By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
It’s hurricane season and if you live in certain parts of the country, you know exactly what I am saying. Each year between the months of June and November, you pay closer attention to weather reports. Life has certain trepidations, and weather is one of them. It is one of the factors that can greatly influence the quality of our life. We live where we live knowing the rewards and the risks of being there.
We want “nice” weather all the time. It doesn’t work that way. We live on the Gulf Coast and the weather is enjoyable much of the year. If you live in this region, you know that you can use your grill well into November and December.
There is also another side to living in a nice weather region as these regions are susceptible to tropical storms and to hurricanes. Hearing and using terms like wind damage, flooding and power outages are commonplace.
Recently, areas off the coast of Texas and Louisiana prepared for a tropical storm which later became a hurricane. It was a category 2 hurricane named Francine and came ashore in south-eastern Louisiana. It had winds of more than 100 mph.
Instantly and abruptly, lives were altered and turned around. Families were distressed and daily routines stopped. Schools and stores were closed because of this violent weather event.
Shelters were opened in some parts of the Bayou State providing much-needed relief for residents. The American Red Cross was also there to assist in the recovery efforts.
Now, citizens are contacting insurance companies for estimates and repairs. Of course, some of the estimates will have a lot of money attached to them. At some point, rates will increase if history repeats itself.
Another challenge is that some of us are in a constant state of rebuilding and repairing. By the time one re- pair has been completed, another hurricane comes along to undo the repair. It can be a frustrating and painful experience. Some residents have chosen to leave some states because of it.
Fires, floods, tornados, earthquakes and hurricanes seem to be happening more frequently these days. Science and technology have given us reasons why what is happening today didn’t happen back in the day.
Experts use the terms climate change and global warming to explain these natural events. Climate Action on the United Nations website says, “Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or large volcanic eruptions. But since the 1800’s human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas.”
Some years back, former vice president Al Gore, then a member of the US House of Representatives held the first congressional hearings on climate change and co-sponsored hearings on toxic waste and global warming. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate). He said at the time, “It is a threat that is real, rising, imminent and universal.”
Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris said, “Climate change is very real. You ask anyone who lives in a state who has experienced these extreme weather occurrences who now is either being denied home insurance or it’s being jacked up; you ask anybody who has been the victim of what that means in terms of losing their home, having nowhere to go.”
As a nation, climate change is affecting all of us. Keeping the issue front and center will be important as we move closer to the November presidential election. The Harris-Walz ticket realizes the importance of it to the American people. Let’s cast our ballot for them for a cleaner and safer environment.
Dr. James B. Ewers, Jr. is a longtime educator who hails from Winston Salem, N.C. Ewers is a life member of the NAACP and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
