Many local residents say they want laws to be implemented to mitigate climate change and its resulting extreme weather events, but some dismiss the science as a hoax.
Last July 4 marked the hottest day on Earth since 1979, when temperatures began to be officially recorded, and many scientists have warned that this is a sign of climate change.
Climate change refers to long-term changes in weather patterns, and while it may be due to natural causes, most scientists, international organizations and governments agree that this most recent change is the result of the burning of fossil fuels, which produce greenhouse gas emissions that trap heat in the atmosphere. This can lead to extreme weather events and rising temperatures, they say.
Whether this is to blame for recent heat waves in the United States and around the world is not a clear consensus, but many are nonetheless wondering what can be done to mitigate these events.
District 9 state Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee, said he believes local and county governments, along with nonprofit organizations, are better prepared than state government to help citizens who need help staying cool during heat waves.
“Electric companies also have programs to help with electric bills for low-income families,” Pemberton said.
As for whether the state could implement any laws to combat future heat waves, if they are indeed caused by climate change, Pemberton said climate fluctuations have been recorded by climatologists for eons.
“The hot tropical periods, the mini-ice ages, etc. they are a normal course in the evolution of the Earth. I don’t see any policy that the state can enact that will change Mother Nature and the evolutionary course of the Earth,” he said.
State Rep. Bob Ed Culver, R-Tahlequah, agreed that Earth’s climate is cyclical.
“Earth’s climate has been changing for millions of years,” Culver said.
Culver recalled a football game he played in while at the University of Oklahoma, against the University of Kentucky in 1980, when the temperature on the field – AstroTurf on asphalt – was recorded at 131 degrees. Culver joked that he sweated several pounds during that game.
“Now we have all these greenhouse emission laws, but you look back to the Dust Bowl years, and it happened then, and we didn’t have [those laws in place]Culver said.
During a Saturday July Facebook forum, Tahlequah Daily Press readers were asked if they thought anything could be done to mitigate climate change and what, if any, action politicians should take.
“Climate change is a natural cycle of the Earth,” said Tahlequah resident Brad Wagnon.
TDP columnist Brent Been said the causes and effects of climate change are clearer than ever.
“Climate change deniers, however, will continue to bury their heads in the sand,” Been said. “The most important thing we can do to combat climate change is to drastically reduce our consumption of fossil fuels. Because it is the burning of coal, oil and natural gas that is responsible for most of the emissions that warm the planet. This is not an impossible goal. Transport is a huge source of greenhouse gases, so eliminating pollution from billions of cars is critical to achieving net zero global emissions.”
Tahlequah resident Thomas Goingsnake Stopp said humans have done this to themselves.
“The natives have always said: ‘Take care of the land and the land will take care of you.’ Time is the way to fight for nature. It might be too late, but maybe everyone should take it more seriously, especially politicians,” Stopp said.
While the warm weather remains, Lake Region Electric Cooperative offers tips for homeowners trying to stay cool indoors.
“We encourage our members to keep all exterior doors and window shades closed to keep out as much radiant heat as possible,” said Juanita Keener, LREC Energy Advisor. “Any increase you can make in the indoor air temperature, [such as] by adjusting the temperature on the thermostat, the less your AC will have to run to cool the home.”
Keener said homeowners can close off rooms that aren’t in use and gather in a smaller area, leaving less room for conditioning.
“LREC always encourages members to check insulation values, seal cracks in exterior walls and use the most efficient cooling equipment to save on energy costs,” Keener said.
For those facing the summer heat outdoors, Oklahoma State University Extension Service Educator Heather Winn offered tips for staying hydrated.
“Basically, if you’re going to be in the heat for less than an hour, water is the best option,” Winn said. “However, if you’re in the heat for more than an hour, you could experience mineral and sodium loss. Then you’d want to drink something to replace the electrolyte loss you experience.”
Winn said the main way the body removes heat is by sweating.
“Water loss through sweating can decrease muscle strength, endurance, coordination and increase the risk of cramps. Excessive body water loss can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, which can lead to death,” he said.
Winn said replacing water lost through sweating is the best way to prevent dehydration.
“Thirst is not a good indicator of the need for water. Weighing before and after physical activity is an easy way to determine the amount of body water lost through sweat,” he said. “It requires 1 pint (two cups) of fluid to replace every pound of body water lost through physical activity.”
Winn said a person should drink at least eight cups of water each day to ensure adequate hydration.
what you said
In a website poll, TDP asked readers if they thought anything should be done to help combat climate change. Of the 22 respondents, 59.1% said, “Yes, laws should be put in place to reduce fossil fuel use and other human behavior”; 19.0% said: “No, because it’s useless; the climate will change no matter what humans do; 9.5% said: “Yes, but only voluntarily, as it is part of the natural cycle”; and 9.5% said, “No, because climate change is not real.”
