MAINE SUNDAY TELEGRAM • September 17, 2023
The natural disasters brought about by climate change this year have been both global and extreme. Here are just some of the “greatest hits” of 2023: The forests of Canada have been burning nonstop since May. We had historic flooding in Vermont in July. Extreme heat and drought in southern Europe now followed by extreme flooding. The devastating wildfires in Maui were driven by heat and winds from a nearby cyclone. Extensive floods in Brazil have displaced more than 3,500 people. Hilary became the first tropical storm to make landfall in Southern California in 80 years, dumping half a season’s worth of rain in the worst-hit areas. Hong Kong and the Chinese city of Shenzhen flooded by the heaviest rains on record. Republicans need to get their heads out of the sand and start trying to engage in meaningful negotiations with Democrats on climate policy before it is too late and today’s extreme weather events are no longer considered extreme. ~ Sam Rosenthal, retired engineer, Portland