So many thoughts. All of which I’ve withheld today because: I was overwhelmed with emotion and try not to speak publicly in that state of anxiety.
The IPCC report is legit terrifying but not all that surprising. The fact that it’s not surprising is concerning in and of itself.
We have roughly 12 years to turn this around - it’s incredibly unlikely we’ll do so.
All this gorgeous, troubling humanity and life - art, music, books, dogs, dolphins, sunsets, our beloved connections - even angst, hardship, and existential sadness - all that’s at risk of going away within a century. Because we can’t get our shit together.
Because we won’t get our shit together. Im 33, Forrest (my partner) and I have been grappling with the idea of children for a year or so now. Part of me wonders if this might be one of the last human generations to experience the beauty and wonder of being alive on this planet
And wonders if that’s reason enough to have a kid. What if they’re one of the last generations who get to be human? The other, more logical part of me, looks at the stats of what we’re headed towards and is not only terrified of bringing a kid into that world
- feels like it would be irresponsible. I can’t protect a child from catastrophic climate change. Maybe if I had millions of dollars but I don’t. I have lots of love to give - but I don’t have the means to protect them from the horrors that scientists are clearly laying out.
I don’t know what we’ll do. We don’t know what we’ll do. That’s a very personal choice and I don’t begrudge anyone for making it either way.
All that to say, this is close to home and personal. We just spent the day prepping for the 3rd hurricane heading our way this year - many of which thanks to climate change are getting stronger, slower, and wetter - altogether more dangerous for those of us living on the coast.
So yeah, #CLIMATECHANGEISREAL and already hurting us. And after reading the IPCC report this morning, I’m not at all surprised but I’m really pissed.
Why can’t we fix this? We have the means and ability to. The only thing we don’t have is the will. What is wrong with humans? Why don’t we want to live?
I for one, really love this world and life and precious gift of existence. And I’d love to keep gifting that to others.
I’m not going to give you a bunch of hopeful shit. My hope button is currently broken. But my courage is still working: and until the day I die I’m going to keep trying to protect this world full of the people and places I love so much.
The only one I know of that contains magic and beauty and love. The only one I know that gave me this gift of life.
If you can’t see what we’re at risk of giving up, if you’re too afraid or wary or busy to do anything and everything within your power to protect this gift of life - this mother earth that supports us all- then we’re all in real trouble, friends.
Because we’re f*cking this up big time. And according to the world’s best climate scientists, we only have 12 ish years to turn it around. Love bigger. Fight harder. All our lives and all life on earth is at stake. <fin>
