By Raegan Scharfetter/managing editor

Harvey, Irma and potentially Maria. What is the cause of these back-to-back hurricanes?

Two ingredients are needed for a hurricane to form: warm ocean water and consistent, strong winds. So, in the short term, warmer ocean water creates a stronger hurricane. And what creates warmer ocean water? Climate change.

Yes, there has always been heat and there has always been hurricanes, but there is added heat now, turning  these storms into superstorms.

Environmental Protection Agency administrator Scott Pruitt said it is insensitive to discuss climate change in the midst of deadly storms.

However, the Republican mayor of Miami, Tomas Regalado, said if not now, when?

“This is the time to talk about climate change. This is the time that the president and the EPA and whoever makes decisions needs to talk about climate change,” Regalado said. “If this isn’t climate change, I don’t know what is. This is a truly, truly poster child for what is to come.”

Usually, one would trust environmental statements coming from the EPA and not a mayor, but in this situation, Regalado is correct.

The perfect time to discuss the cause of a disaster is right after it occurs, so it can be studied and prevented in the future.

An example of this is investigators do not take a back seat after a crime has been committed because it is insensitive to the victims. Instead, they start investigating as soon as possible for the most accurate results, so future crimes are prevented.

President Trump has previously deemed climate change a hoax and is currently avoiding all questions revolved around it. Personally, that makes a statement. Trump is now speechless over climate change? He must be rethinking that one.

Regardless, it does not matter what one believes. Whether it is the wrath of God or the downfall of humanity, these natural disasters are incredibly humbling. Life can change at any given moment.

People should note that climate change is not a belief. It is an observation. And if there are no changes made, more natural disasters are yet to come.