Natasa Kovacevic
Mountain Lakes High School
Class of 2006
Mountain Lakes, New Jersey

Natasa is a 2005 Claes Nobel Academic Scholarship recipient, who last spring scored a perfect 2400 on the new version of the SAT, and has been offered early admission to Harvard University. She shares her concerns with our members about a "hot" issue:

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So what's the big deal? A few degrees up or down can't be that important, right? Wrong. Very wrong. I want you to think back to September 1, 2005. Hurricane Katrina strikes the Gulf Coast, decimating much of the land and its people. How can a hurricane be connected to higher temperatures? The startling truth about global warming is that a tiny temperature rise equals a big climate change. A warmer atmosphere affects not only air, but ocean surface temperatures; and higher thermal energy in the water provides more fuel for more powerful storms. This means that if the trend continues, we could one day face a beast-what scientists call a "hypercane"-that would make Katrina look like a lamb.

And climate change does not have to be steady and slow. According to the National Center for Atmospheric Research, some changes may be turned on like a dial switch as soon as a particular temperature is reached. Our sources of fresh water could melt, diseases spread more easily, and various species of wildlife become extinct. Natural events can be pushed to extremes: longer and stronger hurricanes and heat waves, more severe floods and droughts. Prior to Katrina we had the luxury to watch films like "The Day After Tomorrow" with a dose of skepticism. Tornadoes annihilating Los Angeles; hail the size of grapefruits barraging Tokyo-it all seemed so far-fetched. Isn't it frightening when a Hollywood illusion turns into reality?

Without a doubt, the next phase after Katrina will be relief and reconstruction. When immediate needs are met, the country will hopefully strengthen its defenses for next time. But consider this: America takes it upon itself to help prevent a next time. Now, of course, we cannot control Mother Nature. New Orleans taught us that. Hurricanes will strike every continent, and they will strike dozens of times each year. But the fact is that over the years hurricane intensity has increased dramatically, and part of the problem is global warming. In the case of New Orleans, a lower-category storm could have saved countless lives and billions of dollars in damage.

What can an individual do? Many conscientious citizens are dedicated to a global warming solution. The key is energy conservation: we could cut down on gas-guzzling cars, ride a bike when driving isn't necessary, take care in our use of electricity. Elementary school taught us the basics-the three R's: Recycle, Reduce, Reuse. We find ourselves at a difficult crossroads, and are realizing in the wake of Katrina, and Rita, that it's good to be good to Mother Nature.

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