collision course with a variety of near-biblical planetary consequences, from extreme drought and massive storms to monster wildfires, sea level rise, and the multiplication of dangerous diseases,” writes Jonathan Hahn for Sierra. “The cost of continued inaction, the assessment makes clear, will lead to social disruption, economic damage, and public health impacts on a scale never before witnessed by modern society.” The report details regional changes already underway, and researchers warn that climate changes outpace strategies to adapt. Perceptive individuals and communities will rely on the document for developing plans and policies. – YaleGlobal