Recently, I spent a considerable amount of time reading and texting about the Trump/Biden debate, but I did take some time to shift my gaze southward to the Caribbean, where Tropical Storm Beryl spun up to Category 4 Hurricane Beryl in 24 hours. Most of its power to damage the Windward Islands will occur as a Category 3.
The rapid intensification is due primarily to rising sea surface temperatures. As a warm water area, the Caribbean is now hotter than historical records. Warm water is the engine that spawns and drives hurricane strength. Oceans are absorbing most of the heat created by the burning of fossil fuels. The forecast is for more powerful storms in 2024 — and beyond.
A thorough discussion of the role of sea surface temperatures and the climate can be found at climate.copernicus.eu.
Stronger hurricanes are only one result of rising sea surface temperatures. Other impacts include decimation of coral reefs (a sea life incubator), weakening the nexus between Antarctic and Greenland sea shelves and sea sheets (sea level rise), and the slowing of the ocean’s warm- and cold-water conveyor belt (temperature regulator). I urge you to spend an hour studying their importance to Earth’s life-supporting capability.
At the recent debate, former President Donald Trump was asked about climate change but proceeded to bombastically skirt the issue and bragged about removing the United States from the Paris Climate Accords. (Joe Biden reversed this incomprehensible decision.)
I applaud the voter who responded to a reporter’s question about his presidential choice with this comment: I’d vote for Biden over Trump if Biden were dead.
I prefer President Joe Biden to live and stay robust enough to continue supporting efforts to transition to a clean energy economy. It’s imperative that the climate-improving features of President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act be brought to fruition.
Lastly, among other reasons, I enthusiastically supported Democratic congressional candidate John Avlon, because he understands the imperative of addressing a changing climate.
Mike Anthony
Westhampton
Anthony is a former chair of the Southampton Democratic Committee — Ed.
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