The media finally is adequately reporting the climate change disasters occurring in America. On Aug. 26, PBS news reporters interviewed four Americans suffering disasters from massive floods, drought and excessive heat. They also had a scientist who predicted these disasters are going to increase.

Since the beginning of 2024, there have been 20 disasters in the U.S., and each has cost more than a $1 billion. These poor people are suffering, and taxes will increase to provide relief and to help them rebuild. Despite improved reporting on disasters, there was no discussion about how these crises can be slowed down. These suffering people were offered no explanation or hope.

We know that climate change is caused by increasing CO2 levels and that 75% of that CO2 comes from our burning of fossil fuels. The technology exists to move to renewables, and many renewable options are cheaper than using fossil fuels. We need the media to now be reporting the cause as well as the disasters.

Fossil fuel industries do not want their role in climate change to be pointed out, and many legislators, supported by fossil fuel interests, try to avoid the issue. Despite the fossil fuel industry’s attempts to deflect the conversation from the main cause of climate change, scientists know it is possible to drastically slow climate change. The transition to renewables is happening, but slowly. We need to tell our legislators we want strong legislation now that supports a rapid transition to renewables.

Nancy Hasenfus
Brunswick