We have been warned about impact of climate change for decades | Letters

Kudos to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for calling it like it is with the article “How climate change is supercharging rainfall” (Aug. 13).

Calling our recent flooding a “1000-year storm” may feel comforting by implying that it probably will not happen again in our lifetime. But the fact is that such severe storms with increasing rainfall is the new normal. We have been warned about this for decades. And we have not listened the way we should.

I have written Sen. Ron Johnson for years pleading for action, but was told that would be too expensive. Think of the expense of Milwaukee’s flooding, of the LA fires, the hurricanes and the droughts. Think of the increased cost of food as agriculture faces these uncertainties. Consider the expense as well to our lives and jobs and well-being.

Without action, our climate and our weather will only get worse. Thank you to the Journal Sentinel for bringing the issue of climate change to the reader’s attention. More media needs to follow suit.

Lorna Hilyard, Fox Point

Letters: I’m a Canadian. WI lawmaker should focus on real problem behind wildfires, smoke

We must tell ourselves the truth about why weather is acting ‘strangely’

Like most of us, my summer has been a mix of joyful appreciation of the gifts of longer days, being able to spend more time outside in the warmer weather — alongside the very unsettling feeling that comes with weather acting “strangely.” Days upon days of thick wildfire smoke, followed by old-testament sized rain events can leave a person downright discombobulated. And while it seems to be less troublesome, for me, the lack of snow each winter that is the new normal also feels very disconcerting.

Remember when snow cover was a near certainty from December to March? Do you remember the floods in the area in 1997? They were called a 500 year flood. And in 2008? Apparently, this amount of rain we just had was a 1000 year flood. Folks, the math does not add up anymore!

We love to talk about the weather, but we can’t seem to speak the truth about what we’re all living through. This is what Mother Nature feels like when amped up on way more CO2 than since our world became a great place for life to flourish.

We can make it better, but not without telling ourselves the truth.

Kevin O’Brien, Wauwatosa

Opinion: Her weekly children’s book reading video was interrupted by flood, but she’s back

Weather bad not just in Wisconsin but increasingly around the US

“Whatever happened to all the nice days?” article on the front page Aug. 13, couldn’t have been better written by Natalie Eilbert.

Many do know what happened but don’t feel anything can be done about the situation. However, we must react, because the weather is not just as bad as we experienced it in Wisconsin just recently but increasingly in many areas around the United States and the world. Note that last summer was the warmest on record ever and this summer is proving even hotter. And next summer?

But scientists throughout the world have proof of why weather disasters are increasing and show that the main cause of this is excess heating of the earth due to the overuse of fossil fuels and other greenhouse gases. We all need to greatly decrease their use starting yesterday. The US is one of the largest polluters on earth.

We need to opt for clean energy sources. We can and must get Congress and our state politicians to take greater action on the climate. If not, we must vote for candidates that will take action. Our health and lives depend on it.

Nancy Kriofsky, Brookfield

Opinion: Milwaukee flood shows need to stop believing myth and start climate resiliency

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