Everybody complains about the weather but nobody does anything about it, nothing practical that is.
Whether you believe that climate change is man-made or a natural phenomenon that has occurred many times before in the earth’s history is immaterial. Climate change is indeed happening and it may well become a serious challenge for mankind but to think that we can control the inevitable is as unrealistic as trying to stop the tides. Such thinking is at best naive and at worst arrogant.
While there’s a lot of hysteria, most of the barking is up the wrong tree and when the sky-is-falling common sense goes out the window. The only rational and practical action would be to prepare for climate change. Some considerations would include changes to the building code, including no more building in flood zones, solar roofs on all new buildings. Planting of different crops and vegetation, preparing for farming in areas that were formerly unsuitable . Finding different food sources. Stocking salmon in rivers that were formerly too cold and so on.
The most important needs for humans and animals alike are still food, water and shelter and with the current trend toward overpopulation comes the threat of famine and mass starvation which in turn could lead to widespread disease or even war. Whether we take appropriate action to prepare for our survival in a changed climate or not, in the end the earth itself will be alright because Mother Nature will take care of things as she always has.
Without people to pollute the environment she will grow healthy and strong again, perhaps to generate life once more, hopefully of a less self-important kind.
Hans Rysdyk
Qualicum Beach