Support efforts to combat climate change by lobbying

We repeatedly hear the term "climate change." Yet, in Florida, with this past winter having been very mild, it's difficult to see the "change."

However, in other parts of the country we have seen violent storms, record flooding and abnormal seasonal temperatures. At least 98 percent of climate scientists say these changes are primarily due to the increased burning of fossil fuels by man since the Industrial Revolution and particularly since 1950.

They indicate with verifiable proof the developments are not a part of natural historic climatic change over thousands of years. So what do we do to make this year's Earth Day count for our children and theirs?

We cannot accept the fact that someone else will address the problem or a technological breakthrough will occur. With this global crisis we must contact those in Florida and Washington who represent us and tell them our support depends on a bipartisan effort to address the issue of climate change in an effective way.

In Florida, Miami is being called the "New Atlantis" due to the intrusion of tidal flooding and salt water into their fresh water system. Fortunately, the city is taking action.

In the rest of the state, a majority of citizens live very near the coastline, and many have been lulled to sleep with the lack of a hurricane strike. When it does occur, its effects will be devastating if we don't prepare and formulate plans locally and nationally to mitigate its results.

Arm yourself with the facts and become more familiar with this crisis by supporting organizations like climatereality.org, the Citizens Climate Lobby or 350.org. To mark April 22's Earth Day, make a call. Your vote does matter and millions of voices will make this Earth Day count.

Jim Willard

Parrish

This story was originally published April 24, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Support efforts to combat climate change by lobbying ."