When it comes to the environment, each of us can make a difference with how we vote this fall
September 1, 2024
By Douglas Owens-Pike
Wheeler, WI
Editor's Note: The Hay River Review welcomes Opinion Pieces and Letters to the Editor. Submissions may be shared online, in our monthly print edition, or both. To submit content for consideration, please email Editor.HayRiverReview@gmail.com.
Evidence indicates that the Arctic is warming even faster than the worldwide average, according to data released by the National Snow and Ice Data Center. That warmth has led to a jet stream pattern that locks into a static position. Formerly, we experienced the jet stream sliding from west to east across North America. The amplitude of the wave is now also greater. Now, the jet stream surges farther north, picking up colder air in winter. Then turns south, gathering more humidity as it dips as far south as the Gulf Coast. The combined effect is more severe weather.
These new extreme weather events are exaggerated by more carbon in the atmosphere. Burning fossil fuels shoots a variety of pollution gasses into the air above us. This new combination of gases that result from human activities holds in more heat than what formerly escaped out into space. Warmer air holds more water.
Since the jet stream is more static, we now experience either strong drought (our last several growing seasons) or steady rain falling on a nearly daily basis (our current growing season). According to the Wisconsin State Climatology Office’s May and Spring 2024 Climate Summary:
“Our wet spring [2024] led to a dramatic alleviation of drought conditions in Wisconsin that emerged June, 2023 and persisted ever since. The U.S. Drought Monitor depicted maximum drought conditions last September, followed by improvement during autumn, but then a secondary peak in the middle of March due to the dry late-winter season."
That was followed by a record-breaking wet May.
On March 19, 2024, all but a few SE WI counties were in moderate to severe drought. By May 28 only a half dozen counties were just abnormally dry. The remainder of Wisconsin was free of drought stress.
Thus, depending on which part of the jet stream is over us, we now rely on the easy weather prediction of More Of the Same (MOS). If it is raining, expect more rain. If you are too dry, expect more drought. This summer, moving either east or west you would feel dramatically hotter air than what we have had the pleasure of enjoying. What we need to reduce the impact of these problems are policies and funding that are more proactive rather than reactive.
Oil companies invested in a multipronged campaign to resist the transition away from fossil fuels. A May 26, 2022 report released by the Joint Economic Committee Democrats, “Oil Companies Are Enjoying Market Influence and Record Profits, While U.S. Families Foot the Bill for High Gas and Energy Prices,” shows that oil companies continue to make tens of billions of dollars every quarter. Some portion of oil profits should be diverted to reduce our Federal debt that has been fueled by the problems generated by burning coal, oil, and gas.
Vermont has suffered extreme flooding damage several times this season. In May, the Associated Press reported that Vermont became the first state to enact a law requiring oil companies to pay for damage from climate change. The state has filed a lawsuit seeking compensation from Exxon/Mobile and the other major oil companies.
Fifty years ago, oil company scientists predicted the problems their emissions would create. Instead of taking a morally responsible approach, their public relations campaign effectively stopped meaningful early adoption of less polluting options to fuel our economy.
Each of us can make a difference with how we vote this fall. We have an opportunity, given new legislative districts in Wisconsin.
The difference between the two parties could not be more stark on the issue of transitioning toward a future with less pollution disrupting our weather. WI Republicans in the State Assembly and Senate have steadfastly denied climate change is a problem and blame Democrats for trying to reduce options for sources of energy. They claim the weather has always fluctuated, versus science revealing a steadily increasing array of catastrophic problems associated with burning fossil fuels.
Redlining is a practice that keeps families with lower incomes living in neighborhoods with the greatest concentration of pollution. We can turn this around to ensure mature trees and better air quality around all neighborhoods. None of us need to suffer if we make the transition to renewable energy sources and more efficiency. Imagine allowing the best opportunities for those who struggle at the bottom of our economic system.
Your vote can help ensure that we continue the transition toward proven methods to reduce emissions that have caused much havoc. Let’s seek greater corporate responsibility and get the wealthiest individuals and corporations to pay more taxes.
Comments