We can’t become numb to ‘burning’ world
Posted August 13, 2026 4:00 am
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 1,100 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 1,300 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 and 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, Wisconsin
