Science indicates climate is changing

To the editor:

A Pew Research Center Poll released in September found that 61 percent of Americans believe that there is solid evidence that our climate is warming. I believe that people should study for themselves the evidence before forming an opinion, but it seems with climate change most people are not doing so. NASA evidence shows that each of the 20 warmest years on record have occurred since 1981, with the 10 hottest occurring in the last 12. NASA studies also have found rising ocean temperatures and receding sea ice around the world. Meanwhile, a study of peer-reviewed articles written about climate change found that 97 percent of scientists who took positions believed that humans were its cause. It seems, then, that the main reason people still do not believe in climate change are twofold. First, it could be that politics is making some not believe the scientific data. Second, there are still people who do not know what the evidence shows.

While those with polarized political beliefs are likely beyond the reach of scientific facts, it is important to share the scientific evidence about human created climate change with our community so that people know it is an issue. One group working in Cedar Rapids to increase awareness about climate change is the League of Conservation Voters. Anyone interested in volunteering will help to build the knowledge that our community has about our environment.

Braydon Roberts

Cedar Rapids