Talking about global warming on a day in April when I woke up to 36-degree Fahrenheit temperatures may feel to some as if we’re perpetuating some kind of myth or conspiracy theory. We have this horrible tendency to consider global warming theory as meaning the same thing to all regions around the world. We’ve blocked it from being taught in many schools because we fail to understand how critical the matter is to the world as a whole and probably won’t recognize the danger until it’s too late.
Warning: for much of the world, it’s already too late.
Take a look at the picture above. I’ve been coming to the same spot in this park for 19 years. Normally, including last year, I could not stand on dry ground to take this picture from this position. The water would be at least ankle-deep. While we’ve set some rainfall records for the month, there still is a deficit in the amount of water flooding traditional wetlands. This may not yet affect how green the grass is in your overly manicured earth-warming yard, but it does affect the wildlife living off the wetlands, and that wildlife inevitably impacts the quality of the air you breathe and the temperatures in which you are forced to live and work. Changes that are occurring are not yet to the point that they are slapping you in the face on a daily basis, but that doesn’t mean they’re not sneaking up behind you, ready to pounce.
We tend to think of the Middle East as a relatively dry place, don’t we? We hear the reference and think of camels and deserts and turbans. Last week, the Dubai Airport had to close and a record number of people were killed because of rain and flooding. Just this morning, The Washington Post published the story: “Flooding Wreaks Havoc Across East Africa. Burundi Is Especially Hard Hit.” Climate change is real and if it’s not already affecting you in disastrous ways, just wait: you could be next.
The climate on this little blue ball of nonsense has never been all that stable. That’s why our most ancient ancestors created deities whom they could blame when weather-related disasters such as floods, storms, famine, and drought. They didn’t have any understanding of science or weather patterns and how they work, so they invented something to help them understand. They were wrong, but it gave them comfort to pray to those deities and offer them sacrifices.
Now, as our understanding of climate and weather continues to increase, we can see more reliably how actions in one part of the world affect weather in other parts of the world. What we do in North America has a disastrous effect on people on the African continent. As things change in the Middle East, Europe can suffer changes that upend the entire food supply and their ability to work outdoors.
Yet, right here on the ground level people in the United States, continue to remain willfully ignorant of climate matters and think that this whole warming thing is “just a phase that will straighten itself out.” Yes, it’s going to straighten itself out, but it may not do so in a manner conducive to the continuation of human life on this planet. We are latecomers to the scene anyway. The planet has no obligation to keep us alive.
One of the reports released earlier this morning states “World’s Workers Increasingly At Risk As Climate Changes.” This report from the International Labor Organisation (ILO) should make everyone shudder more than a bit. Among its findings are fun things like air pollution killing 860,00 workers each year. Now, compared to a global population of just under eight billion, 860,000 may not sound like much unless you or your children happen to be among that 860,000.
“We do have some (countries) that already limit exposure to high temperatures and also limit exposure to air pollution, but we rarely have occupational exposure limits set for the other hazards,” said Manal Azzi, ILO Senior Specialist on occupational safety and health.
Hmmm. Could he possibly be talking about the states of Florida and Texas that block local governments from passing laws that protect outdoor laborers? Seriously, the states of Florida and Texas won’t allow city governments to require that workers be provided with shade and water during the hottest months. This isn’t only a denial of climate change, but genocide toward those who work in extreme heat, people who are often among the lowest paid and least likely to be politically involved.
When you consider the full cocktail of environmental changes that affect those who work outdoors, that 860,000 number jumps to over 3.4 billion. Is that a large enough number for you? That’s more than 90% of the entire US population. Anyone who spends any significant time outdoors is in trouble and should be considered at high risk for lethal health issues.
Another article released from Brussels this morning warns that ” Europe is increasingly facing bouts of heat so intense that the human body cannot cope, as climate change continues to raise temperatures.” This wonderful bit of news comes from the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service and the World Meteorological Organization. What they’re specifically looking at is a 7% increase in the parts of Europe where daytime temps have exceeded 46 degrees Celsius, the point at which the body needs immediate healthcare to prevent heat stroke and other issues. In one particularly disastrous case, a 44-year-old man painting road markings in the Italian town of Lodi collapsed from the heat and died before an ambulance had time to respond.
Europe is the fastest-warming continent on the planet. Heat-related deaths there have increased by more than 30% in the past twenty years, making it one of the most dangerous places to work or play outside. With the Summer Olympics coming to France this year, how the heat will impact athletes is a major concern, especially when outdoor track events are frequently held in relatively quick succession, not giving athletes a lot of time to recover from the previous event.
None of this is terribly new, of course. Scientists have been warning that deaths and illnesses are going to increase if countries don’t take demonstrable measures to offset the warming. The Paris Accords were passed but the United States and several other countries have failed to live up to their part of the agreement. This is a dangerous situation where we are allowing petty politics to interfere with the potential extinction of our species.
I know that, as a group, humans can be extremely stupid and self-defeating. Are we so stupid, though, as to endanger human survival beyond the next 100 years?
Yeah, we’re that stupid. I’d worry for your grandchildren if I were you.
