So many things to consider and to cause anxiety face each of us today. If I asked you what are you worried about, you would likely have to think about which issues would get priority. For parents or grandparents, the health and safety of the kids is paramount. How do you go about protecting the future for your family? It requires a phased approach in my view. For today; no jumping off the roof, wearing your bike helmet, seat belts, nutritious food, vaccinations, comprehensive education, care and nurturing…so many things to influence and even assure a tomorrow.
Thinking longer term gets more complicated and nuanced. Setting a good example, protecting a democracy that espouses equity, inclusion and freedom of speech and choice. Education has to top the list of future critical elements. It makes sense that each of us would invest in our school systems and the teachers who bring them to life. As life proceeds, mental health and its importance in happiness and well being needs to be a focus. As we know, into each life a bit of rain must fall, dealing with it effectively is a challenge. Society benefits greatly from an appreciation for science and its influence on our world, while finding a balance that includes creative skill and imagination and a value of individuals and their culture.
I made a list of all of the things that are keeping me awake at night. I am not going to share them all with you because you may find things to add to your list that you had not considered. I have started a list of all of the things that make life worthwhile, fun, enjoyable, and priceless. I do not think you would make one list without the other.
What got me started down this path were two article I just finished about climate change. David Wallace-Wells writes for the New York Times. His May 19th, 2022 Opinion article left me chilled to the bone. He outlines the climate stalemate in Washington. Why does it matter if we kick the proverbial can down the road for ten years? Wells describes the cause of inaction at the Federal Government level. The science suggests we are rapidly running out of time and the costs on less than the achievement of a 0 carbon dioxide emissions by 2045 will be measured in trillions of dollars and humans dying from the heat and weather extremes.
I then read a Time Magazine article, “A Truth as Cold As Ice” by Arryn Baker. Baker describes how the ice caps act as shields that reflect the sun’s temperature back into the atmosphere, open seas absorb the energy and grow warmer. “The poles regulate our climate, our weather patterns, and ever our maritime food supply. And they are warming faster than anywhere else on earth and untold consequences for those who live at the planet’s more accommodating latitudes.” Wells described being in the Antarctic on Feb 6, 2020 when it logged its hottest temperature on record 64.9 Degrees. A group of ornithologists were there conducting a census on the chinstrap penguin. The Stony Brook researchers found the penguin population was down by 50 to 77% over the past 50 years. The penguins feed on krill as do most of the oceans creatures directly or indirectly, the temperature changes alter and endanger that food cycle. Six months later a Siberian city set a high temperature record of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Melting polar caps offer an easily visualized threat to sea coasts. A thawing permafrost “is a carbon bomb waiting to go off” as the soil thaws it will release significant carbon gas, further exacerbating global warming.
This is not a conspiracy theory but science warning us about the future planet we will leave our grandchildren and their children. Please push your elected officials to take action now to protect our home. The daily fears and concerns pale in comparison to saving the planet. It is not too late yet!!
Enjoy each day. Mike
