Let it never be said that these people aren't dedicated.
Jumping into a cold 42 degree Potomac River at the National Harbor takes a certain type of mindset. A mindset that thinks about the changing climate.
"It is not as bad as you think, you do that quick dump into the water, and you get over that cold water in a few seconds," said Quentin Scott of Chesapeake Climate action network.
More than 300 hardy activists and volunteers from across the D.C. region took the "keep winter cold" plunge at the 19th Annual Polar Bear Plunge— dedicated to raising awareness and funds to fight climate change.
New York also held a Polar Bear Plunge on Coney Island on New Years Day, respectfully, and its a tradition that has been around since 1912. The funds raised from New York's event raises funds for local charitable groups, including (but not exclusively) environmental education. The one held in Maryland yesterday is to raise money specifically for an environmental organization.
Oddly enough, the Maryland Polar Bear Plunge took place in Ellicott City that experienced heavy flooding six years ago that the representative interviewed for Fox5's news report mentions, but neglects to point out the solution constructed at the behest of Howard County residents with Congressional assistance to address potential future flooding events.
If, as activists with the Chesapeake Climate action network state, that human activity is responsible for climate change that contributes to extreme weather events, then humans will adapt and survive like we've done for centuries. None the less, it will be interesting to see if Maryland's Polar Bear Plunge contributes to the annual sea level rise of a 1.06 feet that, according to the NOAA, has occurred in the state for the past 100 years despite Ellicott City being 30 meters above sea level.
No comments:
Post a Comment