What is so frustrating is that we already know where this story will go. The climate will get worse. The deadly impacts, already being felt all around the world, will increase.
Thank you Mr. Rather for your eloquence and sincere conviction re: the most important issue in the history of mankind...CLIMATE CHANGE. I am also in the twilight of my life and although our planet may also be in its waning years, I have faith that following generations shall indeed find the means to resolve this issue and preserve our species. In the interim, I shall continue to be a part of and advance the efforts of those who feel as you. You are indeed an insparation to all!
Everyone should watch Al Gore's Presentation on Climate Change for a rude awakening on how things will change if we do not make changes to save our planet now.
Thank you for this beautifully written piece. I retired early from diagnosing disease (surgical pathologist) to address this issue full time, and I am not alone. Check out the Citizens' Climate Lobby. As Marshall Saunders, the founder of CCL, said: "We (average everyday citizens) are the cavalry!" Join us in creating the political will for a livable world. https://citizensclimatelobby.org/
The most appropriate comment made on the subject of climate was Greta’s “blah, blah, blah’ blah”. How pathetic, selfish and short-sighted we are as one of the richest countries. And Manchin and 50 GOP Senators don’t give a shit. Kick the plastic down the street…
Thank you Dan, for writing so eloquently on a subject that has been keeping me awake at night since I was a kid watching you on the nightly news. I’m 39 now with a 6 year old daughter and will do everything in my power to protect her generation from the global devastation already in motion as a result of our collective inaction and unchecked consumerism. Please help your readership to take action by continuing to shine a light on efforts and resources as you discover them. Appreciate your voice in this fight!
Have you read Katherine Hayhoe’s book “Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World”? She looks for common grounds upon which to have conversations about the impact of climate change. I highly recommend it.
I'd love to hear about ways to help push climate change solutions to our politicians. Calling our senators seems pointless...we need large groups to make a difference.
I remember seeing how frightening smog had become on both coasts before something was done about it. What I was seeing was real and thankfully, real change did happen. Those who didn't see it in real-time might have had a hard time believing that it was that bad and that there were solutions. Now with the sharp increase in climate disasters people are once again seeing what cannot be denied. It's unfortunate that things had to get this bad before people got the wake-up call but indeed we cannot afford to let one individual who would rather profity by inaction hold a position in our government.
Indeed we need to. Reading your essay was a reminder of what was, what was seemingly the Great American Progress of the 40’s and 50’s. Post war building of homes, roads, cars. In a lot of cities, mass transit was removed in favor of cars. Coal smoke has belched into the air since the Industrial Revolution - how many died to dig coal out of the ground worldwide? Now that we know and can know how to do it differently we have those who made tons of money off the deaths of humans and the climate who don’t want anything to change. Manchin and the GOP will never give in - they are bought and sold.
What I learned from David Attenborough's "A Life on Our Planet" (on Netflix) is that 4.5 billion-year-old Earth will go on spinning around the sun and at the current rates of our effect on land, sea, and air we'll destroy ourselves. But his message, too, is a hopeful one. He tells us how we can save ourselves: the ways we can live as "a part of the Earth, not apart from the Earth".
I've been a conservationist since junior high in the 60's when I read Silent Spring and then celebrated the first Earth Day in 1970 during my senior year of high school. I despair that we will not get ahead of this.
Just how dangerous the fossil fuel industry is and is willing to crunch everyone who dares to oppose them has become clear with the example of the environmental lawyer Steven Donziger. He dared to sue Chevron because of their massive oil spill in the Amazon forest on behalf of the indigenous people and won the lawsuit only to be now in prison. For the first time in US history in such a case, he was prosecuted not by the US Justice Dept, but by a private attorney who worked for Chevron. He is wearing an ankle brace for more than 800 days and can’t leave his flat.
This is outrageous and for a government who said to be environmentally friendly, the people, lawyers who fight for it should be protected by the law.
I live in Ireland and can not understand that there is not an outrage in your country. This story should be all over the news.
Nothing will change in regards of climate change if this man is still in prison because no other journalist dares to speak the truth when the consequences are unlawful prison sentence.
