Dear Editor,
The world is running out of superlatives – and that is a very bad thing indeed. Recent online headlines tell the story. ‘Unprecedented’ (Seattle Times) wildfires burning over 2 million acres in the Pacific Northwest, with 1100 structures destroyed and over 65,000 people displaced. ‘Relentless’ (NPR) heat and drought across much of Europe, leading to large scale fires, power and water insecurity, and over 1300 excess deaths due to the heat in 2026 alone. ‘Uncharted territory’ (CNN), describing record high ocean temperatures, with heat fueling destructive storms and killing off untold numbers of underwater creatures.
Sadly, even this pointed language now no longer makes a dent in the average American’s worldview; we have become inured to the death, destruction, pain of a burning world. It’s past time to put our thesauruses to work and turn our hyperbolic language on the political leaders, fossil fuel companies, and mega-corporations spurring global heating, and the climate crisis, to new heights.
Nathan Dombeck, Janesville, WI