Climate science is not popular with the current administration. Phrases like “climate crisis”, “clean energy”, and “climate science” itself are prohibited from websites, reports, regulations, and other communications by government employees and federal funding recipients. Once again, the United States is turning away from climate mitigation efforts and will have a drastically reduced ability to forecast disasters and head off their worst consequences.
Meanwhile, global warming continues, and the planet can’t withdraw from its consequences.
The hottest year in nearly two centuries was recorded in 2024. According to a new report by the World Meteorological Organization, there is an 80% chance that at least one year over the next four will surpass 2024 as the warmest year on record.
The consequences of warming will probably vary widely across the world. But likely occurrences include rapid thawing of Arctic Sea ice, drier seasons in the Amazon, excess rain in places like Alaska, northern Europe, and the Sahel in north-central Africa. Hotter temperatures lead to more evaporation of water from plants and soil, leading to droughts and failed crop seasons. The warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, which increases the chance of flooding from downpours and stronger hurricanes.
Ignoring what is going on with the climate or thinking that it will only impact other people in other places is nothing short of foolhardy. The planet does not care about politics. What is happening to the climate will be in just about everyone’s backyard soon enough.
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‘It’s pretty bleak’: A warming planet is poised to get even hotter, forecasters warn
Photo, posted December 1, 2015, courtesy of Adam Matsumoto via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio