Climate change is no joke

A recent letter writer suggested that we do not have to worry about global warming because we had a beautiful cool stretch in July. ('Global warming is at it again,” July 19, 2014).

I understand it's OK to have a little fun, but no one should take comments like that seriously.

During Iowa's cool weather, the American West faced record heat, drought, and wildfires. The day before the letter appeared drought-induced wildfires destroyed 100 homes in minutes in Pateros, Washington.

Record rains in Iowa this summer have destroyed homes, infrastructure, and lives. Iowa's leading scientists tell us that climate change is costing us money already.

Worse, America's leading scientists have warned us that 'the severity of climate change impacts is expected to increase substantially in the coming decades.”

If citizens locally want to get more involved, the non-profit Citizens Climate Lobby is hosting a training Sunday, July 27, at Prairiewoods in Hiawatha from 2 to 5 p.m.

Remember the adage: The time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.

Senator Rob Hogg

Cedar Rapids