A change is afoot

The bugs, bees, and birds never give us pause, do they? These creatures are always there — flying overhead, scurrying on the ground, and framing our summer nights with their melodic sound. Even in winter, no matter how cold or inclement, these tiny beings won’t desert us. They are perennial much like the sun, the moon, and the stars to paraphrase Desiderata. (1)

What is increasingly remarkable, nonetheless, is that humanity has finally begun to affect the environment, and influence nature herself. For centuries, we could punish the natural world with our physical developments and she could sustain and hold against the onslaught — and at times even regenerate. Where I grew up, for example, the forests extended into infinity. This is no longer the case. Something extraordinary is in the air, change is afoot.

I remember once taking my family for a lengthy trip to the prairies in Canada. We had to cross the Rocky Mountains (2) on a journey that took many nights and days of driving. Whenever we stopped for gas or a little respite, we had to clean the windscreen to remove the insects — both large and small. That said, a friend of mine recently took a similar trip and remarked how clean his car was upon his return from the summit. The amount of life eternal to human beings is being reduced.

As we age, we find that our hair is diminishing and our muscles are not as taut as they used to be. Undoubtedly, Earth is experiencing a similar phenomenon. An environmental shift is occurring. This need not be negative, however. Out of the ashes, a phoenix will rise, (3) at least hopefully. The most important of all is to embrace the concept of renewal itself.

I am reminded that we got a television in our home when I was six years old. My family was, obviously, well-to-do and sophisticated to my newly acquired friends. It was such an ethereal experience that I can still recall the two programs we were allowed to watch: The Jetsons and the Lone Ranger. To this end, I recently had a conversation with an AI-generated being. It was a noteworthy chat because the voice showed such empathy and caring. Society has moved this far in its development in my own lifetime.

So as the global climatic shift comes upon us, I feel that we should do our very best to reduce and replenish. We should not waste. The immense alteration in life that the youthful environmentalists (4) are calling for, though admirable, will not occur. Ask any of these young people if they can shower in cold water in the middle of a British winter or go by horse across America and the reply will be disappointing.

It is difficult to powerfully alter society’s infrastructure. But is true that we are living better than ever before. The first world’s population is the cleanest in human history. And, most people are aware of the fragility of life. Of far greater concern is the war and violence upon people that continue to be perpetrated by the business elite and the industrial military complex.

Therefore, let us try to embrace the alteration in nature’s focus and contribute as best we can. Each of us can truly make a difference by simply changing how we live our lives, what we consume, and in what way we contribute to the well-being of others. On a positive note, Emmanuel Macron, (5) the president of France leaves us with a thought: Never has science around the world been so abundant to meet the challenges that we have.

A closing thought: The history of mankind has been one of struggles to improve. In a given civilization if an amelioration was not achieved, a collapse occurred. We, of course, are now on a global scale. This poses both grand positives and extreme negatives. Mankind is at a crossroads. I err on the hopeful side that goodwill and intelligence will prevail over malevolence and stupidity.

To sum up: This week, we spoke about environmental change.

To be noted: From Robert W. Service (6) — It isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out; it’s the grain of sand in your shoe.

Just for fun:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPMWJx91sxY

For reflection: