We are still very fortunate
As I read international news I have to say we are still very fortunate. Europe, even normally lush England, is in the grip of its worst drought in 500 years. Hunger stones are appearing in dried‑up European rivers with messages saying “If you see me, weep!” (The New York Times sees the Europe drought in terms of how it’s bad for the river cruises American tourists usually enjoy.)
But America itself is facing drought as is China, although we’re seeing in China now as in Pakistan the effects of sudden torrential rain on parched land.
Not only is the UK facing drought, they are also facing an energy crisis at a time when their leadership is in disarray and the destabilizing effects of Brexit are leaving everyone but the very wealthy facing a grim winter. I wouldn’t want anyone in England right now to see my Hydro bill. They wouldn’t believe it.
We’re still so lucky that, even with the housing crisis and environmental degradation coming for us too, the main thing our provincial parties can find to squabble about is language.
j2 20:56 on 2022-08-29 Permalink
“climate change will manifest as a series of disasters viewed through phones with footage that gets closer and closer to where you live until you’re the one filming it”
https://twitter.com/PerthshireMags/status/1549522710539210757
Kate 09:32 on 2022-08-30 Permalink
Yes.
su 13:17 on 2022-08-30 Permalink
Too bad western policy makers based their climate policies on the questionable cost/ benefit modelling of Nobel laureate – capitalist economist William Nordhaus. He assessed that keeping global average temperatures below 4 degrees C. would be too risky to GDP growth.
So here we are at 1.1 C . Yikes!
EmilyG 13:56 on 2022-08-30 Permalink
I’ve heard people remind everyone that the current climate disasters happening in other parts of the world, are largely due to irresponsible climate-harming behaviours from “developed” countries.
Orr 10:53 on 2022-09-03 Permalink
If you recall what the US did historically to assure oil supply, you have to wonder what they will do when US politicians start yelling that the great lakes water is being “wasted” by just flowing out into the Atlantic. I have seen predictions of the St-Laurence going to be dry in this century because of water diversion to the parched US southwest. Treaties and ‘norms’ not going to matter much what with recent US history showing how much treaties and norms matter when politics and power come into play.
Golden age was good while it lasted.
And what happens when a drought hits Quebec and HQ has to make a choice between domestic supply and honouring our US electricity export contracts? I would like to read that part of the hydro-quebec export contract’s fine print.