As we continue to see images of the category four Hurricane Dorian battering the Carolinas after bringing devastation to The Bahamas, just days after our news-cycle being dominated by the continuing burning of the Amazon, I can’t help wondering what the heck Mother Nature is up to. She’s definitely angry about something. Maybe it’s because we as a society are becoming less social less engaged and more insular in living our best lives through social media (guilty) and ordering from Postmates and watching Netflix and Hulu. Going outside is having less of a draw for me and many, I mean after all its a big scary world out there.
As we head into California’s fire season, it seems thoughts and prayers don’t really do much good. Honestly, my heart bleeds harder for all the animals who are misplaced, abandoned, looking for shelter or just plain lost. And is it all due to climate change, made so much worse by those who deny it?
I don’t know but I’m reading an awful lot about it to educate myself.
President Trump maintains his friendship with another authoritarian leader, Brazilian President Jair Bolsanaro. Bold action is needed to combat climate change but policy makers are refusing to do anything about it. Trump even skipped out of the meeting at the recent G-7 summit on the issue, whereas other world leaders committed to around $40 million to help find solutions to protect the Amazon. Congress must step in and do something about it.
So what do we know about the Amazon? According to various sources the trees in the forest hold something like 90 billion tons of carbon. If that ends up in the atmosphere, it would be equivalent to a decade’s worth of global carbon emissions. This incredible rainforest, dubbed ‘the earth’s lungs’ could end up a wasteland – how convenient for Bolsanaro, who has previously spoken about the need to develop that valuable land or turn it into grazing for cattle or hand it over to mining companies to extract its gold, aluminium and oil deposits.
Deforestation has expanded exponentially since Bolsanaro took office. Just for perspective, an area larger than Los Angeles disappeared in the month of July alone. Gone!
On a brighter note…
A few days before news of Brazil’s fires broke, I got to try out a new VR experience simply called “tree” wherein you start out as a little seedling, breaking the earth’s soil and growing into a beautiful gorgeous tree, with the wonders of nature all around you, coincidentally, in the Amazon. The sounds of running water in the distance in your headphones, and the sound of parrots who come to perch on your branches, monkeys playfully swinging on your vines are all there, until, in the far distance you start to see smoke, coming towards you at a rapid pace. The VR Operater lights a match under your nose to heighten your senses, but you are a tree and you can’t run anywhere – your trunk is firmly planted in the ground – you can do nothing but await your demise. I looked down and saw my trunk slowly burning – the VR operator has a heated Dyson fan at my feet. It felt so real and as I looked up to the sky… I was helpless. It’s an emotional journey and one that truly moved me. Nature truly is remarkable and lets face it – trees, bushes and plants are all living things too. And they are a huge part of what keeps us alive.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Go visit www.treepeople.org a local for non-profit, who basically plant trees. Starting at just $10 you can plant as tree in someone’s honor or in remembrance of a loved one who has passed, or just simply because you care about our environment. Will Smith and Leonardo DiCaprio have just teamed up after Leo donated $5million to the Amazon Forest Fund to create two pairs of sneakers with proceeds going directly to charities dealing with the Amazon. Will said “we’ve only got one Mother Earth and she’s worth protecting”.
There’s plenty more things we can do to conserve and protect our wildlife and nature in general. “Heal the Bay” are gearing up for their annual beach clean up. Say no to plastic straws. Plant more bushes and plants and even trees, if you have the space. Step away from your tablets and phones and go do something. Before the planet is completely destroyed.
Let’s step up together. We can do more, no matter how little. Meat free Mondays is a great way to start. You can always have bacon on Tuesday….try it!
Cheers
Craig
