Skeptics of climate change won’t accept reality | Opinion
Many climate skeptics brush off warnings of climate change as being “alarmist” because they believe the effects of climate change are exaggerated or inconsequential. Someone who heavily discounts climate change would believe that priority should be given to more pressing issues. However, recent nationwide catastrophes resulting from extreme weather show that it is a present issue that is causing problems right now.
You don’t have to look far to see how climate change is already causing economic troubles. Recent news reports have documented how the heat wave that is sweeping the nation has killed thousands of cattle in Kansas last week. It was reported that at least 2,000 cattle died following a surge in temperatures up to 104 F. The cattle were valued to be worth around $2,000 a head.
Beyond that, there has also been news coverage of the flooding in Yellowstone National Park, caused by heavy rainfall and snowmelt, that wiped out roads and buildings. This has resulted in substantial losses for the local towns that rely on the park’s tourism for income. It was reported that several small Montana towns near Yellowstone are having hotels shut down and staff laid off.
Both of these crippling events were just in the last week. There was also recent severe flooding in Florida following Potential Tropical Cyclone One. This led to cars being abandoned after stalling in flooded roads. It is known that climate change likely causes more extreme weather events.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has previously stated in a notice that heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths, and workers in agriculture and construction jobs are among the highest at risk. Following this notice, Florida lawmakers introduced SB 732 during this past legislative session. The bill was meant to help prevent heat illness for Florida workers who regularly perform work outside. The bill died in the Senate Health Policy Committee and did not receive much traction. A similar bill was passed for student athletes in 2020, after a high school football player died of a heat stroke.
Despite SB 732 failing, it shows that the effects of extreme heat are on the radar for Florida’s lawmakers and may present a bigger issue in the future of state politics. This is also apparent by the Florida Department of Agriculture launching a heat illness prevention campaign. The effects of rising heat are already apparent. With 18 of the last 19 years being the hottest on record, and the current heat waves, it is looking like it could become a bigger problem for the Florida work force. Particularly for the construction and agricultural sectors.
Skeptics dismiss climate change as something we do not need to presently worry about, as they believe the effects would not be felt in any significant way and that it would be better to focus on more immediate policy matters. However, it can be seen that the effects of climate change are already being felt much quicker and more sudden than many initially thought.
Michael Manias is a recent Florida State University College of Law graduate and is currently studying for the Florida Bar Exam. His coursework included environmental and climate law and policy.
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This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Skeptics underestimate the present impact of climate change | Opinion
