As America observes the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina,
there are many aspects of the disaster that demand our attention: the
memories of those lost, the ongoing challenge of rebuilding the Gulf
region, the deep divides of race and class that the storm showed in
such stark images.
However, we would be foolish not to consider also the very real threat
of storms like Katrina and Rita becoming much more common if we
continue on our current path of global warming pollution. The National
Center for Atmospheric Research recently concluded that the deadly 2005
hurricane season was significantly fueled by global warming.
Global warming doesn't cause hurricanes, but it can make them more
powerful by warming the oceans. The warmer the waters, the more
powerful the storms - that's why we often see tropical storms and
category 1 hurricanes grow into much more powerful storms over the warm
waters
of the Gulf of Mexico.
Leaders in Congress have introduced science-based legislation called
the Safe Climate Act that would limit global warming pollution to the
levels that would ensure that we do not see the 2005 hurricane season
become an annual occurrence. I would like to thank Reps. Tom Allen and
Michael Michaud for signing on as co-sponsors to this important
legislation.
I urge Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe to do the same.
Jennifer Andersen
Advocate
Environment Maine
Portland
