Time almost up for planet

By Nadia Paschal

It’s late October, but despite the changing leaves and shorter days, I still don’t feel like it’s fall. 

Temperatures are high and continue to rise with the weather forecast stating that it’s going to reach 71 degrees next week. Natural disasters keep striking and are becoming more severe. Climate change has gotten worse and it seems to have reached an irreparable point.

Florida was hit by two hurricanes within just one week of each other. Category 4 hurricane Helene made landfall Sept 24. Oct 9, Hurricane Milton struck and was designated a Category 3. 

Both of these storms caused massive damage, claiming a combined total of over 200 lives and leaving many residents displaced and without power.

These concerns may be brushed off, as Florida is a region that often experiences hurricanes. 

However, Hurricane Milton had 20% more rain and 10% stronger winds, according to the World Weather Attribution. Without the immense amount of fossil fuels burned each year, the storm would not have been as destructive.

Evidence of climate change is all around us, and so is the neutral attitude of many Americans. This issue affects everyone, no matter the region they are in. If the planet is destroyed, there is no backup or plan B. 

Yet, only 37% of Americans say this should be a top priority, and it ranks as number 17 out of 21 issues, according to a survey conducted by Pew Research Center in 2023.

There are headlines every day about this topic, but what can the average person do to help? 

Personally, I’ve done all that I can do. Use less water, recycle, invest in sustainable items, walk more and sign petitions. That’s not enough. 

There needs to be more action, and that is up to the government at this point. All we can do now is look at these headlines, be shocked and then move about our day.

I see this locally as well. Trash strewn about all over people’s yards and parking lots, polluted beaches and water and dumpsters full of items that could have been recycled and reused. If we can’t band together to do something simple, like keeping one town clean, how are we going to band together and rally for more widespread change?

In September 2020, a climate clock was built in New York City. Its purpose is to display how much time we have to stay under 1.5 degrees Celsius warming and prevent climate change from becoming irreversible. On the day of its debut, we had seven years and 102 days left to make change. Four years later, we now have four years and 270 days left. 

There is not much time left, and I am left wondering and fearful of what else is to come.