Does it seem like the summers are getting hotter and hotter here in Nevada? They are.
KOLO (channel 8 in Reno) is reporting that Nevada has seen a marked rise in temperatures over the last 30 years. Increased temperatures bring with them all sorts of nasties: drought, brush fires and heat-related deaths. If you’re cynically saying to yourself “what else is new?” think back the last few weeks.
It was my first summer living here Las Vegas but all the old-timers (residents with more than five years of tenure) remarked about how it got hot this year in late June instead of early July. Remember how the week of July 4th was super-hot and we had record temperatures, some days hitting 118 degrees. Now imagine the unbearably hot days of summer lasting beyond Labor Day instead of ending mid-August (as I’m told they should). Not good. Back in dinosaur times Southern Nevada was covered in lakes. Now only a few remain and we yet we continue to use an abuse them.
We all need to do what we can to fight global-warming on a small, local scale. Recycle, conserve electricity and gas, try to reuse things instead of throwing them away. Individual efforts and awareness can breed responsible communities. Responsible communities in turn can foster more conscientious nations and make a real impact.