By Michael Opitz

The cold weather and snow extending from the southern United States to the Northeast twice in the past three weeks give us pause to consider that this cold may be the beginning of a global shift in weather.  Europe has also been affected, and in some European countries record lows have been set.  There have also been massive flooding of an unprecedented scale in Australia.

I am not writing to discuss the beginning of the next ice age, but we need to recognize historical climate change of our world as we consider the future. We have warming periods and ice ages; each of these periods brings forth new plant and animal species and life continues.

However, life in Cobb came to a standstill this week, because we had no snow removal equipment, and few trucks to spread salt and sand to make our roads safe.  Business came to a halt, but we got to know our neighbors better this week.  It was nice to have some down time.

We need to consider that our coldest weather this year is yet to come, and what we have seen over the past three weeks may not be an aberration of what we think is normal weather.  Two heavy snow falls in three weeks have brought our state and communities to a standstill.  Another snow storm hard on the heels of this last one would create a very serious situation for Georgians, and we are unprepared

No, I am not saying that we need to prepare for another ice age, but we do need to vastly improve our snow removal capabilities, to ensure our safety and ability to conduct commerce.   Georgia and respective counties, even in this time of governmental austerity, must invest in more snow and ice removal equipment to ensure the safety of our citizens.

Knowing the climate change is part of the natural cycle of earth, and 250 years ago, one could walk over the ice to the Statue of Liberty.  That little ice age may be coming again, so let’s us be proactive and not reactive in providing solutions ahead of potential crisis. Let’s ensure that our transportation system, schools, and supermarkets, are not closed because of freezing temperatures and five inches of snow and ice over a day and a half.  That margin is too close for our safety, and we need to act now because February is coming…additional equipment will not sit idle.