The wildfires burning through densely populated neighborhoods in Colorado this week are on my mind.
Fire burning in Colorado Springs June 26, 2012
I clicked a link about “how to help,” and found the familiar call for financial contributions to aid the dispossessed, as well as the firefighters.
No mention of the underlying cause of these fires—drought brought on by climate disruption.
No mention of how the real way to help would be to insist that our country start converting to renewable energy, immediately, to slow the relentless buildup of greenhouse gases and show international leadership that could be emulated by other nations.
Just send donations, so we can get back to business as usual ASAP.
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Yesterday I was thinking about going cherry-picking at the local farm where I’ve been picking cherries every summer since I was a little girl.
Going on the website to check the orchard hours, I was aghast to discover that the entire crop had been ruined by a hailstorm last Friday—part of the cold front that broke the excessive heat we were sweltering under last week.
This week it’s been delightfully chilly here in Massachusetts. I love the cool weather, but my tomato plants sure don’t.
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Is it so far-fetched to imagine a time when it’s impossible to rely on the steady, rhythmic progression of the seasons to bring us just the right sun and rain to grow our crops?
What will we do when the food shortages begin?
Let them eat crude! ExxonMobil, Shell, BP and the rest will cry, as the climate guillotine puts our entire human civilization on the block.
We’ll be frackin’ whacked then, won’t we.
Transition Times 
Martin Lack
/ June 28, 2012I am reminded of the Native American chief who said, “When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money.”
http://lackofenvironment.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/white-mans-folly/
I also think there is a parallel with the cycle of starvation and calls for international aid. Charity is commendable; but it will never solve a problem that is caused by population density exceeding the capacity of the local environment to support life (i.e. not a fixed number).
http://lackofenvironment.wordpress.com/2012/05/17/dirty-water-kills-180-children-per-hour/
Therefore, unless or until people start to think holistically (i.e. join the dots as Bill McKibbin would say), we will not see an end to such familiar crises: The main reason that history repeats itself is that no-one was listening…
mato48
/ June 30, 2012I agree with every point of the post and everything of your comment, but would like to add that thinking holistically alone will not change anything.
You probably meant: Unless or until people start to act responsibly and radically change their lifestyle to minimize their carbon footprint, we will not see an end to such familiar crises.
Martin Lack
/ June 30, 2012Very good point. One can think holistically and actually do nothing…