There’s Someone In Your Life Who Needs The Insurance Money
You’re Starving While Searching For Non-GMO Food
When The Polar Ice Cap Melts, You’ll Drown
You Drive Like A Moron
The Elevator Cable Broke
You Share Needles
You Weren’t Immunized
You Left The Oven On
Elves
Morning Update: 08/31/24
Sure, we’re running a little late this morning and yes, it is intentional. I didn’t want to get up. I imagine that several other people feel the same. With the storms that went through last night and a forecast full of maybe-it-will, maybe-it-won’t scattered showers, staying in bed and cuddling with the pups seemed like the most expedient thing to do. Besides, there’s no big breaking news story this morning and nothing dramatic going on here at home. Taking the weekend a little more calmly is an intelligent move, in my opinion.
I’m missing my readers, though. They’ve disappeared. They were sitting on the desk earlier this morning when I fed the cats, and now they’re gone. They’re not behind the desk or on either side, which is the natural first place to look. I can’t imagine either of the twins grabbing them and running off with them. They’ve both stuck pretty close this morning. I’m completely mystified. Fortunately, I can get by without them for most things. As long as I’m not facing any small print, we’ll be okay. I’m pretty sure I have a spare pair around here somewhere.
One thing I have noticed more this week is how fragile my skin has become. It seems that the slightest brush against anything results in bruising, and a faint scratch is enough to draw blood. My most frequent injury comes from the dogs. As they try to get my attention to take them outside, they’ll put a paw on my arm. They’re not being aggressive in the least, but almost every time I get outside, and discover that I have blood running down my arm. I don’t feel the scratch, but it’s there and it will leave a scar. My arms are covered with them. I know this is largely a natural part of aging, with some inherited traits thrown in. Once it is cool enough to wear long sleeves, the problem with go away. The whole issue just highlights how fragile I’ve become.
Speaking of fragile, there’s an interesting story in today’s Times. It seems that the weight loss drug Wegovy reduces instances of death from COVID. Mind you, it doesn’t prevent anyone from getting the disease. However, patients who are on the drug are significantly less likely to die. The problem? No one currently understands why the drug is having this effect. Without understanding the why, it’s almost impossible for doctors to know when/if it is safe to prescribe the drug as a treatment. Studies are underway, of course, but it could be a while before any resolution is found.
Here’s something interesting. Are your kids, especially your daughters worried about getting wrinkles? Apparently, that’s a thing, and it’s causing problems. As young people, we’re talking 11- and 12-year-olds, start watching social media influencers for tips on keeping their skin looking younger, they’re inadvertently doing more harm than good. For starters, all those adult-dosed chemicals, “can actually cause premature aging, destroy the skin barrier and lead to permanent scarring.” Oh, but that’s not all. “Extensive data suggests a fixation on appearance can affect self-esteem and body image and fuel anxiety, depression and eating disorders.” As I look around and see entire generations suffering from those exact issues, I wonder if we’re accidentally dooming our kids to more problems by not teaching them to love themselves as they are.
In stranger news, an Arizona office worker was found dead in a cubicle 4 days after last scanning in. This happened at a Wells Fargo facility in Tempe. Apparently, the 60-year-old woman worked in a “less populated” area of the building. No one noticed when she didn’t scan out. No one noticed anything until, presumably, the fragrance of rotting flesh became dominant. Not even the housekeeping staff noticed. What does that say about the Wells Fargo work environment? How can someone be dead in their cubicle for four days before anyone notices? Did no manager stop to check on her? Did no one swing by to chat? This story, which is short on details, is both sad and frustrating. Corporate America sucks.
You may or may not remember hearing of a film named “The Apprentice” last May as it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. You’ve not seen in it theaters, though, because no one in the US wanted to distribute it. The biopic of a young Orange Felon has been threatened with lawsuits by the Felon himself, which caused most companies to stay away from it. Well, that has now changed. Briarcliff Entertainment will release “The Apprentice” on Oct. 11 in U.S. and Canadian theaters a mere two weeks before the November 5 election. We already know that the film is not flattering to the Felon. The question is whether it might sway any voters at the last minute. I certainly don’t think it will affect his base, but it definitely could influence those waiting until the last minute to make a decision.
Then, there’s the delightful fact that Brazil is now blocking access to the entire X (formerly Twitter) platform. A Brazillian judge has ruled that the platform is spreading unchecked misinformation. Elon Musk, surprising absolutely no one, has balked at the order to provide some oversight. In my slightly elevated opinion (I elevated it myself), this is a win for people in Brazil. No one needs X in its current chaotic form. There’s no way to rely on anything posted there. Scams, fakes, and stolen accounts are all over the platform and Musk, screaming about freedom of speech, refuses to do anything about it. Intelligent people are using @Threads instead.
If you have time for a slightly longer read, Jennifer Szalai takes on the question of whether the Constitution is a danger to itself. While we necessarily worry about Project 2025 and what it could mean if Republicans get the presidency or a congressional majority, Szalai finds that some of the biggest issues that could end democracy as we know it lie within the Constitution itself. If you have a spare six or seven minutes, it’s well worth taking a look.
Of course, college football starts today. I’m going to try and watch as much of it as I can. What that actually means is that I’ll most likely catch 10-15 minutes here, a quarter or two there, and the rest will be game highlights after the fact. It takes an incredibly good football game to keep me awake for four quarters and this early in the season, few of the games are ever that good. I’ll give it the ol’ college try, but be aware I slept through a lot of college, too.
I’m trying to not let the gray skies dampen my mood this morning. The disappearance of my readers still has me mind-boggled, though.
Maybe more coffee will help.
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