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The Texas Floods Were Made Worse by Climate Denialism
The Texas Floods Were Made Worse by Climate Denialism

Bloomberg

time08-07-2025

  • Climate
  • Bloomberg

The Texas Floods Were Made Worse by Climate Denialism

The tragic news out of central Texas has been heartbreaking, but it's also been maddening — because so many lives could have been saved if elected officials had done their jobs. They owe the families who lost loved ones — the death toll from the Fourth of July floods is now at more than 100 — more than thoughts and prayers. They owe them a sincere commitment to righting their deadly wrong, by tackling the problem they've turned their backs on for too long: climate change. The scientific evidence is clear that the more frequent extreme weather we are experiencing is being driven by climate change — and that it's only going to get worse. As the director of the Texas Center for Extreme Weather at Texas A&M University put it, the storms and flooding in central Texas are 'exactly what the future is going to hold.' And yet so many elected officials are pretending otherwise.

Editorial: On July 4, celebrate our liberty and seek common ground
Editorial: On July 4, celebrate our liberty and seek common ground

Yahoo

time05-07-2025

  • Politics
  • Yahoo

Editorial: On July 4, celebrate our liberty and seek common ground

For some of the people reading this, America has never been better. For some of the people reading this, this nation's future has never been more terrifying. It's hard to imagine a nation more divided than we are right now. And it would be foolish to urge everyone to drop their differences, even for a day. But we're going to do it anyway. Because if you are reading this, it means you care about the future of this country. And that deep-seated love for our nation is — as it has always been — the shining beacon that guides Americans through contentious times. On this Independence Day, Central Floridians should celebrate the things that bind us together. And that begins with our independence, embodied in the rights our Founding Fathers secured for us when the United States was still new. Each of us has the right to speak our mind freely. The right to worship as we choose. The right to publish facts and opinions for others to read. The right to come together in protest or celebration. The right to confront our elected officials and speak our minds. The right to own firearms. The right to be protected against abusive police tactics, to have fair trials, to be protected against penalties that are cruel or unusual. The right of every person — regardless of race, gender or ideology — to be treated equally and fairly by their government. We should also contemplate the ways in which this nation has nurtured dreams of prosperity. This is truly the land of opportunity, and census data proves that: Last year, roughly 5.5 million small businesses were started. Many of them will grow to provide jobs and contribute to their communities' economy and the nation's wealth. Respect for shared rights and economic freedom binds Americans together, as we rely on the protections they provide. And this hints at a deeper mandate, one that the founders found so important that they included in the name of this new nation. Many Americans believe that we are no longer united, that the political and ideological rifts that have split this country are too deep to heal. These chasms must be bridged. The nation's future depends on it. The reassuring truth is that we've been here before. America has weathered a deep division over civil rights, a devastating economic depression — even a war in which hundreds of thousands lost their lives. With resolve and faith, Americans can weather this storm. The story of our country's founding may be the best example. The patriots who built the framework of this new nation disagreed on many things — whether slavery should continue, how much power the government should have, how states would associate with each other. Yet they managed to build a nation that became the greatest in the world. So on this Independence Day, the anniversary of the date that launched this great experiment, Americans should strive to abandon their sense of futility and cynicism. We have to find a way to talk to each other, and even more importantly, to listen. This has never been a nation where everyone felt the same, but in today's climate people are experiencing not just differences of opinion, but differences in perceived facts. That makes it nearly impossible to understand why the other side feels the way they feel. Understanding one another doesn't mean being blind to perceived threats to core liberties. It doesn't require you to betray your principles. But it can establish common ground, where Americans can collaborate and celebrate shared goals. There are efforts underway in our community to help bridge those gaps in understanding. One notable project: Central Florida Public Media's One Small Step project, a partnership with the national StoryCorps. It brings strangers with opposing views together to talk about controversial topics. The conversations are archived on their website (we'll put the link in the online version of this editorial) and definitely worth listening to. In addition, faith leaders and educators are hosting discussions on sometimes divisive topics. Programs like the Central Florida Pledge can also remind us of our common goals — a community where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. If you can't find one of these opportunities, consider making your own. But that's something for the future. Today is a day to spend with family and friends, to watch fireworks blossom across the sky, to revel in the love we share for this great nation, and the gratitude for all those who weathered the harsh debates — and put their lives on the line — to make the United States of America a lasting bastion of greatness. The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board includes Executive Editor Roger Simmons, Opinion Editor Krys Fluker and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Send letters to insight@

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