“And while the meteorologists cried, the people fled, and the world held their breath; the U.S. was hit for the second time by a massive hurricane.
By the time you read these words, history will unfold. I don't know the next chapter of this story. Still, the narrative so far may be retold for generations as a warning about the fragility of democracy and the vulnerability of our planet's ecosystem in the first phases of climate change”.
I can't turn to the last page of this history book; we have to experience it together on this beautiful, challenged planet.”
Donald Trump has ‘played’ at life. He was always a fake in all he attempted and failed at everything, even being human.
You have complied an eloquent account of this historic moment, worrying as it is.
I hope these skillfully composed essays survive as historical documents for future generations to learn from and be guided in their own futures. This is a gem, as are you. So glad to be here.
historical documents, trying to predict the future, are often hilarious (the focus is usually on more, instead of different, think of the futuristic views drawn in the 1960, with more roads and airplanes everywhere). So I skip the description of the future and just try to imagine how the future will look at us instead of the other way around. And it's not a pretty picture.
You have told the tale of the downfall of the Grand Old Party. It is up to us to continue convincing others of how much we have to lose. To be certain the last page in the history books isn't the end of us in the near futute. I have plans. Our children and children's children need a better legacy.
They surely do, it makes chaning the course urgent. Many people don't realize that the climate-change-related-destruction we see now everywhere is just the ouverture of a dramatic opera. We aren't even at the 1.5 Celsius warming yet and so much more is to come. The good news: we can still avoid the worst with the right policies aan cooperation.
Very insightful piece, Alexander.... We can only wonder what future generations will think of our 'post-truth' situation, the madness that has polarized the USA (as well as other democracies, such as UK (Brexit), and most of all the hubris and utter tragedy of how our govts continue with BAU, while the world around us burns, floods and approaches tipping points we cannot even fathom. As you say, we shall have to wait and see what happened after Milton, after Nov. 5th, and in coming years. The world certainly needs more eloquent voices speaking truth to power and reminding govts we must act NOW. Thank you for your ongoing, eloquent words.
Thank you, Jo, for the kind words. I often feel so powerless; having worked directly or indirectly on climate change issues for decades, and not being able to make a change. Although there are so many positive stories to tell about sustainability or energy transition, the essence remains that we should stop the cause of climate change and that is first and foremost reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is that simple. However, emissions are still increasing year after year, instead of the very steep reduction we need. Politicians who are paid by big corporations and are only interested in staying in office won't get us anywhere; we need visionary and passionate leaders; they are hard to find.
Your eloquence is beyond reproach. Your posts are so beautifully written and tell such horrifying “history” that is throwing our country into chaos, that I think now it’s time for you to write a book 📖
To quote a figure I admired until the day she died , 2024 was indeed an “annus horribilis”. I understand that we don’t have a final chapter, but knowing how well you “delineate” historical events,
you’ll come up with something we can all sink our teeth into.
I hope to someday find the rest to write one; this year, I don't have the stability (or even an office) to quietly sit and write, I worked a bit in a cafe this morning and now on a table in a temporary apartment. Just a few years after the original Annus Horribillis (1992), I moved to London where the horrors for the royal family were not over yet, including the death of Dianna. I remember going jogging in Kensington Park and Hyde Park early that morning and on my way out, I saw three bouquets of flowers at the gate, when I returned some 45 minutes later, there were dozens and the first journalists. In the days that followed, tens of thousands more flowers were added. I could see the people walk into the Kensington Gardens from my office. I recently watched the Netflix series The Crown, and so many memories came back from those years.
“And while the meteorologists cried, the people fled, and the world held their breath; the U.S. was hit for the second time by a massive hurricane.
By the time you read these words, history will unfold. I don't know the next chapter of this story. Still, the narrative so far may be retold for generations as a warning about the fragility of democracy and the vulnerability of our planet's ecosystem in the first phases of climate change”.
I can't turn to the last page of this history book; we have to experience it together on this beautiful, challenged planet.”
Donald Trump has ‘played’ at life. He was always a fake in all he attempted and failed at everything, even being human.
Which gives a remarkable contrast to Kamala Harris, who shows empathy and has a good sense of humor
Very well written, Alexander.
You have complied an eloquent account of this historic moment, worrying as it is.
I hope these skillfully composed essays survive as historical documents for future generations to learn from and be guided in their own futures. This is a gem, as are you. So glad to be here.
Thank you.
historical documents, trying to predict the future, are often hilarious (the focus is usually on more, instead of different, think of the futuristic views drawn in the 1960, with more roads and airplanes everywhere). So I skip the description of the future and just try to imagine how the future will look at us instead of the other way around. And it's not a pretty picture.
Excellent piece!
You give your readers so much to consider with your wisdom, insights and admirable character.
Trump is a scourge on humanity, unworthy of consideration for any position of power, much less the US presidency!
Wishing those in the path of Milton angels to guide them through this very frightening time.
I saw some of the first pictures, and they may indeed need angels. It always takes a few days before the reel picture of the damage becomes clear.
You have told the tale of the downfall of the Grand Old Party. It is up to us to continue convincing others of how much we have to lose. To be certain the last page in the history books isn't the end of us in the near futute. I have plans. Our children and children's children need a better legacy.
They surely do, it makes chaning the course urgent. Many people don't realize that the climate-change-related-destruction we see now everywhere is just the ouverture of a dramatic opera. We aren't even at the 1.5 Celsius warming yet and so much more is to come. The good news: we can still avoid the worst with the right policies aan cooperation.
Very insightful piece, Alexander.... We can only wonder what future generations will think of our 'post-truth' situation, the madness that has polarized the USA (as well as other democracies, such as UK (Brexit), and most of all the hubris and utter tragedy of how our govts continue with BAU, while the world around us burns, floods and approaches tipping points we cannot even fathom. As you say, we shall have to wait and see what happened after Milton, after Nov. 5th, and in coming years. The world certainly needs more eloquent voices speaking truth to power and reminding govts we must act NOW. Thank you for your ongoing, eloquent words.
Thank you, Jo, for the kind words. I often feel so powerless; having worked directly or indirectly on climate change issues for decades, and not being able to make a change. Although there are so many positive stories to tell about sustainability or energy transition, the essence remains that we should stop the cause of climate change and that is first and foremost reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is that simple. However, emissions are still increasing year after year, instead of the very steep reduction we need. Politicians who are paid by big corporations and are only interested in staying in office won't get us anywhere; we need visionary and passionate leaders; they are hard to find.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
thanks :-)
Your eloquence is beyond reproach. Your posts are so beautifully written and tell such horrifying “history” that is throwing our country into chaos, that I think now it’s time for you to write a book 📖
To quote a figure I admired until the day she died , 2024 was indeed an “annus horribilis”. I understand that we don’t have a final chapter, but knowing how well you “delineate” historical events,
you’ll come up with something we can all sink our teeth into.
I hope to someday find the rest to write one; this year, I don't have the stability (or even an office) to quietly sit and write, I worked a bit in a cafe this morning and now on a table in a temporary apartment. Just a few years after the original Annus Horribillis (1992), I moved to London where the horrors for the royal family were not over yet, including the death of Dianna. I remember going jogging in Kensington Park and Hyde Park early that morning and on my way out, I saw three bouquets of flowers at the gate, when I returned some 45 minutes later, there were dozens and the first journalists. In the days that followed, tens of thousands more flowers were added. I could see the people walk into the Kensington Gardens from my office. I recently watched the Netflix series The Crown, and so many memories came back from those years.