ATHOL — Smith College Professor Nathanael Fortune said it’s time to end the political debate on climate change and figure out remedies before it is too late.
He stressed that mankind must wean off fossil fuels and find more a more sustainable energy solution.
“We’re adding carbon dioxide into the atmosphere twice as fast as … the Earth can remove it. Temperatures are going to continue to rise and the earth will continue to warm until we change that,” the physics professor said, using an analogy of a tub overflowing because it’s being filled with water twice as quickly as it’s being drained.
This is his focus when he speaks at climate change awareness events like the one North Quabbin Energy, a regional energy and environmental citizens’ group, plans to hold at the Millers River Environmental Center in Athol on March 26. The open meeting on climate change and local projects for climate action is set to last from 4 to 6 p.m.
North Quabbin Energy’s Pat Larson said Fortune will speak for roughly 15 to 20 minutes to explain in layman’s terms how serious climate change is.
“That’s the key reason why we invited him,” she said. “I think we’re somewhat in a crisis, in terms of sea levels rising and our use of fossil fuels. … At some point there’ll be a tipping point and we may not be able to return to what we consider normal. It’ll be a whole new world.”
Larson also said area residents will also give four-minute presentations on renewable energy, campaigning for plastic bag bans, regional food systems, land and farm projects, North Quabbin energy projects, and Athol town energy activities.
Larson described North Quabbin Energy as a network of central Massachusetts residents that started out by helping towns organize energy committees. She said five of those towns — Warwick, Wendell, Athol, New Salem and Petersham — have achieved Green Community designation, meaning they are eligible for state energy grants.
Fortune, who is also a member of the Whately Energy Committee, said progress is being stalled by Americans who regard climate change as opinion instead of fact.
“When Scott Pruitt (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency administrator under President Trump) says that it’s disputable whether CO2 contributes to climate change, he’s 200 years behind the times for established science,” Fortune said.
The scientific community, he said, has known since 1827 that there is a greenhouse effect and it was learned in 1861 (the year the American Civil War started) that carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas.
“What I’m speaking on is not disputed by any physicist,” he said.
Light refreshments will be served on March 26. North Quabbin Energy is the organizing sponsor. Co-sponsors include the Athol Bird and Nature Club, Athol Town Energy Committee, Earthlands, North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival, Orange Town Energy Committee (ad hoc), Quabbin Harvest, Seeds of Solidarity, the Wendell Town Energy Committee and Warwick Buildings & Energy Committee.
For more information, visit www.northquabbinenergy.org or contact Pat Larson at 978-575-1226.