BANGOR DAILY NEWS • April 15, 2020
The way our society mobilized to combat this virus, despite major disruptions and hardships, is inspiring. Still, we have been living with and ignoring another slower developing — but just as deadly — threat to public health: climate change. Carbon emissions already degrade air quality and are responsible for millions of deaths each year. Hurricanes, floods and wildfires happen with increased frequency and severity, killing people, destroying homes and devastating local economies. Climate change is worsening food and water shortages and will displace hundreds of millions of people. We found the political will to put in place actions that were inconceivable a few weeks ago. Let us find the political will to confront this other crisis before it is too late. ~ Gerry Gross, Bangor