Climate change is becoming too costly

Elina Bishoyi | The Chronicle

The skies filled with hues of reds, oranges and grays, and the smoke-laced air are nothing short of an apocalyptic movie.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced that the costs for climate and weather disasters from January to August alone are at least a minimum of $1 billion – the largest amount ever spent on repairs for these types of events. The US has been battered with relentless tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, droughts and sweltering temperatures throughout history, but this year it is becoming too frequent to ignore.

Category 3 Hurricane Idalia devastated Florida with high winds and heavy flooding. Tropical Storm Hilary hit the West Coast and wildfires rampaged the island of Hawaii causing deaths of at least 115 residents. Heat advisories have been issued across multiple states, visibly tolling on workers primarily in the outdoors.

With our thoughts occupied with wars and horrific man-on-man destruction, climate change has waged war on all of us.

This year the headlines have read about hurricanes “threatening” both the East and West Coast and wildfires “encroaching” from up North as though the events themselves are at fault and not the entire population behind them.

I understand; seeing the world seemingly fall apart everyday on the news from the comfort of an air-conditioned desk at school has created a rift in our reality. What makes it worth our time to change it? Climate change cannot possibly affect us, can it?

We may be fortunate enough to avoid the disastrous hurricanes, rising water levels and blazing wildfires other regions of the world may need to face, yet, even in our own school, student-athletes are already facing the consequences of the world’s irresponsible actions with practices and meets canceled for terrible air-quality and excessive heat warnings.

Climate change has been referred to as an enigma looming over our futures, but look at the heat warnings and issues we, as students, are already facing when we simply walk outside.

So why do we refuse to acknowledge this issue, let alone fight for it?

One person recycling their plastic bottles or a metal straw fad that lasts a few months is not enough. As the generation that has to grow up in the consequences of the past, our efforts to change the course of climate change are a necessity.

It’s about an attitude change, not a “save the turtles” joke or an environmental drive meant to satisfy a checkbox for a club.

Environment change is no longer a feared word in headlines, it is here to stay if we don’t change our treatment of the environment.