NASA has updated its well-known climate spiral visualization by adding 2022; the spiral keeps growing and getting dark red, indicating a warming planet. It made me wonder how I experienced climate change in my lifetime. And you may ask yourself that question too.
A comprehensive journal of our changing planet through your eyes and experience throughout the decades.
The growing realization as your progressing work witnessed changes first hand. Your words reflect the developing alarm as you see what’s happening. Perhaps the early dismal apartment and tearful painting were an omen.
You continue to be an important factor and voice for our planet and making awareness the priority it must be.
All while balancing the bad news with the appreciation for our magnificent planet to spur action to save it.
Thank you for this and for your extensive history of being an earth warrior. Well done.
I am fascinated at how human history seems to "balance on a knife edge from time to time" with tipping points that seem unrelated at the time. What if the electoral process in Florida had not depended on whether to count "votes on computer cards with hanging chads" and Al Gore had become president instead of George Bush in the year 2000 ?
Would he have started the de-carbonizing process in time to prevent our present spiral into climate crisis?
We certainly would have stood a better chance to begin significant remediation sooner.
A very powerful issue today. This one struck a cord with me more than most, as I vividly recall witnessing the Elfstedentocht in 1997. The excitement that our friends who skated it and those of us who were spectators felt was palpable, and it saddens me that it is very unlikely to occur again in the foreseeable future. But I still take joy in the beauty that surrounds me on a daily basis, and I truly appreciate your regular reminders- both to take note of the beauty and to act more responsibly on behalf of our fellow inhabitants of Planet Earth. Thank you.
You write « This newsletter is part of that effort of storytelling. I hope it helps you to see our world differently. This small, crowded planet is more vulnerable than you may realize. Yet, it is probably much more beautiful than most acknowledge. So two ways of viewing our world go hand in hand: appreciate our planet's beauty and thus be more motivated to preserve our precious home. »
That’s what I retain even though you report about a very sad situation observed and studied for so many years.
Thanks for sharing your personal itinerary that gives so much to learn.
I am a big believer in stories. They have the power to catch our attention and make an impact. Yours do just that. This chronology of climate change is an eye opener. I understand that Global Warming is a warning to stop warming the earth; conserve energy; keep our oceans blue and our forests green. We have not done that.
The magnitude of what we have done to this planet and the devastating effects facing our entire species is daunting. I try to understand the magnitude of climate change and I also understand I write this from a place of privilege. I have never had to walk hours to get water; never been displaced from my home by catastrophic floods; have always had the basic necessities.
However, I do think I can make a difference in protecting this planet. Sometimes, simply by starting a conversation; posting about it; donating to it; volunteering and voting. Gandhi said: If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.
With many thanks, Alex for taking us on this voyage. I love this quote: "Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts." I feel it is this kind of strength that you write about that will carry us through.
I'm trying to remember when I was first aware of climate change. I might have to sleep on that one.
I remember the urgency of when we were all concerned about the ozone layer and told to no longer use hairspray etc. Global effort and crisis sort of averted.
You mentioned the lack of urgency in the late 1990s and I think that's the main reason nothing - okay maybe not nothing, but not enough - is being day even to this day. I still don't feel a global sense of urgency. Not sure what else needs to happen. Maybe the fossil fuel industry and others could take responsibility and be honest about what they are doing? Wishful thinking, I know.
Thank you for sharing your personal experiences both appreciating the beauty of our home, and your realization that our planet 🌍 is in harm’s way, coming more quickly as we observe in our own lives changes every day. We can only hope that collective individual action and forcing our governing bodies to reign in the fossil fuel giants, while utilizing carbon free energy will turn this impending doom around in time to salvage some of what may remain. It is surely heartbreaking 💔 and comes with enormous cost. 🥲
Your transition to more personal narrative may well have further reach, especially in places like the US where the conservative trend is to discredit scientific expertise. If people are unwilling to examine and/or accept scientific proof of climate crises, then personal sharing might get through. You're a compelling storyteller—thank you for putting your gift and craft to such meaningful use.
