Guest Column: Climate change: it matters to us
Stuart Liebowitz
Pick a summer day in Douglas County. Any day. Step outside and take a deep breath, if you can — as the smoke from wildfires fills our lungs and the ash falls daily on our cars. Year after year, it seem it’s not only more of the same, but the same only more. And why not?
In July, we saw record high temperatures. Again. Our county has been designated in drought. Again, with areas of record low stream flows.
And with these wildfires comes a haze that shrouds the natural beauty of our landscape, seemingly in perpetuity. For those of us with heart and lung problems, even a simple daily walk can be dangerous.
It is clear that climate change offers a harbinger of things to come. And we look around and we see these things have already come. But Douglas County stands not in isolation but is part of what the world has witnessed these past several months.
We were part of the Summer of Climate MadnessL: A summer where the world saw the hottest July ever recorded — and the hottest three days ever recorderd, with thousands of heat records broken. This was followed by the hottest August ever recorded.
And before the cooling rains of fall wash away these memories, it is worth noting what has happened around the world. Yes, I know. Reciting facts rarely persuades. Seeing the world through selective filters too often results in further hardening of opposition. Still, it is important to lay out the facts. But to paraphrase the old Biblical saying: “Facts without works are dead.” So I will now cite both.
First the facts about what happened this summer:
Phoenix had 31 straight days of 110+ degrees temperatures, smashing the old record of 18 straight days. To make matters worse, they set an all-time low temperature high of 97 degrees.
In Iran, the combination of heat and humidity made the temperature equal to 152 degrees.
China reached a record 126 degrees in July with never before 27 straight days of 95+ degrees.
Italy — a record 118 degrees.
Mexico City — a record 121 degrees.
June was 1.89 degrees Celsius above the 20th century average, the first time a summer month was more than one degree higher than normal.
By mid-July, Canada set a record of 25 million acres burned from wildfires.
Parts of the Northeast saw two months of rain in two days.
And what accounts for the Summer of Climate Madness? Very simply — human-caused global warming. So concluded World Weather Attribution, a group of scientists that analyzed the possible causes of these extreme weather events.
But facts are not enough. Works are essential to address this climate crisis. Here are things to do:
On Saturday, Oct. 14, the Douglas County Global Warming Coalition will host the Smart Energy Green and Solar Tour. Beginning at 9 a.m., we will showcase three local examples of the latest technologies in these areas. The cost of $10 will cover lunch and transportation. To register go to [email protected] or call 541-672-9819.
On Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the Roseburg Library’s Ford Room, Dr. Nick Siler, associate state climatologist, will present the latest climate science. The discussion will cover what we can expect now and in the future.
On Monday, Nov. 13, also at 6:30 p.m. in the Ford Room, we will host a panel discussion: “Home Climate Solutions: How to Get Started.”
One final thought. I have always been taken with astronomy and the unfolding mysteries of the universe. With the discoveries by the James Webb Space Telescope and the thousands of planets found thus far, one thing is still certain. In the vastness of the cosmos and the extraordinary diversity that lies within it, we remain the only place which contains that precious thing we call life. And so, the saying on the wall hanging in my living room is more relevant than ever. It read, “Don’t blow it: A good planet is hard to find.”
Stuart Liebowitz
Pick a summer day in Douglas County. Any day. Step outside and take a deep breath, if you can — as the smoke from wildfires fills our lungs and the ash falls daily on our cars. Year after year, it seem it’s not only more of the same, but the same only more. And why not?
In July, we saw record high temperatures. Again. Our county has been designated in drought. Again, with areas of record low stream flows.
And with these wildfires comes a haze that shrouds the natural beauty of our landscape, seemingly in perpetuity. For those of us with heart and lung problems, even a simple daily walk can be dangerous.
It is clear that climate change offers a harbinger of things to come. And we look around and we see these things have already come. But Douglas County stands not in isolation but is part of what the world has witnessed these past several months.
We were part of the Summer of Climate MadnessL: A summer where the world saw the hottest July ever recorded — and the hottest three days ever recorderd, with thousands of heat records broken. This was followed by the hottest August ever recorded.
