America. I really think we messed up on this one.
Yes, I am excited that my late night hosts and SNL will get much more material for jokes and skits, but my goodness, what the heck America? I mean not to offend, but electing Donald Trump as president might just be one of the dumber things America has done, and I say that will full knowledge that we almost had a meltdown over a Twinkies shortage. There are many issues to discuss, but let’s focus on just one.
Climate Change, that thing that 97% of environmental scientist say is a real thing. The key word there: “Real.” President-elect Trump wishes to end all climate initiatives that the US has agreed to and this is “Yuge.” Like it or not, this issue is a reality, and more importantly, its effects are dastardly. The global temperature is rising due to humans if you do not believe such a statement spend an hour doing research and I think your ignorance may be washed away. Sea levels will rise, and they will displace large populations across countries’ coasts. This means a lot of people from places that live on the coasts of Louisiana, Florida, and other states may be forced to move elsewhere, and who knows, they could end up being your neighbor. Now, you may not be concerned, but have you seen the sort of things that happen in Florida? “Florida Man bites off neighbor's ear because he wouldn't give him a cigarette,” is an actual news headline from a channel 12 CBS news station. Such displacement will not only be due to the rise in sea level either, climate change will cause an increase in the intensity of hurricanes. Superstorms like Hurricane Katrina will become a norm. That is what you are voting for when you vote for representatives who do not believe the in existence of climate change.
Beyond just making sure Floridians stay in Florida, the rise in temperature is also expected to affect our agriculture economy. The agricultural center of the US is projected to experience more and more droughts, some of which will behold the equal, or higher, intensity of the Dust Bowl which was felt during the Great Depression. The states’ dependent on such production will have economies that tank. Beyond this, the population as a whole will have to spend more money to import food, or the prices will rise due to lack of supply. This is one of the main reasons I do not understand why more people are not concerned about this issue. Typically, when rich people hear that they will lose money because of an issue, that issue usually becomes pretty important, pretty fast.
This is barely skimming the surface of what may be to come! I only write off a few effects that will occur within the US, because I know the good people of America mostly only care about what happens to America. Sorry Canada. Nevertheless, I also must point out the list of effects due to climate change go on, and on. We as a nation really cannot seclude ourselves to this problem. We have our hand deep in the international relations cookie jar of the world. Whatever effects felt in China, or France, or Central America we too will feel directly or indirectly. There is a reason it is called “Global” climate change.
This is where we are America. Let’s not remain here long.
