"It Is a Time to Talk About Climate Change"

"In an interview with CNN on Thursday, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt said that now is not the time to talk about climate change.

'Here’s the issue,' he said. 'To have any kind of focus on the cause and effect of the storm, versus helping people, or actually facing the effect of the storm, is misplaced.'

Fortunately this is not a choice that need be made. There is vulgarity in politicizing tragedies for the sake of gaining power, and crassness in pointing fingers and placing blame instead of mourning a tragedy. But of course these aren’t the only options. In the interest of minimizing harm to people, it’s always an important time to talk about climate change. We don’t have to choose between helping current victims and working to prevent the next tragedy."

James Hamblin reports for the Atlantic September 8, 2017.

SEE ALSO:

"Pope Blasts Climate Change Doubters: Cites Moral Duty To Act" (AP)

"Major News Networks Are Failing To Explain That Hurricane Harvey Was Fueled By Climate Change" (Quartz)

"Fires, droughts and hurricanes: What's the link between climate change and natural disasters?" (Los Angeles Times)

"Four Little Discussed Ways That Climate Change Could Make Hurricanes Even Worse" (Washington Post)

"Powerful Storms Raise Questions About The Science Of Hurricanes" (NPR)

"Katrina. Sandy. Harvey. The Debate Over Climate And Hurricanes Is Getting Louder And Louder." (Washington Post)

"Hurricanes Are Sweeping The Atlantic. What's The Role Of Climate Change?" (NPR)

"6 Questions About Hurricane Irma, Climate Change and Harvey" (InsideClimate News)

"Hurricanes Irma, Harvey restart debate on climate change and warmer oceans" (McClatchy)

"Hurricanes Irma, Harvey and Jose Appearing At The Same Time Shows Climate Change Is Real And Getting Worse, Say Experts" (Independent)

"Hurricane Irma: A Practically Impossible Storm" (Wired)

"Sea Level Rise Is Speeding Up in Parts of the Southeastern U.S." (Scientific American)