Climate: Drastic changes foretold long ago

Re: “Nothing to see here, say climate change deniers,” (TNT, 9/10).

In his column, Leonard Pitts Jr. ponders how it was that some folks who booked rooms years in advance to be in the path of totality during the recent eclipse (trusting the predictions of total darkness to the minute) are the same people who still question whether climate change is real.

Predictions of the earth’s warming due to an increase in emissions have been made since 1897 (120 years ago!). In the 60s and 70s, scientists predicted that rainfall would increase in intensity and duration; that heat waves and droughts would be prolonged; and that the Arctic would warm especially fast.

All of these predictions, unfortunately, have come to pass. Some 97 percent of scientists say the issue is settled; even the Exxon scientists (after years of denial) now concede that fact.

A group of concerned citizens have formed a local chapter of 350.org (350tacoma.org). We invite you to join our efforts to retain a livable world for our grandchildren.

This story was originally published September 22, 2017 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Climate: Drastic changes foretold long ago."