Question of the Week: “On a scale of 1 to 10, how concerned are you about climate change?”
“A seven, because yesterday there was an article in the newspaper about temperature changes in the U.S. In New Jersey the temperature is plus two degrees since 2001 and it keeps on getting warmer and warmer. This summer is going to be really hot. Even up in Maine we’re going to get temperatures in the hundreds. They’re always around us, global warming and climate change. It’s hard for anybody to do anything. My dad said that it’s almost impossible to reverse, you can slow it down but not reverse it. It’s already gone too far.”—Adela Agnew, Princeton
“I am a 10 concerned. I’m terrified because we don’t know what’s going to happen and we’re not prepared. We don’t know how bad it’s going to get and how it will affect the world. There are so many of us on the planet and it’s going to affect all of us. It doesn’t seem that anyone is doing anything about it, which is the scariest part.”
—Louisa Ajami with son Luka Njeim, Princeton
“Eight: it’s obviously happening, it’s very disconcerting seeing what’s going on with weather patterns and floods. We have been getting extreme weather lately. The reason I didn’t say 10 was I think there’s still a chance that we can do something about it or nature will do something about it. This sort of thing has happened in the past due to volcanos and things eventually corrected themselves. I’m very concerned, but there might be hope.”—Robert Diamond, Cranbury
Marty: “The weather patterns have changed dramatically over the last couple of years. We have more tornadoes happening around the country then before. It obviously has to do with the climate. Our polar caps are melting at a very high rate and showing a tremendous change in our temperatures.”
Barbara: “I say an 11. It’s getting really scary. My husband and I have discussed how the weather has changed since our childhood. I think we need scientific ways to tell people that this weather is coming and alert them in advance about how to protect themselves.”
—Marty and Barbara Demsky, Princeton Junction
“Seven to eight: it’s real and I’m concerned. It’s become a political issue. The recent articles in the New York Times about government studies show that we’re seeing the impact today. The question is what to do about it? It’s a global issue. I’m concerned about a global movement. Governments need to take a lead to get something done. Like all political issues it’s prone to gridlock.”—Chris Hefele, Princeton Junction