The following article was written by Scientist Emeritus, U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Discipline, and retired water engineer Jeff Steuer.
As a concerned citizen—not an expert—I’ll discuss excess carbon in the atmosphere and our current Climate Reality at my presentation at Manitowoc Public Library on Monday, January, 20, at 6 PM in the Balkansky Community Room. You’ll get a glimpse of my family, my motivation, and a view from a Coast Guard icebreaker.
Carbon emissions from the burning of coal, oil, and natural gas have increased significantly since World War II, all of which has added to our earth’s “natural insulation blanket”. As a result, earth is experiencing more intense rainfall events, larger floods, stronger hurricanes, more fires, and deeper droughts. We’ll examine how this extreme weather damages roads, bridges, dams, power plants, and our drinking water systems. It hits our pocketbooks costing over 1-trillion dollars across the United States during the past 7 years. More importantly, the burning of fossil substantially damages our health.
But, what we are doing to the atmosphere can be corrected. Carbon emissions can be reduced by using wind turbines, solar panels, electric vehicle transportation, regenerative farming, and clean hydrogen industrial processes to name a few options. Storage systems can be implemented to ensure adequate energy for when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun not shining. Several countries have already moved to improve their carbon footprint by implementing these systems.
Renewable energy solutions available to us NOW are cheaper than oil and natural gas in addition to being safer for workers and the environment. Renewable energy will strengthen the economy and be healthier for all of us. We will have less pollution in the atmosphere and a reduction of the disease that comes with it. I’ve come to realize that should we choose to fix the climate, in many ways, we can have a better planet than we have had since WWII.
But, we have to choose to correct the atmosphere and we cannot afford to delay. The change from horse transportation to car (which took approximately 20 years), the digital revolution, and rapid worldwide cell phone usage all indicate we can do it.
So, during our 45 minutes together, I’ll touch on the science, talk about if we need to change, and if we can change. Along the way, we’ll view and discuss photos spanning the globe, as well as what is happening close to home. We’ll look back 10,000 years and examine the past couple of years. And I’ll detail opportunities to make a difference should you so choose. I look forward to learning from you.
I am a retired US Geological Survey water engineer and in 2021 I received Climate Reality Project training where world-renowned scientists, activists and innovators enable citizens to lead the global fight for climate solutions (https://www.climaterealityproject.org/training).
I look forward to seeing you on Monday, January 20, and conversing with you on this important topic.