In my heart, I wish that the capitals of the wealthiest nations, where decisions that shape the planet's fate are made, would feel the heat first. But the reality is harsh. In the air-conditioned offices of world leaders, the future often seems distant, obscured by political fog and economic interests. Meanwhile, the poorest in the poorest countries have a vision for the future but lose hope for a road map that will lead them there.
Safe travels. I am torn between the need for more immediate climate action and the need to address the increasing lack of civility and downright evil behavior towards fellow citizens. I can only wonder if there is a subliminal impact from our rapidly deteriorating environment that drives or at least contributes to what feels like a rapidly increasing ‘me first’ and ‘only what I think/need matters’ psychology. It can be quite disheartening, but I choose to be kind, have empathy, and do what I can to bring about change.
It marks the end of summer when you are heading back to Ottawa.
Traveling with you through these past 100 days has been wonderful and full of many memories that have been a genuine pleasure as you shared spectacular places in exciting Europe and wrote thrilling words that hang in my consciousness.
But it’s true there is another side to the coin as this summer also was the hottest on record and brought unimaginable devastation and heartbreak to the planet and her occupants, human and creatures.
You can’t be faulted for wishing “the capitals of the wealthiest nations, where decisions that shape the planet's fate are made, would feel the heat first”. It’s the unfairness that the opposite is true as the ‘grey men’ who created the political fog go home to their children in cool comfort while half the world cannot sleep for sweltering.
This summer has changed the planet. Will it change the hearts and minds of those in power or continue on in oblivion as spirits in the night.
Safe journey. Canada and the world await what’s next.
Glad you will be back in Canada in time for the annual Autumn Colour show.
We had a lot of smoke where I live (near Ottawa), but, thankfully, no fires. I was happiest when the heavy smoke from fires in Northern Quebec paid a visit to Wall Street in New York. To have the air filled with choking smoke was a good reminder to the centre of the financial world that money cannot hide the damage that our fossil fuel addiction is doing to the planet. Hopefully, it changed a few minds... and a few investment strategies.
Sep 19, 2023·edited Sep 19, 2023Liked by Alexander Verbeek 🌍
It was 67 overnight in the desert. The morning light, la luz, is gold-colored as I watch Mourning Doves chase each across the lawn. Their first stop no longer the bird baths.
Having lived through the hottest summer on record in the Sonoran Desert, I am exhausted. I notice the simple things. Water from the tap runs cool again. A Monarch Butterfly hovers over my lavendar. Birds of Paradise are blooming. I look forward to Fall.
As you have left millions of steps in Spain, I have left millions in this harsh desert feeling the same fears as the rest of humanity.
Pundits talk about the complexity of Climate Change. For me it is not complicated. I know what I believe, have experienced and I trust my common sense.
You have laid a prima facie case for action on Climate Change at our feet. What we choose to do about it will determine not only our future but those whose voices will never be heard and will suffer and die in silence. "To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven."
Each day I ride the bus with new members of our community. Parents, worried and weary, with children who are frightened or are happily being children. People who have braved dangerous conditions to leave a hardship and face yet another, different challenge. People who were put on buses by heartless leaders of our government. Our new neighbors have been greeted with kindness by most but there are those sitting across the bus aisle who glare with anger. Those are the minds who need help to change. We can do this. We must. Good journey 🌻
So where will you begin your advocacy for the Planet 🌍 on your arrival in Canada? Are you in step with the UN meeting this week on the primary topic of failure to address the SDGs and abiding by promises made for mitigation to the poorest countries by the most egregious emitters of CO2? I am concerned that the meetings will draw fewer attendees this session. Many of the more significant world leaders including Biden are sending representatives instead of attending in person. This gives me pause and more worry. In any case, welcome back to the Americas and may you experience a joyous homecoming.
Have a safe journey home to Canada and tonight we had rain like I’ve never seen for an hour or so. Rivers are bursting their banks down in Devon and Wales. The remnants of an Atlantic hurricane giving us a bit of a bashing here in England.
Thank you, Nick. I’m in Ottawa now, trying to adjust to the time difference. My body asks me to go to sleep but it’s only 6 pm. It’s the summer of floods, a worldwide demonstration of what the changing climate has in store for us. Stay safe!
Both looking forward to you writing about the planet's fate again and dreading it. I've been avoiding the news for the past five weeks since I started a new job and my entire focus was there.
A well written farewell summer post. Love that last picture, nice composition, light, details out the windows ... I could go on. Following your summer adventures was a welcome distraction, your writing an inspiration, your pictures a masterclass in photography. Thank you for all that.
