Here and there

Hi neighbors. Although most of my columns have a loosely tied theme, sometimes I want to just chat about whatever comes to mind.

Big news around the globe for several years has been global warming. Some people deny the existence of this phenomenon but most think we are fast approaching a tipping point past which there is no return.

Merriam-Webster's online dictionary offers this definition of global warming: "an increase in the earth's atmospheric and oceanic temperatures widely predicted to occur due to an increase in the greenhouse effect resulting especially from pollution."

There are those who declare global warming as a false assumption. It is a fact that the glaciers are shrinking and ocean temperatures are rising. I suppose time will tell. However, the longer an issue is ignored the less can be done to avert it.

I think global warming is a fact. But, I also have read that the planet goes through changes that may seem endless while they last; but that do reverse after a time. For instance there was the mini (aka Little) ice age which ended only 12,000 years ago. This ice age followed an increasing warming period in Medieval times from about 950 to 1250. Various sources indicate that both of these warming and freezing periods may not have been global; but were instead generally limited to the Northern Hemisphere.

Maybe we can hope this new warming will not be global but will only shrink the ice caps. Still, it's reported that the ocean temperatures have risen and that would indicate the warming trend is indeed a global event.

Many nations have agreed to try to 'fix' this warming trend and have come up with some ways to address the problem. Two large consumer/industrial nations that recently seem to be dragging their feet on acknowledging the problem: the United States and China.

If you feel we need to be part of a solution for global warming; contact your elected officials on all levels and check on the Internet for ways individuals can help.

From observing the audience of members of Congress at President Trump's televised speech this week, all of our elected officials need to know how their voters feel about all of the issues facing the nation right now.

It appears to be a confusing and divisive atmosphere in Washington, D.C. these days. I am certain all elected officials want to hear from their constituents expressing their opinions, questions and knowledge concerning issues before Congress now.

The men and women in Congress are there representing us, the voters who put them in office. Their votes on bills and laws and other actions are suppose to represent what their voters want them to do. How will they know if you don't tell them?

Citizens have more duties than simply electing representation by voting. Keeping in close contact with your elected officials is also your duty. It is the duty of your elected officials to keep you posted about what is going on either state-wide or nationally or globally that they have impact on by their vote. By letting you know what is before them prior to their vote, they are asking you which way you think they should vote! It is our duty to learn about these challenges facing them and respond to their queries.

Elected officials' names and contact phone numbers are listed each Saturday in The Nevada Daily Mail newspaper on the Opinion Page.

As voting citizens we are responsible for staying informed about current issues. Today more than ever there are many ways to find out what is going on both at home and around the world. Just keep in mind that you should listen only to sources you can trust to be telling the unbiased truth.

Public television stations often have televised Congressional meetings on state and national levels. They also have informative documentaries on various officials and offer insights on upcoming issues to be voted on in the near future. There is a wealth of information on this public service station. Please check your television listings to find out what programs are available.

It is vital that we remember that effective and fair governing works only if we the voting citizens are actively involved in every step of the process. We should never assume that the representatives of our choices are left standing alone with no backing by us and no information from us as to what we want from them.

Until the next time friends remember we the people are the government. We have created it and we should be in control of it.