Watching the World Heat Up: Reflections on Climate Change Over the Years
A comprehensive journal of our changing planet through your eyes and experience throughout the decades.
The growing realization as your progressing work witnessed changes first hand. Your words reflect the developing alarm as you see what’s happening. Perhaps the early dismal apartment and tearful painting were an omen.
You continue to be an important factor and voice for our planet and making awareness the priority it must be.
All while balancing the bad news with the appreciation for our magnificent planet to spur action to save it.
Thank you for this and for your extensive history of being an earth warrior. Well done.
I am fascinated at how human history seems to "balance on a knife edge from time to time" with tipping points that seem unrelated at the time. What if the electoral process in Florida had not depended on whether to count "votes on computer cards with hanging chads" and Al Gore had become president instead of George Bush in the year 2000 ?
Would he have started the de-carbonizing process in time to prevent our present spiral into climate crisis?
We certainly would have stood a better chance to begin significant remediation sooner.
A very powerful issue today. This one struck a cord with me more than most, as I vividly recall witnessing the Elfstedentocht in 1997. The excitement that our friends who skated it and those of us who were spectators felt was palpable, and it saddens me that it is very unlikely to occur again in the foreseeable future. But I still take joy in the beauty that surrounds me on a daily basis, and I truly appreciate your regular reminders- both to take note of the beauty and to act more responsibly on behalf of our fellow inhabitants of Planet Earth. Thank you.
You write « This newsletter is part of that effort of storytelling. I hope it helps you to see our world differently. This small, crowded planet is more vulnerable than you may realize. Yet, it is probably much more beautiful than most acknowledge. So two ways of viewing our world go hand in hand: appreciate our planet's beauty and thus be more motivated to preserve our precious home. »
That’s what I retain even though you report about a very sad situation observed and studied for so many years.
Thanks for sharing your personal itinerary that gives so much to learn.
I am a big believer in stories. They have the power to catch our attention and make an impact. Yours do just that. This chronology of climate change is an eye opener. I understand that Global Warming is a warning to stop warming the earth; conserve energy; keep our oceans blue and our forests green. We have not done that.
The magnitude of what we have done to this planet and the devastating effects facing our entire species is daunting. I try to understand the magnitude of climate change and I also understand I write this from a place of privilege. I have never had to walk hours to get water; never been displaced from my home by catastrophic floods; have always had the basic necessities.
However, I do think I can make a difference in protecting this planet. Sometimes, simply by starting a conversation; posting about it; donating to it; volunteering and voting. Gandhi said: If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.
With many thanks, Alex for taking us on this voyage. I love this quote: "Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts." I feel it is this kind of strength that you write about that will carry us through.
Love the storytelling in this.
I'm trying to remember when I was first aware of climate change. I might have to sleep on that one.
I remember the urgency of when we were all concerned about the ozone layer and told to no longer use hairspray etc. Global effort and crisis sort of averted.
You mentioned the lack of urgency in the late 1990s and I think that's the main reason nothing - okay maybe not nothing, but not enough - is being day even to this day. I still don't feel a global sense of urgency. Not sure what else needs to happen. Maybe the fossil fuel industry and others could take responsibility and be honest about what they are doing? Wishful thinking, I know.
A well-written piece. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing your personal experiences both appreciating the beauty of our home, and your realization that our planet 🌍 is in harm’s way, coming more quickly as we observe in our own lives changes every day. We can only hope that collective individual action and forcing our governing bodies to reign in the fossil fuel giants, while utilizing carbon free energy will turn this impending doom around in time to salvage some of what may remain. It is surely heartbreaking 💔 and comes with enormous cost. 🥲
Your transition to more personal narrative may well have further reach, especially in places like the US where the conservative trend is to discredit scientific expertise. If people are unwilling to examine and/or accept scientific proof of climate crises, then personal sharing might get through. You're a compelling storyteller—thank you for putting your gift and craft to such meaningful use.
Excellent documentary/profile. The sustained testimony of reality and the unequivocal awareness that justifies and guides your exemplary work.
There is always a comforting voice that reminds us of who we are: a drop in the tide of change. Thank you.