icouldbewrong.blog

Ah yes, the politics of climate change (“cc”) have certainly reared their heads in midwest areas racked by unprecedented flooding. But, as this article points out (see link below), in many areas in Iowa and elsewhere, the focus is not on the role of cc and human contributions to the phenomenon, the focus instead is what can and should we do about it in the short and longer terms?

Many of the mayors and others in the areas ravaged by persistent flooding (consistent with climate change research) want to avoid the rabbit hole of even mentioning the cc words because the terms have become so politically divisive.

Instead, as this article points out, despite the fact that so many mayors, farmers, and others in these regions understand that “something (different) is happening,” they eschew the terminology and try to keep the focus on pragmatically addressing more immediate flood-related problems.

From my perspective, I get it and, in many ways, I understand the political realities faced in these communities that discourage the mere mention of cc.

Many waste too much time arguing over whether cc and human contributions to it are “real” (short version, it’s real) and, thus, get distracted from the priority of what do we do?

In many of these areas in the midwest that are getting slammed they are purposely avoiding talk of cc which, words by themselves, mean nothing in terms of concrete action needed in these communities.

While I believe one cannot and should not ignore cc and humans’ role in it, we must find ways to talk about it without further dividing us. Ideally, our prez would take the lead on this, but that ain’t happening.

So, in the meantime, many, particularly in the midwest, continue to struggle through unprecedented adverse events while not mentioning cc.

Hey, I’m kinda ok with that cause many of these folks recognize that “something different” is going on. If that’s what it takes – different words – to get people to act not only in the short term with flood barriers, etc., but also in the longer term to reduce greenhouse gases, etc., so be it. Both need action.

Arguments over cc and humans’ role in it too often become intractable debates that lead to inertia and inaction, especially with a prez who sees nothing urgent about it.

Well, many of the farmers and others in Iowa and elsewhere do recognize that “something different” is going on and they are doing what they can, in the immediate and short run, to shore up their land and shorelines.

Now, will that translate to folks understanding that that “something different” (uh oh, cc?) is a much larger and urgent challenge for our future and our children’s future? I hope so.

But, of course, I could be wrong …

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/15/us/midwest-flooding-climate-change.amp.html