By now, we are all familiar with the fact that our current government is not too fond and keen on accepting the fact that the Earth’s temperature is annually increasing. In fact, the numbers have been incomprehensibly staggering since 1955-1980. It was a recorded at 0.3ºC, and in 2017 it stood at 0.9ºC (1.62ºF), clearly rising, according to Rebecca Lindsey and LuAnn Dahlman’s article “Climate Change: Global Temperature.” President Trump has often talked about his doubts and denial regarding the fact that human activity is a result of global warming. He has called global warming a “hoax” and has had climate change skeptics elected to run the Energy Department at the White House.

I recently had the honor to experience and listen to General (Ret.) Wesley Clark, at the Explorer’s Club located in New York, NY. Clark was valedictorian from his class at West Point, nominee for the 2004 presidential election, and current political activist. He talked about his views on climate change, but most importantly the current status of our planet. I was amazed and shocked at the same time. He tried to talk more about why America as a nation has to worry about preventable and impending weather catastrophes, rather than having the government lead and dictate which direction and stance we should take. He made comments based solely on facts. For example, he talked about the current administration and its stance on continuing using coal, natural gases, and nuclear energy. Clark boldly exclaimed that the citizens of America will see the impact from our current energy sources.

Our country needs to witness not only American prosperity in economics and politics, but our environment and living conditions as well. We need to strive to keep our world healthy and clean for the next generations. Since our current administration is not looking at a positive future in aiding the idea of global warming, the citizens of the United States and especially as the whole world need to come together to bring accurate information and depict a strong picture of what our planet Earth will become in the next few years.

Rebecca Lindsey and LuAnn Dahlman’s article can be found here: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-temperature.