David Voigts.

Recently, in less than a week, Texas, North Carolina, New Mexico, and Chicago, Ill. all experienced 1-in-1000-year rainfall events. Really weird. Moreover, this was not the only weird thing happening. Ocean currents are being altered, animal migration patterns of many birds and the monarch butterfly are changing, food systems are being stressed, and the world is having the hottest summer in probably the last 100,000 years.

The National Academy of Sciences contends that this weirdness has a common link – a warming climate. In addition, they predict all will worsen if the climate gets warmer. In spite of these risks to people and ecosystems, the Trump administration is curtailing programs that address climate change.

If the administration is wrong – and effects of climate change do worsen – our children will inherit a world that is very different from what we have now. However, if they are correct that climate change is no big deal, but our efforts to address climate change continue, our children will also inherit a world that is very different. Skies will be cleaner, homes and factories will be powered by cheaper clean energy, ecosystems will be protected, and oceans will thrive. The choice is ours.

David Voigts is a retired ecologist and the current Conservation Chair for the Prairie Rapids Audubon Society. He is a Tama County native, graduating from Dinsdale High School, and lives in rural Jesup on his wife’s family farm.