Of Climate Change!

Nature is the most immediate reality we know. Nature is earth, the sea and the sky. It is the air that we breathe, the water that we drink, the food that we eat, and the clothes that we wear. The flora and fauna, the soil and rocks, mines and minerals, the sights and the sounds and smells that surround us are nature. Nature is all these and more. Nature is the source of all plant and animal life. It is the source of gold and diamond, gems and jewels, life giving oxygen and energy. Nature is the biggest dispensary in which all kinds of medicines are available. It is the source of life.

Nature is one of the most favorite themes of literature. Poets and musicians have found, unending inspiration in nature. The gurgle of the brook rushing over the pebbles, the scent of summer flowers, the budding foliage of spring, the colors of the rainbow, the glory of the sunrise, the crimson glow of sunset, the song of the nightingale, the call of the ocean, the whistle of the night wind through the paddy field, the dance of the clouds, the majesty of a waterfall. All these and more are marvels of nature that poets and writers feed on.

Wordsworth calls nature ‘friend, philosopher and guide’. And Keats seeks solace in the songs of the ‘Nightingale’.

Climate change is real, the actions of mankind are the origin of climate change, and there is no known way to reverse climate change - we can only hope to slow the rate of change for the next several thousand years. These basic truths must be accepted by nations and form the basis for national policy.

Secondly, national policies must accept that climate change is global in its scope, global in its causes, and global in its mitigation. No one country can resolve the problem, nor can any country avoid it. If the human civilization is to survive as we know it, all nations must fully and freely cooperate. The alternative to rapidly developing means of open international cooperation and assistance is for the nations to turn themselves into armed fortress to protect their resources and prevent immigration of displaced climatic refugees. Inevitably, this approach would lead to global warfare and destruction, and a radically altered environment.

And, thirdly national policies must accept that there is no one solution that will fit all nations, rather entirely different approaches will be required in different regions and nations. For example, the developed nations must eliminate their dependence upon fossil fuels while maintaining their quality of life, while developing nations must forgo the use of fossil fuels while attempting to meet the natural aspirations of their citizens for an improved quality of life. It would appear obvious that an international sharing of resources, technologies and expertise will be required.

Can all nations set aside regional, political, historical, cultural and religious differences and cooperate in the resolution and survival of Global Climate Change? If not, human civilization is surely a toast.