Don’t Discount The Effects

Of Global Warming

To the Editor:

Thank you for the informative article in last week’s edition regarding the various causes of our unusually warm winter. Unfortunately, I must take issue with the statement: “...forecasters said the mild winter does not necessarily mean global warming is upon us.”

I don’t know who these forecasters are, but I am alarmed by the suggestion that global warming is not threatening our planet, regardless of whether it is the sole cause of this warm winter. After all, the scientific community has overwhelmingly concluded that global warming is indeed upon us and the effects are disturbingly evident, from the melting of glaciers to the increasing number of high temperature records broken each year. It is estimated that global sea levels have risen 3.1 centimeters in the past decade alone, and polar bears are headed toward extinction due to the diminishing ice coverage at the North Pole. Detractors in the so-called debate on the subject are simply denying the consensus of the credible scientific community.

The article went on to cite “back-to-back blizzards” occurring in the plain states and “seven-foot snowdrifts” in Colorado to further the notion that global warming is not to blame for the climate changes we are seeing this year. In fact, an increase in storm activity, including heavier rain and snow, is one of the well-known results of global warming, a fact that makes the article’s author sound naive.

I understand the temptation to comfort oneself by denying the effects of greenhouse gases. But sadly, global warming is real, it is threatening our planet, and there is precious little time to slow down its effects and repair the damage we have incurred. We all have a responsibility to face this truth and to do our part as citizens, concerned about the health of the environment we will leave our children, to consciously reduce our daily output of carbon dioxide and voice our concerns to our government representatives.

I invite The Bee to please use your prominent role in the community to responsibly promote environmental awareness, rather than contribute to misunderstanding.

Thank you,

Miranda Pacchiana

Sandy Hook, January 8, 2007