By Maribeth Crandell

If you weren’t already confused about global warming, Mr. Harves odd reasoning posted here on Nov. 8 would certainly put your head in a spin. Tom, I salute you for the attempt to make sense out of it and relieve us Americans of the blame, but I’m afraid you didn’t have all the pieces of the puzzle. It’s only natural to ponder a question, and strive to come up with an good answer, but it’s always good to find someone credible to confirm the answers, especially when it concerns something as complicated as climate change.

Over the last decade I’ve heard many top notch scientists explain it. I even participated in the first Climate Stewards course offered through the WSU Extension of Skagit and Island County, so I have a decent understanding of the cause and effect and I still struggle to explain it to others.

In the simplest terms global warming is the result of carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels. These emissions have caused a “greenhouse effect” in our atmosphere, holding in the warmer temperatures that used to escape into space. Our global cloud of carbon has grown thick enough since the Industrial Revolution to blanket the planet in our own pollution. The warming effect has caused Antarctic and Greenland ice to drop off into the sea, causing sea level rise. The warming of the ocean has made hurricanes more frequent and more powerful. There’s more severe weather all over the globe. These climate changes have caused tropical diseases to move north, destroyed crops, devastated property, displaced wildlife and killed people.

The records over the last couple of hundred years indicate a definite warming trend. But there are numerous websites, DVDs and papers that can explain this much better than I. You could visit the library or the University of Washington Web site for the big picture and all the science you can handle. Once you have a grasp of the problem, it would be good to get started on the solutions.

Locally, the town of Coupeville recently hired Cathy d’Almeida as the Sustainable Community Coordinator that offers many resources for the Whidbey Community on this Web site: www.town.coupeville.wa.us/sustainability.htm.

Our local Council of Governments, which includes Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Langley, Island County and the port districts, recently signed a Sustainability Resolution. “The resolution promotes reduction in dependence on fossil fuels, conservation of natural resources, recycling and waste reduction programs and use of energy efficient vehicles where efficient and practical.”

It’s exciting to be a part of this coalition moving toward a more positive future.

The warming trend will continue until we wean ourselves from fossil fuels. Americans have been world leaders in carbon dioxide emissions. We’re now making changes to curb our contribution to the global climate crisis. Whether people are motivated by the rising costs of energy or a sense of environmental ethics, there are many ways we can save money and the environment at the same time. Though the problem is complex the solution is as simple as changing a light bulb or taking the bus.

Maribeth Crandell is a WSU-Island County Climate Steward.