12/3/2015
The
effects of climate change are grossly unfair. As India’s prime minister Narendra
Modi stated Nov. 30, “Climate change is not of our making. But we in India face
its consequences today. We see it in the risks to our farmers, the changes in
weather patterns, and the intensity of natural disasters.”
In
our Valley, climate change will have a disproportional effect on the poor and
vulnerable. More frequent heat waves may overwhelm their swamp coolers and air
conditioners and spike their electricity bills. Farm workers and other outdoor
workers will face higher risks of dehydration and heat stroke as summer
temperatures rise to record levels.
Higher
temperatures cause production of more ozone, so persons with asthma, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, heart conditions – and especially children –will
suffer more often. More frequent wildfires will foul our air with fine
particles. Those higher health care costs will be borne by all of us – rich and
poor.
We
need a healthy climate that doesn’t threaten the health of the least deserving.
I sincerely hope the ongoing Paris climate talks make real progress toward
addressing this issue.
It’s
not only the fair thing to do – it’s the smart thing to do.
Don Gaede
Fresno
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