Although some people continue to debate global warming, it should be clear that it is a real and present danger.

The melting of Arctic sea ice is continuing, with a record low for Arctic sea ice set Aug. 26. In early September total Arctic sea ice fell to less than 4 million square kilometers, a 45 percent decline compared with the 1979 to 2000 average. You can follow the loss of Arctic sea ice at www.nsidc.org.

As our National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colo., reports, “Arctic sea ice keeps the polar regions cool and helps moderate global climate.” The continuing loss of Arctic sea ice “has the potential to accelerate global warming trends and to change climate patterns.”

Losing sea ice means our climate will be less moderate. Changing climate patterns means record floods followed by record droughts in Iowa and record drought and wildfires in Montana and Colorado.

It is time for the United States to lead the world to combat climate change. This means it is time to stop drilling for oil in places such as the Arctic Ocean, start conserving energy and invest heavily in rail, fuel-efficient cars, electric cars, green buildings and renewable energy instead of fossil fuels.

Elwood Garlock

Cedar Rapids