And before the cooling rains of fall wash away these memories, it is worth noting what has happened around the world. Yes, I know. Reciting facts rarely persuades. Seeing the world through selective filters too often results in further hardening of opposition. Still, it is important to lay out the facts. But to paraphrase the old Biblical saying: “Facts without works are dead.” So I will now cite both.
First the facts about what happened this summer:
Phoenix had 31 straight days of 110+ degrees temperatures, smashing the old record of 18 straight days. To make matters worse, they set an all-time low temperature high of 97 degrees.
In Iran, the combination of heat and humidity made the temperature equal to 152 degrees.
China reached a record 126 degrees in July with never before 27 straight days of 95+ degrees.
Italy — a record 118 degrees.
Mexico City — a record 121 degrees.
June was 1.89 degrees Celsius above the 20th century average, the first time a summer month was more than one degree higher than normal.
By mid-July, Canada set a record of 25 million acres burned from wildfires.
Parts of the Northeast saw two months of rain in two days.
And what accounts for the Summer of Climate Madness? Very simply — human-caused global warming. So concluded World Weather Attribution, a group of scientists that analyzed the possible causes of these extreme weather events.
But facts are not enough. Works are essential to address this climate crisis. Here are things to do:
On Saturday, Oct. 14, the Douglas County Global Warming Coalition will host the Smart Energy Green and Solar Tour. Beginning at 9 a.m., we will showcase three local examples of the latest technologies in these areas. The cost of $10 will cover lunch and transportation. To register go to [email protected] or call 541-672-9819.
On Wednesday, Oct. 25, at 6:30 p.m. in the Roseburg Library’s Ford Room, Dr. Nick Siler, associate state climatologist, will present the latest climate science. The discussion will cover what we can expect now and in the future.
On Monday, Nov. 13, also at 6:30 p.m. in the Ford Room, we will host a panel discussion: “Home Climate Solutions: How to Get Started.”
One final thought. I have always been taken with astronomy and the unfolding mysteries of the universe. With the discoveries by the James Webb Space Telescope and the thousands of planets found thus far, one thing is still certain. In the vastness of the cosmos and the extraordinary diversity that lies within it, we remain the only place which contains that precious thing we call life. And so, the saying on the wall hanging in my living room is more relevant than ever. It read, “Don’t blow it: A good planet is hard to find.”
Letter from Jamie Pang
Senior Program Director, Environmental Health
Dear Stuart,
No one should have to choose between their health and a paycheck. Extreme heat and climate-related natural disasters pose unique and increasing risks for workers. That’s why OEC and our partners have been hard at work following the 2023 Legislative Session engaging in OR OSHA’s rulemaking for the Right to Refuse Dangerous Work. And we need your voice!
What is the Right to Refuse Hazardous and Dangerous Work?
OEC and our partners successfully advocated for SB 907 in the 2023 Legislative Session to expand heat and smoke protections for workers.
This right to refuse is already a federal and state right, but in practice, it is difficult to exercise. Workers often face retaliation when they try to exercise such a right. SB 907 makes it an act of discrimination to retaliate against, fire, or refuse to hire a worker who, in good faith, refused to work in hazardous conditions that would have reasonably resulted in serious injury or death. This can range from unsafe equipment, or being asked to work in the middle of a natural or climate disaster.
However, despite the bill sponsor’s legislative intent, OR OSHA has not included explicit language beyond unsafe equipment in their draft rule. This leaves out things like climate, environmental, manmade, biological and natural hazards.
Here’s how you can help
Your voice matters! Please testify at one of these virtual hearings (talking points below) that OSHA is hosting this month, and tell OR OSHA you want to see stronger language surrounding environmental hazards:
- Friday, October 20 at 10:00 AM (Register here)
- Monday, October 23 at 5:30 PM (Register here)
- Wednesday, October 25 at 6:30 PM ** This hearing will be held entirely in Spanish**(Register here)
- Thursday, October 26 at 2:00 PM (Register here)
Speak up to protect Oregon workers!
Thank you,
Jamie Pang
Senior Program Director, Environmental Health