One last thing: I hope people in Zürich treated you well. If not tell me who I need to have a word with.
Safe travels. I am torn between the need for more immediate climate action and the need to address the increasing lack of civility and downright evil behavior towards fellow citizens. I can only wonder if there is a subliminal impact from our rapidly deteriorating environment that drives or at least contributes to what feels like a rapidly increasing ‘me first’ and ‘only what I think/need matters’ psychology. It can be quite disheartening, but I choose to be kind, have empathy, and do what I can to bring about change.
Safe travels back to Canada.
how well you put our feelings into words again...
thank you
I never regret when I take the time to read "the planet"
It marks the end of summer when you are heading back to Ottawa.
Traveling with you through these past 100 days has been wonderful and full of many memories that have been a genuine pleasure as you shared spectacular places in exciting Europe and wrote thrilling words that hang in my consciousness.
But it’s true there is another side to the coin as this summer also was the hottest on record and brought unimaginable devastation and heartbreak to the planet and her occupants, human and creatures.
You can’t be faulted for wishing “the capitals of the wealthiest nations, where decisions that shape the planet's fate are made, would feel the heat first”. It’s the unfairness that the opposite is true as the ‘grey men’ who created the political fog go home to their children in cool comfort while half the world cannot sleep for sweltering.
This summer has changed the planet. Will it change the hearts and minds of those in power or continue on in oblivion as spirits in the night.
Safe journey. Canada and the world await what’s next.
Embracing your thoughts. Hoping on resilience and awareness. Wishing you a good and peaceful return.
Glad you will be back in Canada in time for the annual Autumn Colour show.
We had a lot of smoke where I live (near Ottawa), but, thankfully, no fires. I was happiest when the heavy smoke from fires in Northern Quebec paid a visit to Wall Street in New York. To have the air filled with choking smoke was a good reminder to the centre of the financial world that money cannot hide the damage that our fossil fuel addiction is doing to the planet. Hopefully, it changed a few minds... and a few investment strategies.
It was 67 overnight in the desert. The morning light, la luz, is gold-colored as I watch Mourning Doves chase each across the lawn. Their first stop no longer the bird baths.
Having lived through the hottest summer on record in the Sonoran Desert, I am exhausted. I notice the simple things. Water from the tap runs cool again. A Monarch Butterfly hovers over my lavendar. Birds of Paradise are blooming. I look forward to Fall.
As you have left millions of steps in Spain, I have left millions in this harsh desert feeling the same fears as the rest of humanity.
Pundits talk about the complexity of Climate Change. For me it is not complicated. I know what I believe, have experienced and I trust my common sense.
You have laid a prima facie case for action on Climate Change at our feet. What we choose to do about it will determine not only our future but those whose voices will never be heard and will suffer and die in silence. "To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven."
Thank you for making our planet your purpose.
Each day I ride the bus with new members of our community. Parents, worried and weary, with children who are frightened or are happily being children. People who have braved dangerous conditions to leave a hardship and face yet another, different challenge. People who were put on buses by heartless leaders of our government. Our new neighbors have been greeted with kindness by most but there are those sitting across the bus aisle who glare with anger. Those are the minds who need help to change. We can do this. We must. Good journey 🌻
So where will you begin your advocacy for the Planet 🌍 on your arrival in Canada? Are you in step with the UN meeting this week on the primary topic of failure to address the SDGs and abiding by promises made for mitigation to the poorest countries by the most egregious emitters of CO2? I am concerned that the meetings will draw fewer attendees this session. Many of the more significant world leaders including Biden are sending representatives instead of attending in person. This gives me pause and more worry. In any case, welcome back to the Americas and may you experience a joyous homecoming.
Have a safe journey home to Canada and tonight we had rain like I’ve never seen for an hour or so. Rivers are bursting their banks down in Devon and Wales. The remnants of an Atlantic hurricane giving us a bit of a bashing here in England.
Thank you, Nick. I’m in Ottawa now, trying to adjust to the time difference. My body asks me to go to sleep but it’s only 6 pm. It’s the summer of floods, a worldwide demonstration of what the changing climate has in store for us. Stay safe!
It’s the trial version of the product isn’t it! Take care!
Both looking forward to you writing about the planet's fate again and dreading it. I've been avoiding the news for the past five weeks since I started a new job and my entire focus was there.
A well written farewell summer post. Love that last picture, nice composition, light, details out the windows ... I could go on. Following your summer adventures was a welcome distraction, your writing an inspiration, your pictures a masterclass in photography. Thank you for all that.
One last thing: I hope people in Zürich treated you well. If not tell me who I need to have a word with.