Editorial: Warm weather a mixed bag

From The Lookout Staff

While the feeling of having warm weather this early in the year may be nice, it actually should raise some concern as well. Spring has come early, as the groundhog predicted, but at what cost?

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2023 was by far the warmest year on record, and January of 2024 was the eighth recorded month in a row of record-high warmth. The NOAA predicts a 22 percent chance that 2024 will overtake 2023 as the warmest year on record.

The Lookout staff believes this is cause for concern. The rising temperatures can have lasting effects on the environment, creating drier conditions in some parts of the world, and wetter conditions in others. The lasting heat is contributing to melting glaciers, more wildfires in dry climates, and more severe storms than previously recorded.

We can all help on some scale with the effects of climate change by switching to renewable energy or cutting energy use at home, making sure to not buy more food – especially perishable foods – and using less water. But the biggest thing we can do to help is to speak out.

Talking about the issue that climate change is becoming can be more important than many realize. Spreading facts and information can allow more people to understand what they can do to help. You can even go as far as speaking to your local government officials.

This year is an election year. Our abilities to research and elect officials who support correcting climate change can mean changing our world for the better.