The extraordinary phrase “A nation that destroys its soil destroys itself”, was written by President Roosevelt in a letter sent, on February 26, 1937, to all governors of the United States of America (USA). Almost 90 years ago, the reason for this letter was related to the need to combat soil erosion, but the scope of its meaning remains current.
In recent years, we have witnessed profound climate changes that significantly threaten people’s health and promote the destruction of our common home, planet Earth.
Worsening this situation, the current Trump Administration, of the 47th president of the same country as Roosevelt, took another critical step, on February 12th of this year, by dismantling climate policies by revoking several environmental regulations in force in the USA since 2009. This is a decision based on incorrect data, contrary to the most basic common sense, and dangerous for the health, safety and well-being of Americans and all of us.
Climate change is associated with an increase in Earth’s average temperatures, with heat waves becoming more frequent. For example, greenhouse gases emitted by automobiles, power plants and industrial facilities accumulate in the atmosphere like a blanket, trapping heat near the surface and raising global temperatures. Predictably, many regions of the world, including temperate zones, will face more days with temperatures high enough to threaten human life.
In summer, increased temperatures and aridity dry out forests, favoring the occurrence of forest fires. In winter, warmer air holds more moisture, increasing precipitation, intensifying storms and worsening flooding. In the oceans, rising water temperatures also contribute to the greater intensity of hurricanes and storms.
It is not possible to repair the damage and consequences of climate change without solving the problems upstream, at their source. It is repaired today to be destroyed again tomorrow. No country or region is large or powerful enough to solve this problem on a planetary scale.
Climate change constitutes one of the greatest challenges to the existence of Humanity. Its mitigation and desirable resolution require a global understanding of the causes and scope of this phenomenon. They also require a concerted effort from all of us and every nation in the world.
Leave a Reply