The night before the international climate negotiations of the United Nations began in Warsaw, Poland, Typhoon Haiyan, a superstorm that many are calling the most powerful typhoon ever to hit land, smashed into the Philippines, destroying communities and killing thousands.

Last week, extremely powerful and early tornadoes tore across the Midwestern United States, leaving behind death and devastation.

The connection between our fundamentally altered climate and the increase in the severity and number of extreme weather events is abundantly clear to delegate Nadarev Saño, who represented the Philippines at this year’s climate negotiations. Calling the climate crisis “madness,” Saño has pledged to fast until the conference delivers concrete action to address climate disruption.

In an effort to show solidarity with Saño and those affected by Typhoon Haiyan, thousands of youth, including members of the Sierra Student Coalition, were also fasting until the end of the conference.

It’s time to acknowledge the madness of the climate crisis affecting not only the Philippines, but right here in Pennsylvanians’ back yards. Secretary of State John Kerry should show that the U.S. is ready to lead so that superstorms don’t become the new normal in Slippery Rock or anywhere else.