Thank you, Dan, and Company
Thank you Mr. Rather for your eloquence and sincere conviction re: the most important issue in the history of mankind...CLIMATE CHANGE. I am also in the twilight of my life and although our planet may also be in its waning years, I have faith that following generations shall indeed find the means to resolve this issue and preserve our species. In the interim, I shall continue to be a part of and advance the efforts of those who feel as you. You are indeed an insparation to all!
Everyone should watch Al Gore's Presentation on Climate Change for a rude awakening on how things will change if we do not make changes to save our planet now.
Thanks so much, Dan Rather. Your insight is always welcomed and appreciated. Please continue as your voice needs to be heard.
Thank you for this beautifully written piece. I retired early from diagnosing disease (surgical pathologist) to address this issue full time, and I am not alone. Check out the Citizens' Climate Lobby. As Marshall Saunders, the founder of CCL, said: "We (average everyday citizens) are the cavalry!" Join us in creating the political will for a livable world. https://citizensclimatelobby.org/
The most appropriate comment made on the subject of climate was Greta’s “blah, blah, blah’ blah”. How pathetic, selfish and short-sighted we are as one of the richest countries. And Manchin and 50 GOP Senators don’t give a shit. Kick the plastic down the street…
Thank you Dan, for writing so eloquently on a subject that has been keeping me awake at night since I was a kid watching you on the nightly news. I’m 39 now with a 6 year old daughter and will do everything in my power to protect her generation from the global devastation already in motion as a result of our collective inaction and unchecked consumerism. Please help your readership to take action by continuing to shine a light on efforts and resources as you discover them. Appreciate your voice in this fight!
Have you read Katherine Hayhoe’s book “Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World”? She looks for common grounds upon which to have conversations about the impact of climate change. I highly recommend it.
I'd love to hear about ways to help push climate change solutions to our politicians. Calling our senators seems pointless...we need large groups to make a difference.
I remember seeing how frightening smog had become on both coasts before something was done about it. What I was seeing was real and thankfully, real change did happen. Those who didn't see it in real-time might have had a hard time believing that it was that bad and that there were solutions. Now with the sharp increase in climate disasters people are once again seeing what cannot be denied. It's unfortunate that things had to get this bad before people got the wake-up call but indeed we cannot afford to let one individual who would rather profity by inaction hold a position in our government.
How in the world do I get my husband to recognize that climate change is real and a crisis?!
Indeed we need to. Reading your essay was a reminder of what was, what was seemingly the Great American Progress of the 40’s and 50’s. Post war building of homes, roads, cars. In a lot of cities, mass transit was removed in favor of cars. Coal smoke has belched into the air since the Industrial Revolution - how many died to dig coal out of the ground worldwide? Now that we know and can know how to do it differently we have those who made tons of money off the deaths of humans and the climate who don’t want anything to change. Manchin and the GOP will never give in - they are bought and sold.
What I learned from David Attenborough's "A Life on Our Planet" (on Netflix) is that 4.5 billion-year-old Earth will go on spinning around the sun and at the current rates of our effect on land, sea, and air we'll destroy ourselves. But his message, too, is a hopeful one. He tells us how we can save ourselves: the ways we can live as "a part of the Earth, not apart from the Earth".
I've been a conservationist since junior high in the 60's when I read Silent Spring and then celebrated the first Earth Day in 1970 during my senior year of high school. I despair that we will not get ahead of this.
#FreeDonziger#
Just how dangerous the fossil fuel industry is and is willing to crunch everyone who dares to oppose them has become clear with the example of the environmental lawyer Steven Donziger. He dared to sue Chevron because of their massive oil spill in the Amazon forest on behalf of the indigenous people and won the lawsuit only to be now in prison. For the first time in US history in such a case, he was prosecuted not by the US Justice Dept, but by a private attorney who worked for Chevron. He is wearing an ankle brace for more than 800 days and can’t leave his flat.
This is outrageous and for a government who said to be environmentally friendly, the people, lawyers who fight for it should be protected by the law.
I live in Ireland and can not understand that there is not an outrage in your country. This story should be all over the news.
Nothing will change in regards of climate change if this man is still in prison because no other journalist dares to speak the truth when the consequences are unlawful prison sentence.
Thank you for so clearly warning of the urgency of action now!