I have just finished watching a documentary on PBS called The Age of Nature. There were three episodes and I do not know if there will be more, but I was impressed by the way the film presented the big picture of our global warming crisis. This problem, quite literally, is affecting our entire globe from the tops of our highest mountains to the depths of the sea – and everything in between. So many things have contributed to the degradation of our planet. It is not just the carbon emissions from automobiles and industrial complexes. It is not only fracking and our reliance on fossil fuels. It is not just agriculture or the clearcutting and deforestation that are to blame. It is all of these things – and more – that have placed our planet on the brink of total collapse. The problems cannot be solved by only one person or one country. This global problem requires all of us together to figure it out and to do our part.
It was heartening to see that many people all over the world have tackled some of these momentous challenges. Where actions have been taken to clean up some of our messes, nature has come to our aid, reviving forests and parts of the ocean, returning areas to their native condition, and bringing back biodiversity. It is remarkable to see the transformation of those places where we have worked with nature and not against her. She is our ally. She is capable of healing those natural systems that we have broken.
In a few days or weeks, once the voting count has been settled and is behind us; and when Joe Biden becomes our new leader, we will re-enter the Paris Agreement, which Trump so foolishly withdrew us from. Since the dawn of industrialization, the United States has been the largest contributor to greenhouse gases. Today we have dropped to second place, with China moving to the number one slot. Climate change is affecting our economy. We have already had sixteen climate disasters, each costing us one million dollars or more, in 2020 alone. So often it is the smaller and the poorer countries that must endure the effects of climate change. The Trump administration withdrew two thirds of money that was pledged, to come to the aid of those countries impacted by climate change. The UK, Germany, France, and ten other countries doubled their pledges! Personally, I find this embarrassing. As one of the wealthiest countries in the world, we should feel ashamed. Our country has the ability to do so much good for the world. There is simply no excuse for the joblessness, homelessness, and hopelessness that so many are being driven to; while the wealthiest 1% continue to exploit fellow citizens and the entire world for their own gain.
I know in my heart that good, in time, will always conquer evil. My heart is filled with hope for that day when we re-enter the Paris Agreement and show the world by our example (and not by Trump’s empty words) that it is our collective integrity as a nation, that makes us great.
