First, let me be very clear: climate change is likely to be catastrophic. New research published this week announced, if anything, the impact will be even worse than scientists have thought in the past.
A combination of sea-level rise, storm surge and heavy rainfall – all functions of climate change – exposes New York, Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, San Diego and Boston to a much greater degree, research published on Monday in the journal Nature Climate Change found.“Call it a triple threat,” said Steven Meyers, a scientist at the University of South Florida and one of the authors. “What this shows is that there is an increasing risk of compound flooding, from storm surge and rainfall at the same time.”
Given this reality, and the fact that Republicans refuse to even admit climate change is real, the choice we make in the upcoming Democratic Primary will have profound consequences for not only our own country in the decades to come, but the entire world, the impoverished Global South in particular.Most scientists concerned with climate change agree that the Keystone Pipeline -- which would be used to transport filthy oil from Canadian tar sands across North America -- would be really, really bad to build.
So, what does Hillary have to say? Referring to the Obama Administration's internal debate about the pipeline, she told journalists the following when pressed for a clear answer.
“And I’m sorry if people want me to. I have been very clear: I will not express an opinion until they have made a decision, and then I will do so.” Folks, that is not leadership. It is the opposite of leadership. Reading that sentence truly sickens me -- it is a cynical and weak answer to a serious question about a very serious issue.And what did Bernie have to say?
“It is hard for me to understand how one can be concerned about climate change but not vigorously oppose the Keystone pipeline.” That, my friends, is leadership. Bernie's answer is very clear: he would do everything possible to oppose construction of this pipeline.I've said it before and I'll say it again: it is essential that we "choose wisely" in this Democratic Primary.
The fate of our only home -- Planet Earth -- is literally in our hands.
I implore you: choose wisely, my friends. Choose wisely.