There was a report released this morning, from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change stating the world has warmed faster than previously thought, and catastrophic changes are upon us.
Just follow the evening news. Once in a lifetime floods are happening often; look at recent reports from Europe, China and elsewhere. Greece, the western US and Canada are on fire, and burning at rates never seen. The ocean is acidifying at astronomical rates, and due to Greenland and polar ice sheets melting, the salinity level is being thrown off. Coral die off in massive amounts, beaches unsafe for swimming, massive die offs of sea creatures due to extreme temperature fluctuations and high bacteria levels, making it completely unsafe for humans.
The most horrifying aspect of the IPCC report for me? The slowing of the AMOC absolutely terrifies me. I live on the Massachusetts coast, with my family. This will have dire consequences for our community and lives.
“The research found “an almost complete loss of stability over the last century” of the currents that researchers call the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). The currents are already at their slowest point in at least 1,600 years, but the new analysis shows they may be nearing a shutdown. Such an event would have catastrophic consequences around the world, severely disrupting the rains that billions of people depend on for food in India, South America and West Africa; increasing storms and lowering temperatures in Europe; and pushing up the sea level off eastern North America. It would also further endanger the Amazon rainforest and Antarctic ice sheets.” https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/environment/2021/aug/05/climate-crisis-scientists-spot-warning-signs-of-gulf-stream-collapse
I am angry, rageful even, learning that governments and corporations worldwide have known for decades what the fossil fuel industry, car manufacturers and all the other major polluters have done to the planet. I personally have been fighting for climate change recognition, and real life changes to all of our lives, for decades. My aunt and father were members of 4H club when they were in school, and have helped shape my view on being a good human to the planet. We only have this one.
But alas, here we are. And still, with such a shocking doomsday report, do we really think those in power will move fast enough to make changes to preserve the planet for future generations? When half of them can’t even acknowledge the facts?
How do we as citizens of Earth, make our demands know, heard and implemented?
Sure, mandating 50% of the cars on the road are battery powered is a very small step in the right direction- but no where near the restrictions and changes which are recommended and needed for society.
We all need equitable climate change action. The industrial world is responsible for this. Third world countries, who have been pillaged for centuries for their raw materials, are in a better position to deal with what’s coming.
Please watch “Breaking Boundaries: the Science of Our Planet” on Netflix with David Attenborough and Johan Rockstrom. It’s definitely sobering, but they offer small changes we can make to rollback some of these planetary catastrophes. We can do this, if we work together. I have faith and hope we can make this world a better place for our children, if we work together.
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