SEPTEMBER 2021

Back in 2018, I created this website in response to the unprecedented rate at which our forests were burning. The same urgency that compelled me then continues to drive my concern today, as we witness little action being taken to address the root cause of the problem.

Fast forward to September 1, 2021, and it appears that little has been done to combat human-induced climate change resulting from our excessive use of fossil fuels and the subsequent increase in CO2 emissions. In 2018, former US President Trump even went so far as to deny the existence of climate change. Despite this, the US government released statements acknowledging that the climate was indeed warming due to human activities and the burning of fossil fuels. Still, society seemed to be caught in a debate about the reality of human-caused climate change.

Now, slowly but surely, more people are starting to recognize the problem. However, there are still enough individuals who either deny its existence or simply don’t care enough to take action. News outlets often provide vague coverage on climate change, opting to call it a “100-year fire season, storm, heatwave, wind event” rather than what it truly is: a Human-Caused Climate Crisis. It’s alarming how easily clear evidence is ignored, labeling heatwaves in the American Northwest, floods in Germany, unprecedented wind events, and raging fires in California, Siberia, and Canada as isolated events or rare occurrences. The cumulative impact of these events points to a clear problem: the climate change crisis has become the “new normal”. As if accepting this path to possible destruction of ourselves and the natural world is “normal”.

Are we humans too adaptable for our own good? Our lives are relatively short compared to the Earth’s history, and our memories are far less reliable than we might think. Just a few years of abnormal weather patterns—warmer temperatures, dwindling forests, and scarce rainfall in the western USA—have become the new norm. As a species, we have overestimated our intelligence and underestimated the consequences of our actions.

The very network that our society has built, elevating us to the status of a superior species, is also becoming our downfall. We depend on our social network for information and rely on it to define our version of “truth.” It is not social media or even news outlets that are the most reliable sources of information about Global Warming. Science is the most reliable source for understanding the outcome of continuing to add more and more CO2 to the atmosphere by burning fossil fuels.

The fact that we, as a collective, are not fully convinced of the reality of human-induced climate change and the urgent need for action is a testament to the inertia of non-action that has brought us to this point. I keep hoping for significant change, but even with all the evidence, there has been no change. Has the carbon being added to the atmosphere been reduced? No, it just continues to increase. Feedback loops such as smoke from fires adding to the CO2 and melting ice at the poles no longer reflecting sunlight only compound the problem. Have we lost touch with the urgency of the climate crisis?

Maybe the underlying reason for our inaction, denial, and exacerbation of the climate crisis is the inherent human desire to rely on empowered entities to take care of us? Major news outlets and the political voices shaping our public reality often fail to acknowledge the climate change problem, hiding behind distractions and attributing blame elsewhere. The truth is that we are causing the climate to change through our excessive burning of fossil fuels, releasing CO2 into the atmosphere. Our actions are leading us down a perilous path, where the future consequences for our climate and civilization could be catastrophic. We cannot rely on outdated predictions; the reality is far worse than anticipated.

Take, for example, the California wildfire problem. While there has been considerable discussion in the media about poor forest management and the lack of controlled burn fires, this issue is not limited to California alone—it’s a global problem. Sometimes, the simplest truths are the most difficult to see. The cause of the devastating fires that have engulfed forests worldwide is glaringly obvious: increasing temperatures. It is alarming that many fail to grasp this fundamental fact. The changing climate, accompanied by drought conditions, exacerbates the forest fire problem, making it much more severe. However, those who believe this is solely a “California problem” will soon realize their mistake. In areas that were once cooler, increased temperatures will cause trees to die and become fuel for wildfires. Forest fires will become a global concern, impacting forested states across the United States, such as Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Montana, and beyond.

By acknowledging the simplicity of the problem, we can begin to address it with urgency. Our society’s interconnectedness, which once elevated us, is now blinding us to the gravity of the situation. It’s time to break free from the inertia of denial and take collective action. We must transition to cleaner energy sources, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and adopt sustainable practices. Each individual has a part to play in preserving the planet for future generations.

Our intelligence and adaptability can be harnessed for positive change. We must reconnect with the natural world, recognize our impact, and take responsibility for the future of our planet. The time for action is now.