Don't deny the symptoms

Individuals diagnosed with cancer respond in many different ways. Accepting the diagnosis, seeking the best medical advice available and making a rational choice about the treatment to adopt is likely to promote recovery. Alternatively, rejecting the diagnosis, arguing, for example: 'The little finger on my left hand never felt better,' and continuing business as usual, especially if accompanied by denying the condition even as health obviously deteriorates, is unlikely to promote recovery.

Globally, we are in exactly this situation in relation to the disease of carbon dioxide pollution. The diagnosis is clear: Largely as a consequence of human activity carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is already nearly 50 percent greater than it was 300 years ago. The recommended treatment is simple: reduce its atmospheric concentration. The symptoms of disease are everywhere: from climbing global and local temperatures, to melting glaciers and ice packs, expanding growing seasons, and heat waves, droughts, floods, and hurricanes bombarding the nation and world. It is no longer reasonable to maintain the position promoted by the lies and disinformation spread by energy corporations and right-wing politicians and commentators.

If we acknowledge the problem and take steps to address it we have a chance of reversing the condition. If we deny either the symptoms or that they are a consequence of the diagnosis we court disaster.

It is time for rational folks throughout the nation and the world to stand up and call for action from ourselves, fellow Americans, and elected leaders at all levels of government.

ALAN JOURNET, Ashland, Ore.