By Jeff Holzem
The frigid weather gripping much of the country recently reminds me of what we experienced last fall. At that time, I was on a national conference call. Several of us complained how cold it was. Then a gentleman from Alaska said it was warmer in Anchorage than in Central Missouri. Being from the Show Me State, I began watching national temperatures in the News Tribune. Sure enough, during cold snaps here, temperatures in Anchorage and Juneau were higher than ours. Alaskans recently cancelled the Willow 300 Sled Dog Race because of lack of snow. Wondering how this could be, I did some research, and learned how global warming caused our cold snaps.
Climate is long term trends while weather can change daily. For example, in Central Missouri on Jan. 25, the temperature was near zero but rose to around 50 two days later. Soon the temperature dropped below zero again but approached 60 after a few more days. Weather, not climate, can alternate quickly between balmy and frigid days. On the other hand, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported 2014-18 were the five warmest years on record worldwide. Overall, the planet is getting warmer, but we can still have frigid days. Unfortunately, the Arctic is warming much faster than the rest of the world.
We have heard the term polar vortex often recently, but many of us do not understand how it works. The National Weather Service explains the polar vortex and how it makes us colder. The polar vortex is a mass of low pressure and cold air above both poles that gets weaker during the summer but stronger in the winter. The air mass is called a vortex because it rotates counter-clockwise. This air flow helps keep the colder air near the Poles. However, at the end of January climate warming increased the temperature in Morocco. The resulting excessive heat split the polar vortex, sending freezing temperatures much farther south.
Because we are experiencing more extreme weather events, a growing majority of Americans are concerned about climate change. Fortunately, we can slow climate change. The best action we can take is to support the bipartisan Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, HR763. The act places a fee on carbon that fossil fuel companies will pay when they drill or mine, then returns revenue collected back to households as a dividend. The fee will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 40 percent in its first twelve years. Not only will this slow climate change, the cleaner air will also improve our health. For most people the dividend will be more than the cost of living increases related to the fee, while adding 2.1 million jobs.
The Energy Innovation Act is drawing support from many individuals, businesses and organizations, including churches and faith-based groups. Bishop Frank J. Dewane, Chairman of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, welcomed the bipartisan legislation as an important step in addressing climate change and a hopeful sign that climate change is increasingly seen as a crucial moral issue. Dewane stated the dangerous effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent, so the need for legislative solutions like this is more urgent than ever. The Presbyterian Church USA and the Evangelical Environmental Network also view the bill as an opportunity to pursue our moral mandate to care for the planet and the most vulnerable.
Conservative groups, including RepublicEN and Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship, also back the bill because it allows the market rather than regulations to influence energy choices. The Climate Leadership Council proposed a very similar free market solution.
If you are concerned about the extreme weather we are having now, and want to slow climate change, urge U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer to cosponsor the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, HR763. It will significantly reduce carbon emissions that cause climate change. Encourage Sens. Roy Blunt and Josh Hawley to support the bill when it reaches the Senate.
Jeff Holzem is a member of the News Tribune Reader Advisory Board and is a group leader for the Jefferson City Citizens’ Climate Lobby/Citizens’ Climate Lobby.