OPINION

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By Silas Gwathmey

For hundreds of years, America has been running and proud of our history. As a nation, we are proud of where we come from and how we got here. We fight to protect our historical monuments and locations by preserving them. However, throughout history, as we as a nation have advanced into a modern era, we need to realize our impact on our environment. People talk about it, but few are willing to give up luxuries in their lives to ensure the preservation of our world.

Historic Jamestowne, the original settlement site on the James River founded in 1607, is in great danger due to climate change. President of the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation James Horn says “There are multiple challenges and they’re all related to climate change.” He is afraid that our next generation will not be able to ever see Jamestown due to rising sea levels. Though it has received trouble from water by floods and erosion throughout the years, climate change is multiplying the pace at which this is happening. Most professionals on the island believe that it will be underwater in no more than 35 years. 

Historic Jamestowne after flooding in October 2021. Photo by Anna Shackelford of the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation (Preservation Virginia).

There is so much we can do as a world to fight the effects of climate change, but there is not that much time until the damage becomes unrepairable. Katherine Malone-France, chief preservation officer at the National Trust for Historic Preservation says, “There is basically a five-year window at Jamestown, mitigating the impact of climate change becomes exponentially harder. This can’t wait another 10 or 15 years. This is about right now.” Malone-France wants people to realize how important it is, saying “We have to acknowledge that climate change is an urgent threat to our cultural resources. We have to recognize that and we have to begin to take action… I have hope because I think these places matter so deeply to people.” If we can use Jamestown as an example, maybe we can reverse the damage that has been done in other places. It does not take much to have even just a small impact on our environment. 

Image courtesy of The Rocky Mountain Climate Organization.

It is our job to ensure the safety and nature of our world from here on out. Sea levels are rising, and many islands and cities on the coasts are in danger. Many original aspects of nature and buildings of our world are becoming endangered. It has come onto this generation so quickly that it is hard to combat. Many people do not believe this is real because of how long it took to happen, but we as a world are the first to experience the actual effects of climate change. More protected areas and national parks are endangered than not, making it crucial we protect them for the next generations. Not only is it important to stay connected and be able to reflect on our history, but it is our land we are losing. 

There are many ways you yourself can make a difference. It all starts with caring about what happens next. Travel is among the leading causes of climate change. The emissions that come out of any sort of engine release carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses, contributing to global warming. Extreme weather and the dangers of warmer winters and scorching summers are our fault, but if we act fast, that can be changed.