The heat is on — and it’s no joke

Now that the temperatures outside are in the triple digits, there is no better time to talk about global warming and its devastating, present and future impacts — especially, how it affects our lives in Southern Nevada. Yes, I’m aware this is a topic like religion and politics at a family gathering; no one wants to talk about it.

Why is that?

Is it because it can be complicated to understand? Maybe.

Is it because we think it is someone else’s fault or problem? Perhaps.

Or is it because we think it is too big for one person to make a difference? Possibly, but let’s do the math.

Understanding the Big Picture

I have reread my recent Green Living columns, and although we covered major issues such as reducing consumerism, conserving energy, water shortages and recycling, I was left feeling that I am not representing the magnitude of the problem and the real reason why we even have this column.

Let’s simplify the problem.

One of the most common misconceptions about climate change is the difference between weather and climate. Weather is the condition in one place at one time, such as the day in February when Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., mockingly brought a snowball to Congress to show and tell how cold it was. Climate, on the other hand, refers to long-term trends.

The change we are experiencing in climate relates to the unprecedented increase of greenhouse gases. This increase has led to alarming changes in average global temperatures and climate trends. It is clear that the increase of greenhouse gas accumulation in the atmosphere comes from the increase of people on this planet and our varied energy intensive activities.

How important is food, water, asthma-free air and safety really?

Because of this rise in greenhouse emissions, we are already seeing an increase in weather extremes, longer and more damaging forest fires, longer and stronger storms, more severe droughts and more frequent and intense heat waves, just to name a few. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, without immediate action to reduce our emissions, we will run the risk of energy and water supply shortages, eventual food shortages, costly and growing health impacts such as longer, more intense allergy seasons, increases in asthma cases and insect-borne diseases.

Inconveniences

My husband and I moved to Japan shortly after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. That summer the government shut down all the nuclear reactors, which forced us to make conservation changes along with the rest of the population. We kept our summer thermostats between 79 and 82 degrees, used more stairs than escalators and were extraconscious about our energy use.

Other changes we’ve made living in Japan include walking or biking to work, eating plenty of locally grown vegetables, solar drying our clothes (clothesline), letting our dishes drip-dry and, as mentioned in the previous column, recycling, which is almost an art form in Japan. Despite the many small changes we have made, I often wonder if our actions are enough.

The Blame Game

The blame game is easy. Can’t we blame the city planners from decades past for creating Southern Nevada as a suburban sprawl instead of a convenient walking city with efficient mass transit? Yes, but the citizens of other cities, such as Portland, Ore., and Denver, have demanded changes and now enjoy efficient bus lines and free light rail.

Besides demanding necessary mass transit from our leaders, how about carpooling, walking or riding bikes to some of our events or errands. This also can help us shed some pounds instead of driving a mile to the gym.

Can’t we also blame the big corporate power industries? Even if we save energy, what stops the energy companies from continuing to use carbon producing fossil fuels? Well, people do.

Many organizations have banded together to help retire hundreds of coal plants in the past decade alone. Also, residential solar installations in the United States have grown rapidly in the region. Many are taking the power choice in their own hands.

And what about consumerism? Can we remain ignorant to corporations planned obsolescence, whereby making us want a new model even while the old model is still good. Isn’t it really their fault? Well, that may be pushing the blame a bit too far.

Although governments, businesses and all organizations certainly carry heavy responsibilities, we are the ones who buy, eat, move, use and consume in abundance, as if our resources were unlimited.

Is enough really enough?

So, what do we need to change?

Certainly, switching to plant-based diets, traveling less and learning to be happy with what we have are all good starts. But is it enough?

This month, NASA released detailed climate projections showing how all areas will need to adapt to climate change. The projections claim that the Southwestern United States will see an increase in heat, drought, wildfires and insect breakouts as well as declining water supplies and agricultural yields.

The predictions that only a decade ago we thought might occur for our children or grandchildren are actually occurring now. Even Pope Francis this month called for lifestyle changes and reduction in energy consumption or else there will be “grave consequences for all of us.”

Any good news?

I like to consider myself more of a Pollyanna than a Debbie Downer, but on this issue I’ve got my work cut out for me. Giving up or putting our heads in the sand is always an option. I feel like that every time I write a column or prepare to give a presentation on climate change.

At those times I look to inspiring people and communities that are continuing to change everything, and there are many in Southern Nevada. Individual changes multiplied by 7 billion people can lead to positive, promising outcomes.

I will highlight many of these encouraging stories in upcoming columns along with continued new ways of living a greener, healthier more connected life. However, we all need to get on board and fast.

Our marching orders

Our mission, should we choose to accept:

n Change everything.

n Demand changes on the systems we have come to rely on that do not serve us anymore.

Inhofe, who is the chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, may think climate change is a laughing matter. But to the rest of us, it is no joke.

The heat is on, but let’s keep implementing cool solutions.

Mary Beth Horiai has split her adult life between Japan and Southern Nevada. In Las Vegas, Horiai worked for the nonprofit U.S. Green Building Council of Nevada. A graduate of UNLV, she was trained as a speaker for The Climate Reality Project.