A combination of heavy monsoon rains and melting glaciers has caused devastating floods that have killed more than 1,100 people and have left a third of the country under water. The Pakistan floods are not an isolated incident for the back page of your newspaper. The scale, and relevance for all of us, should make this the main headline wherever you live.
We can certainly vote here. Different things on the ballots I just voted on. Green parties are gaining a lot of ground, but it's not enough.
(And you don't want to know what we're discussing right now ... no real action, just short term "solutions". Like we're meant to take cold showers and shower with sb else - so we don't use as much hot water. I wish I was kidding.)
These images are horrifying! Like all the disaster films we’ve seen have become reality. It’s unimaginable, especially for those experiencing it first hand. Seeing the power of enormous floods of water rushing with enough force to crush large buildings and wash them away like bits of rubbish in a gutter.
Looking at the inconceivable figures is irrefutable evidence that the predictions we’ve been warned of for years are now before us.
As you stated, “Pakistan’s terrible experience of today will be ours tomorrow unless we, all of us, will very soon take efficient large-scale climate action.” It’s essential that everyone, individually and collectively, accept the challenge to keep our global boat afloat. My country is finally beginning to make climate progress but we’re far behind and challenged by greedy lawmakers who impede progress.
Thank you for using your important climate voice in this excellent article to once again ring the bell for urgent action while there’s still time to avoid the worst.
It was shocking to see the devastating Pakistan flood videos on Twitter and subsequently so angering to see NOTHING on the mainstream media & cable channels. I’m grateful for US governors like Jay Inslee and Gavin Newsom. As so many people have the attention span for only sound bites, I’m afraid what devastating event will need to occur for people to finally demand action.
Spot on, as per usual. This line is particularly poignant in this era of declining democracy: "If you read this, you likely live in a country where you have a vote; use it for a better planet."
As always good article Alex. You know, I can post links to "Save The Children" for Pakistan along with other nonprofits & NGO's. I can donate. I can tweet. But I'm afraid I will never truly understand the devastation that climate change has wrought in countries like Pakistan. And what catastrophies like this mean for our planet. The numbers are too staggering for me.
Because I basically hit the lotto simply by being born in the U.S. We know about climate change but it is someone else's problem; throw some money at it and vote for politicians who make promises to once again tackle this global threat.
I have only to look around my home state of Az to see climate change effects of excessive heat, wildfires, flash flooding, deforestation, crop loss, loss of habitat/biodiversity and bodies at the bottom of Lake Mead due to extreme drought & lack of water.
To add my voice to those around the world speaking out about climate change seems inadequate. But I will continue. I will continue to donate. I will continue to vote. I will continue to teach our kids the value & absolute wonder of this planet. I will persevere thanks to those who have paved the way.
Thanks for writing this!
Awful pictures and numbers out of Pakistan.
We can certainly vote here. Different things on the ballots I just voted on. Green parties are gaining a lot of ground, but it's not enough.
(And you don't want to know what we're discussing right now ... no real action, just short term "solutions". Like we're meant to take cold showers and shower with sb else - so we don't use as much hot water. I wish I was kidding.)
These images are horrifying! Like all the disaster films we’ve seen have become reality. It’s unimaginable, especially for those experiencing it first hand. Seeing the power of enormous floods of water rushing with enough force to crush large buildings and wash them away like bits of rubbish in a gutter.
Looking at the inconceivable figures is irrefutable evidence that the predictions we’ve been warned of for years are now before us.
As you stated, “Pakistan’s terrible experience of today will be ours tomorrow unless we, all of us, will very soon take efficient large-scale climate action.” It’s essential that everyone, individually and collectively, accept the challenge to keep our global boat afloat. My country is finally beginning to make climate progress but we’re far behind and challenged by greedy lawmakers who impede progress.
Thank you for using your important climate voice in this excellent article to once again ring the bell for urgent action while there’s still time to avoid the worst.
It was shocking to see the devastating Pakistan flood videos on Twitter and subsequently so angering to see NOTHING on the mainstream media & cable channels. I’m grateful for US governors like Jay Inslee and Gavin Newsom. As so many people have the attention span for only sound bites, I’m afraid what devastating event will need to occur for people to finally demand action.
Spot on, as per usual. This line is particularly poignant in this era of declining democracy: "If you read this, you likely live in a country where you have a vote; use it for a better planet."
As always good article Alex. You know, I can post links to "Save The Children" for Pakistan along with other nonprofits & NGO's. I can donate. I can tweet. But I'm afraid I will never truly understand the devastation that climate change has wrought in countries like Pakistan. And what catastrophies like this mean for our planet. The numbers are too staggering for me.
Because I basically hit the lotto simply by being born in the U.S. We know about climate change but it is someone else's problem; throw some money at it and vote for politicians who make promises to once again tackle this global threat.
I have only to look around my home state of Az to see climate change effects of excessive heat, wildfires, flash flooding, deforestation, crop loss, loss of habitat/biodiversity and bodies at the bottom of Lake Mead due to extreme drought & lack of water.
To add my voice to those around the world speaking out about climate change seems inadequate. But I will continue. I will continue to donate. I will continue to vote. I will continue to teach our kids the value & absolute wonder of this planet. I will persevere thanks to those who have paved the way.