Climate Change
It's real. It's bad.
We already have the tech to fix it.
Climate Change: It's Real
The science is certain.
The sky is blue, cigarettes cause cancer, and our climate is changing. It’s affecting us NOW.
Not feeling the heat?
If you have a fever of 101 – you’re sick.
Earth is the same way.
We’re an extra 2℉ (1.1℃) warmer than we were in the 1850’s.
That’s enough to change how wind, water and ice move around – and that changes where it’s hot, and where it’s dry and where it’s wet.
And that changes everything else.
Climate Change: It's Bad
Live on the Gulf Coast or East Coast?
- Warmer oceans mean stronger hurricanes. 200 mph winds will be an annual event.
- Annual floods will damage houses, roads, airports, sewage systems and more.
- Coastal property values are just starting to sink and flood insurance premiums are just starting to spike.
Live in the hurricane or tornado zone?
- Prepare to spend more time in your storm shelter.
- Category 5 storms could be annual events.
Live in the Southwest?
- You’re HOTTER and THIRSTIER.
Arizona has 35 more days over 100 degrees each year than it did in the 1950s. And that number is climbing. Are you a farmer or a rancher?
This year, for the first time ever, the Colorado River hit a low point that triggered water restrictions in 5 states.
Live in the Northwest?
- FIRE! This is not normal. It’s not antifa. It’s the megadrought. And there’s no end in sight.
We can fix this.
UN Goal: Fix it by 2050
- A panel of the world’s best scientists calculated that our best chance to keep climate change under control is to get to “Net Zero” emissions by 2050.
- Net Zero means we stop adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere – or that we take out as much as we put in.
That is TOTALLY DOABLE – if we start now.
The IPCC report is coming out tomorrow. As a climate scientist, I’d like you to know: I don’t have hope.
I have something better: certainty.
We know exactly what’s causing climate change. We can absolutely 1) avoid the worst and 2) build a better world in the process.— Kate Marvel (@DrKateMarvel) August 8, 2021
Clean Electricity by 2035
(25% of the problem)
- We have all the technology we need to cut 95% of greenhouse gases from electricity by 2035.
- Yes, it will be reliable 24/7.
- What will it cost? According to the US Dept of Energy – almost nothing – the savings would pay for the work. The sun and wind are free, gas and coal are not.
- Most utility companies have already started. But they need to be motivated to speed it up.
- Who says so? The U.S. Department of Energy says so.
Clean Transportation
(29% of the problem)
- Electric cars will solve half of the issue. But we do need to fix that electricity thing first.
- With a few years of work, trucks, ships and airplanes can switch to clean hydrogen.
- It will smell a lot better too.
Clean Industry
(23% of the problem)
The path to clean industry (and agriculture!)
- Keep improving efficiency.
- Scale up “Carbon Capture” which pulls greenhouse gas back out of the air.
- Bring the cost of clean hydrogen down.
- What will it cost? Globally, about $420 million a year.
That might sound steep. BUT – climate change costs the U.S. at least $100 billion a year in damage from storms, floods, drought and fires. That doesn’t include fatalities or health problems like asthma.
Jobs! Jobs! 3 MILLION JOBS!
Clean energy means a lot more good-paying, union jobs.
The transition to clean energy will create 3 million American jobs. That’s the Department of Energy estimate. It could be as high as 7 million.
Curious?
Get really smart about climate change really quick:
Hank Green is fast, fun and clear.
Bill Nye the Science Guy explains what greenhouse gases are, why they’re a problem and what we can do about it.
Wanna help?
Spread the facts.
When everyone gets it, it gets done.
Vote!
Vote in every local, state and federal election. Vote.org has all the info you need to register, vote and even get reminders.
Tell your Senators your views.
A staffer will log your call or email and give the count for and against to the Senator. It only takes a couple of minutes. Be sure to include your name and address.
