Even though many of us are fighting for ethical business and an ethical lifestyle, treading more lightly on our planet and doing no harm to people and animals, it’s still rather obvious that a huge climate change is now upon us and most scientist agree that unless change happens really fast there will be very little we can do about the consequences of our selfish actions and rises in co2 emissions that are not reducing.
Humans cannot and will not, win over the planet.
That is my belief and I am not alone in this thinking. So the sooner we get our thinking caps on and think how we can thrive in the future the better. The only way to “BE” with the planet is to live in harmony with and NOT try to win it over!
(adapted) Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
The most frightening aspect about this video I am adding below, is the way humans think that they can build changes into natural environments. Building walls and dams will not stop water levels rising.. all this will do is send the water down unnatural pathways. And although drains and vents that are aesthetically pleasing as well as supposedly functional it’s doubtful that these will cope with what lies ahead.
Isn’t it ironic that natural drainage, “earth and trees” are still being devastated throughout the world every single day?
Road building and urban sprawl is set to increase due to rising populations, which will also put more strain on the infrastructure and services available, and will cause even more destruction and devastation of natural land that is undoubtedly part of our planet’s balancing and self healing system. I know there is a lot of talk about building upwards to prevent urban sprawl but the fact of the matter is that our governments haven’t yet had the guts to say NO to the planners who continue to spread around even more housing estates. And the roads… well these are things that are in constant need of resurfacing which currently is mass consumption of oil used in the tarmac. Do you know how many cars there are per capita on this planet?
I am being rather pessimistic I know that but it’s very difficult to keep the faith when all around I can see only devastation or city planners who are not acting in the best interests of our planet. In Chester UK which is where I live currently, there are new housing estates being built on every spare plot of land that is available and I think there is only ONE green roof that I know of (on the roodee car park cafe). Now isn’t that a crying shame for an ancient city which is attractive to so many tourists?
On a positive note there is nationally, plenty that is being done by “working in harmony with nature” like the building of green roofs for insulation.
These have immense cooling properties whilst undeniably creating new environments for wildlife. Many green roofs are providing new places to cultivate and harvest food and other crops too, although the potential of humans to continue to spray these with harmful pesticides is still a great concern.
So back to the point, will such planning and preparations save us?
And are these plans and preparations merely aimed at survival of the human race so it can continue in the same way as it is now? Its a bit like putting a sticky plaster on a wound without first cleaning it. (now that’s a metaphor I could use quite often). And in doing this, the wound will just become septic as infected bacteria continues the thrive. In other words … are we planning ahead to cover up the “ills of the human race“?
Who will survive?
Who dictates that a city should be saved with a concrete wall or defense barrier, but the small villages around it shall not?
You cannot put walls around everything and everybody can you? The water from rising sea levels is going to go somewhere and as long as this is the case then we should “go with the flow” (if you pardon the pun). Water will seek the lower levels which will eventually be submerged and humans and animals will retreat to higher grounds. Higher grounds did I say? Well we will then have to adapt to lower oxygen levels and colder temperatures as well. Are we prepared for that?
As the greenhouse effect continues to grow, how will we all adapt to the changes that we are about to be faced with?
The one thing that is worrying is the increasing conflict that will heighten as humans fight for diminished resources. Hey we are not to be without any hope are we though? Because we are gonna make change happen faster aren’t we? We are going to be the change that we need to be TODAY! Aren’t we?
It’s up to us as individuals. There are no quick fixes and we are all learning by doing.. but as Vicki says in her speech..”the operative word is DOING!”
An interesting video.. let us know what you think…
Set aside the politics: Data shows that climate change is happening, measurably, now. And as Vicki Arroyo says, it’s time to prepare our homes and cities for the new climate, with its increased risk of flooding, drought and uncertainty. She illustrates this inspiring talk with bold projects from cities all over the world — local examples of thinking ahead
About Karen Maskall
As humans are hitting the environment brutally then I’d like to give some feedback. I think we, (humans) have done a lot for leading a superior lifestyle and we’ve created so many high rises buildings for living and large companies with huge polluting components, together having damaged the fair balance of the environment. I think it’s the high time of recovering this situation but as you mention where is the real evidence of such postive change happening so that we can live in harmony with our planet instead of fighting against it and creating even more problems trying to control it all. Flood defense barriers as you so rightly mention are mans way of controlling rising water levels but at the end of the day who are we to avert the natural laws of water distribution, like formation of lakes and rivers? Will we ever learn?
I think you hit the nail on the head there Franklin.
Water will find natural ways to form new lakes and rivers which in turn will create new habitats for wildlife. If man creates unnatural water diversions then they will always be fighting against rising sea levels.
The best thing to do is to begin relocating to higher lands. That’s a massive undertaking and it might be best that some towns and villages accept that may indeed become very much like Venice where the water is all around and their transport is boats instead of cars. Now there’s a thought :-)
love the bit about putting a sticky plaster over an uncleaned wound. it just about sums up the reality of humans fighting agains nature instead of CHANGING and becoming cleaner themselves.
It is the root causes of all of this climate change that need to be addressed with urgency. BUT sadly hardly anyone is paying attention or making any real efforts because everyone thinks that someone else will solve the problems of climate change ahead.
Yeah I thought comparing an infected wound to the majority of the human race and covering it up instead of going through a cleansing process, was a pretty good metaphor too Sue.
I thinks its a pretty good metaphor too, albeit rahter unusual.
The future planning to survive climate change which is now rapidly upon us seems on the surface a good thing to be investing in. But wouldnt it be far better to consider huge areas of land for water infilling making huge lakes and resevoirs for our clean drinking water? There wont be any drains that can cope with the rising sea levles and diverting it around cities that only continue to pollute the planet isn’t the right thing to do.
Climate changes are caused of environmental abuse and irresponsible disposal of waste. People do things without thinking of the possible outcome to our nature and to our communities. We are all responsible for this changes so each, and everyone of us must do something to protect our nature and our lives.