Climate Change Denialism

by John Grusenmeyer, Sustainable Plant Systems-Agronomy major

Climate change is a highly politicized issue that cuts straight across party lines. The political fighting and animosity between the camps of those for and against the idea of climate change is overwhelming and disappointing. Americans need to stop this ridiculous fight and focus on what is happening in the world:

1. Close to 1.6 million people in China die every year from the effects of excessive smog- that is 4,400 people every day!¹
2. The top ten warmest years on record: 2014, 2010, 2005, 1998, 2013, 2003, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2007. ²
3. A few facts from the International Union for Conservation of Nature³:
   1. At threat of extinction are:
      1. 1 out of 8 birds
      2. 1 out of 4 mammals
      3. 1 out of 4 conifers
      4. 1 out of 3 amphibians
      5. 6 out of 7 marine turtles
   2. 75% of genetic diversity of agricultural crops has been lost
   3. 75% of the world’s fisheries are fully or over exploited
   4. 1/3rd of reef-building corals around the world are threatened with extinction

Whatever your political views, shouldn’t we work towards a more sustainable future? What kind of planet do we want to leave our children who will live on a planet with an additional 3-4 billion people?

And from another angle, regardless of whether or not we caused it, the planet’s climate WILL change. The Earth’s climate has been changing since its formation. The question is, can we adapt to the changes?

If we work together, we can adapt in an ever changing world and work towards a sustainable future where we live in a way that sustains both ourselves and the plants and animals that we depend on.

So America, shall we keep having a pointless fight or have a debate over something real and tangible that we can do to work towards a peaceful and sustainable world?

1. www.nytimes.com/2015/08/14/world/asia/study-links-polluted-air-in-china-to-1-6-million-deaths-a-year.html?_r=0
2. climate.nasa.gov/blog/2224
3. www.globalissues.org/article/171/loss-of-biodiversity-and-extinctions

John Grusenmeyer is a junior at The Ohio State University studying agronomy. Growing up on a farm in Miami County, Ohio sparked his interest in agriculture. After graduation, he hopes to use his education to volunteer with an organization where he can help reduce poverty and hunger through agricultural improvements.

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This blog post was an assignment for Societal Issues: Pesticides, Alternatives and the Environment (PLNTPTH 4597). The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the class, Department of Plant Pathology or the instructor.