As climate talks take place at this year's United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP28) in Dubai later this month, we face global challenges and conflicts that have deservedly grabbed headlines around the world. But as those who desire real and strong climate action know well, efforts to address the climate crisis are plagued by inevitable crises that push climate change to the back of the world's priorities. Time and again over the past few decades, we have seen the inevitable slowdown in climate action due to some danger that seems more immediate and pressing than our changing climate. In many ways, however, these climate change crises are deeper than we may realize and require immediate action. From economic downturns to wars, we've seen repeated distractions take pressure off leaders to take concrete and substantive climate action. In the past few years alone, we have faced a global pandemic, challenges to American democracy and the rule of law, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the tragic crisis between Israelis and Palestinians. The challenges can be mentally draining; it is understandable that people and governments may struggle to wrap their minds and allocate their resources among the many challenges we face. (JOHN OPPERMANN)