Here We Are, Climate Change Is Now, What to Do?

The dangerous heat waves of this summer got me thinking about our human relationship with the natural world. Curbing global warming is crucial now. This truth is all too obvious.

Along with taking steps to reduce and eliminate gas emissions that cause the warming, we, as a culture need to reevaluate our relationship with nature. I have seen and heard the saying, ‘we’re all in this together’ meaning that peoples everywhere are experiencing effects of climate change, intense storms, heat, drought, cloudbursts and so on. Yes, we are all in this together; all the living organisms on earth are in this, too.

I am fortunate that I grew up on a working farm and lived intimately with the fields, forests, streams, and wildlife. And also the circle of seasons and weather throughout the year. I have lived in cities, too. I know the heat of concrete buildings and streets at mid-day in August. While I lived in a city, I came to realize how detached and ignorant people can be about the natural world.

This ignorance is dangerous. We need to tackle and reduce climate change to save not only ourselves, but the ecosystems that we are an integral part of and that we depend upon for our well-being, our survival. One example, our food comes from plants, whether you are a vegetarian or not. Cows eat grass and grain! Beyond our own self-interest, it is vital that we realize that complex ecosystems of interdependent species need to be supported and cared for. It’s like taking a brick out of a wall, then another. It doesn’t seem to make a difference until it does, and the wall itself collapses.

To stimulate more awareness, take note of the sounds, sights, and feel of nature around you. Some of us may need to mourn what has changed and what has already been lost. But also be thankful for the beauty and wonder that is. On a podcast I heard recently, the presenter suggested that we go barefoot in our yards, to connect more directly with the earth. I did, and it brought me back to my childhood days when by the end of summer my feet were tough enough to walk across a black top road feeling nothing!

So, each household: reduce the use of hydrocarbons! Love and cherish this natural world that we are a part of and that sustains us.