Photo Credit: AlbertEinstein.com
Tom Cervone, Ph.D. and Michael Cervone, B.S.
Our Planet Earth
Editor’s Note: Our website https://ourplanetearth.eco encourages all children of God to act with “Care for Our Common Home.” It’s also a resource on https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/ and https://ourcommonhome.org/
Introduction
As a trained scientist from St. Bonaventure University, I’ve been concerned that people do not believe scientists, especially in global warming or climate change. I ask why? Especially since the average global surface temperature has risen by more than 1.1°C to 1.3°C (about 2.0°F to 2.3°F) since 1880, according to data from NASA Science and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and compiled by Climate Central, the nine warmest years for the contiguous U.S. on record have all occurred since 2012. August 2026 ranked as the hottest August on record for the contiguous United States, according to NOAA data. The lower 48 states averaged 75.6°F in August, making it the warmest August in the 132-year record. June through August 2026 was recorded as the hottest summer on record for the United States, beating previous highs in 1936 and 2021. Such data confirms that the world is getting hotter and will continue to do so unless we mitigate and adapt.
Nonetheless, on September 13, 2026, the Trump administration removed climate pollution limits on power plants. This ruling “overturned the 2024 Biden-era standards , which aimed to reduce carbon emissions from power plants by compelling coal and new gas-powered plants to either cut or use emissions technology to capture 90% of their climate pollution, and reduce carbon pollution from that sector by 75% compared to its 2005 peak.” When the earlier ruling was announced, the EPA then projected it would prevent 1,200 premature deaths in 2035 alone, and produce $120 billion in health benefits through 2047.” Is this new regulation counterproductive?
But to answer, you need to check your local weather station and your own observations. Today at a store, a woman next to me complained about how hot it has been, especially for delivery drivers. When I nicely responded that temperatures have been on the rise, she responded, “WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.” Is that the go-to answer? If so, it seems we’re giving up, especially since we know the reason? The Pew Center says people believe scientists, but confidence levels vary depending on political views, personal values, and how information is shared. Their survey showed “77% of U.S. adults say they have a great deal (28%) or fair amount (49%) of confidence in scientists.” Have you noticed changes this year in peaches ripening earlier, apples sunburned and “baked” on trees, and tree leaves wilting, changing color, and dropping earlier?
A “68-country” survey showed “90% of Americans viewed research scientists as intelligent, and the majority saw them as honest and focused on solving real-world problems.” In the journal Nature, they showed in most countries, people trust scientists and agree they should engage more in society and policymaking decisions. Pope Francis put much faith in scientists and their training, enough that he published his encyclical
letter, Laudato Si’, In Care of Our Common Home,” while Pope Leo XIV published on September 2, 2026, “Caring for Our Common Home” that labels damage to nature as a sin against creation and against the Creator. So how many scientists really believe in global warming and climate change? Between 97% and 99% of actively publishing climate scientists agree that humans are causing global warming and climate change. Democrats (90%) believe more than Republicans (65%). Maybe such a disparity comes from our leaders being influenced by their party or leader(s) in their party, or facts clash with their personal values, religious beliefs, or social group?
Research shows some people doubt global warming because they view weather shifts as natural earth cycles, distrust exaggerated warnings, or resist the lifestyle and cost changes required. They see warm and cold periods as normal history rather than a human-made crisis. As noted by the Pew Research Center , “I do believe [the climate] is changing, but I believe it is changing in a natural cycle that happens all the time. What I don't believe is that humans are 100% responsible for climate change.” Skeptics worry that climate narratives are fabricated or conspiracy theories pushed by elites to justify financial gains, new taxes, or tighter regulations.
What Can You Do?
It is a fact that temperatures are rising and many natural disasters are happening because of humankind. Don’t believe what “you think,” but believe what many scientists have been telling you for decades. Also, we need leaders that will promote restoration measures that include efforts to protect their constituents. One way of doing this is bypassing laws that promote carbon uptake and cooling of the planet, e.g., protecting forests, planting trees, going to no-till farming with cover crops, and protecting the oceans. These measures plus using renewable energy like solar, wind, water, and geothermal will help. Natural disasters today “are not normal.”
Scientists and Climate Change:
Quote:
“The time for seeking global solutions is running out. We can find suitable solutions only if we act together and in agreement.” - Pope Francis, 266th Catholic Pope
Tom Cervone, Deacon and PhD, is the founder, and Michael Cervone, B.S., is the programmer and designer of the “Our Planet Earth” website. We also thank others for their earlier help in developing this website. Comments may be directed to ourplanetearth@gmail.com. Thank you.