Issues Under Fire: Trump's State of the Union Address: What He'll Say & What He Won't
You shouldn't need a Crystal Ball for this one, but if yours is cracked, here's what you can expect from Donald Trump tonight. He'll proclaim the United States' economy is doing better than it ever has in its entire history. He'll tell Americans that he and he alone is responsible for the U.S. stock market's meteoric rise. He'll tell the American people that the passage of his Tax Bill will be great for the middle class because it'll generate tens of millions of high paying jobs with great benefits and lower taxes. He'll also pay lip-service to the Dreamers. And while these pack of lies will undoubtedly resonate with viewers of Fox News, the sane will take note of the most important issue Trump won't speak of. Climate Change
While it's impossible to believe the State of America's Union due to who's giving the address, the state of the planet is undeniable. The state of the planet is in a state of change. And that change is not a good thing. The frightening headlines are coming from around the globe. Cape Town, South Africa, with a population of 4 million is running out of water. Day Zero, the day the last drop has been consumed, is predicted to arrive early April THIS YEAR! No, not 20 or 30 years from now. This is happening right in front of our eyes. People are waiting in long lines at a controlled public water station for daily supplies. The drought is brutal. And it's been sustained for years.
On the other hand, Paris saw massive flooding last week from unusually heavy rains, sending hoards of rats fleeing the overflowing Seine River. Parisians were seen walking in hip-deep waters, as they struggled to make their way to and fro. Reportedly, hundreds of people were evacuated along the river, as the flood caused major damage in the Paris suburbs. And it's not just this water event. Paris is battling air pollution, too. So much so, they ban cars in the city from time to time to reduce carbon emissions. The first journee sans voiture (a day without cars) occurred in September of 2015. Parisians found that simple sacrifice reduced exhaust emissions by 40%. So, they're expanding the concept. But if all this sounds too far away to be concerned, let's bring this story home.
It's only been a few weeks since we saw the historic mudslides in California finish off what the historic wildfires didn't. After hundreds of thousands of acres were turned into smoldering cinders, burning thousands of homes, businesses, and other structures to the ground, it left the soil vulnerable to slippage. With hundreds or even thousands left without housing until they can rebuild, their lives, at least in the short to medium term, have been devastated. And of course, some will never recover. The death toll stood at 43 the last time we checked. The mudslide claimed at least 20 lives. Still, there's more.
It was only a few months ago we saw the devastating hurricanes of Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico drown out the dreams and screams of smaller Caribbean islands suffering the same, if not worse fate. Hurricane Harvey was responsible for the loss of nearly 100 lives. Hurricane Irma claimed more than 75 lives. And while the number of lives lost to hurricane Maria is still being debated, you can bet the final count will be more than distressful. In many of these areas, those affected are still struggling to regain some semblance of normalcy. And, like California, many never will. But wait, we've not even addressed the cost.
According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), the United States spent a record-breaking $306 billion on disaster relief in 2017, and they have every reason to expect that number to rise for 2018. At last check, FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) is operating on an annual budget of $13 billion dollars. It doesn't take a genius to do the math. The United States can't afford to keep denying climate change. Even military planners concluded weather-related events have become a threat to national security. As these events intensify globally, the concept of weather refugees will enter the narrative. And we all know how the United States feel about refugees of any kind.
Bottom line: With all these facts readily available to anyone willing to look, listen and try to understand, Donald Trump is still singing the praises of the coal industry. He signed an executive order to open up nearly all U.S. coastal waters for oil drilling and exploration. Last week, Trump levied a 30% tariff against solar panels imported from China. This, of course, will raise the cost for those trying to transition to alternative energy sources. And BTW, Donald Trump astounded scientists this week with claims that the polar ice caps are growing, and not melting, despite proof provided by NASA, NOAA, the National Academy of Sciences among others. So, it's highly unlikely Donald Trump will even mention Climate Change during his State of the Union address.
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