Last week, GOP leaders and supporters met in Cleveland, Ohio at the Republican National Convention. Donald Trump, the party's presidential nominee, spoke at length about his plans for the country. Not once did Trump mention climate change.
As an entire political party denies a scientific reality, species around the world are threatened. Most recently, scientists have found that Gila monsters are at high risk. Gila monsters are one of only two venomous lizards in the world. They are also an iconic symbol of nature and landscape in the American Southwest.
These lizards are desert creatures, and what little water they have is a precious resource. Some Gila monsters can live for more than two decades, but it takes them between four and five years to mature. A few years with inconsistent rain patterns or drought can shrink their population very fast. As temperatures rise globally, precipitation is expected to be inconsistent and in some regions, more sparse. This is scary news for the lizard, as well as many other species who call desert habitat their home.
Many species are seeing declining populations - including the Gila monster - and we will not be able to stop this until all legislators agree that climate change is real and concerning. Sign today to tell the GOP that if we want to protect our species and prevent extinction, we have to acknowledge and act on climate now.
