I was in Salt Lake City for the Annual 12th District Federal Reserve Meeting. It is not the “place” I want to live but do encourage you to visit. The picture is from the Red Butte Garden not far from the Natural History Museum. It is a serene place to appreciate nature and sit and ponder the world if you are so inclined. I took a lot of pictures but the succulent arbor was most impressive. I am now informed that nearly all cacti are succulents but not all succulents are cacti. If you know your botany, these are plants adapted to retain water in arid climates and soil conditions. The root Latin word means “juice” or “sap”. These are a great addition to your rock garden or zero scape.
Speaking of climates, ours is definitely changing. We still hear from climate deniers but it is not a fair debate, greenhouse gases are a threat to the future of the planet. I felt some relief learning that scientists forecast we may not render Earth uninhabitable until a billion years from now. That does not forecast how we might be able to live. For now, we need to focus on the immediate future. The United Nations just released an updated scientific evaluation of the world’s progress toward the goals of the Paris Climate Accord signed in 2015.
The Paris agreement called on nations to focus on green house gas emissions to limit temperature increase above pre-industrial levels ton 1.5 degrees by the end of this century. The study shows although the world is making some progress it is insufficient to meet the goal. We saw the hottest month in the recorded history of the planet in July of this year. By the way, in 2016 it was predicted with a 93% probability that event would happen between 2022 and 2026. The former President, in his infinite wisdom, pulled the United States out of the agreement. The current enlightened President put our country back in the leadership position on the first day of his term. I hope before you consider voting for a person, climate change denial would make the party or individual a non starter.
Catastrophic weather events should be sufficient to increase our sense of urgency. The costs in human life and property repair will force significant financial adjustments in items like insurance. In 2021 the United States suffered l8 separate climate related events that cost over $1billion, the total for the year $145 billion. In 2022, l8 more events costing $165 billion and so far this year 23 events of a billion or more. The Lahaina fire is estimated at $5.5 billion and the California Floods at $4.6 billion. It appears 2023 will set another record financial loss. If you consider the impacts on the residents of the areas and their communities the damages are not measurable. FEMA needs an additional $12 billion to provide emergency aid—oh the Republicans in the House are going to try to shut down the government over their budget non sense.
So to another topic. In Limestone, Tennessee a reticulated giraffe was born without spots. His name is Kipekee-meaning “unique” in Swahili. It has happened before, in l972 in the Tokyo zoo. Recently an Angolan giraffe was born spotless. No analysis yet on the genetics of the phenomenon. However, in an opposing view a Penn State experts believes it is “one spot- all over the giraffes”.
Keep it together. Mike