Island Stories #29: Even on my island climate change impacts have arrived. There is hardly any news broadcast on television this summer without items on the devastating impact of extreme weather on people and nature. Think of the record-breaking heatwaves, droughts, and wildfires in the U.S. and Canada. This week we saw the extreme rainfall-caused flooding events in Europe, India, and China, followed by today's news about wildfires in southern Europe.
Thank you for sharing the beauty of your island while also focusing people's attention back to climate change. That beauty is what's at stake. This past year has brought a lot of changes for everybody, but I could always rely on spending time in nature to recharge my batteries.
Last night I went for a bike ride and I rode across the river Aare for the first time in weeks. There had been some flooding along the river, but thanks to our government deciding to give space back to the river and creating areas that are meant to flood if there is too much water, we were lucky. Those were such important lessons learned after the flooding of 1999 (I believe that was the year). I feel extremely lucky that we get to elect our leaders and that I live in a country that has the resources to protect and support its citizens if/when disaster strikes.
Thinking about the crisis in Bangladesh not making headline news and those people having nowhere to go - I can't even imagine what that must feel like. I think it was you who mentioned it in a previous newsletter that displacement of people and the security issues attached to that will soon become one of the world's biggest problems associated with climate change.
Giving rivers more space is a proven successful way of adapting to climate change, we do the same in the Netherlands too. It is complicated, expensive, and politically a challenge (since someone has to give up that space, at least during exceptional high water) but it is far better than not acting and trying to repair the damage afterwards. The same can of course be said for mitigating climate change, acting now is so much cheaper and better.
Thank you for sharing the beauty of your island home and taking a thoughtful journey through the myriad concurrent climate realities unfolding around us. Admiring and working to preserve the remarkable resilience of nature helps encourage us. I joined a discussion on climate change challenges to the cultural identity and sovereignty of Pacific atoll nations. Like the Bangladeshis, some will soon need to leave.. I hear the wildflowers of Western Australia are spectacular, following record-breaking rain, & the Great Barrier Reef is off the endangered list - for this year.. This world is worth protecting - for the sake of all!
Yes, the Small Island Developing States face a huge challenge and those people are the least responsible for climate change. You can't talk about climate change without talking about (in)justice. And thanks for liking the pictures of Shouwen-Duiveland, I will keep sharing the beauty of this island for a while.
I'm looking forward to the COP26, Glasgow climate summit, coming November. Global reach is of essences
I hope that the peoples of Bangladesh, who have to decide to stay or leave, can find the help they need in a timely manner, their current state is in big contrast to the Ponies in bliss . . .
Your words are so true; no one can escape climate change wherever they may be on this planet. Denial, ignoring it, using false equivalencies, none of these can change the facts. Climate change is real. It’s here & it’s not going away. At this point the only answer is making drastic & urgent changes to minimize the damage that lies ahead if we fail to act. It’s been easier for the disbelievers to discount so long as it was far away. But now it’s harsh reality is everywhere, not only in faraway Bangladesh who’ve been struggling much longer, but now in the Americas & Europe who’ve been somewhat spared until now.
This is a brilliant & important essay that should be widely read.
This being said, the contrasting beauty of your island is a joy to see. I hope the wisdom & experience of the Dutch can continue protecting your country & hopefully others.
I’m glad you write about the present beauty around you as well as the immense concern for the future. I think it’s so important we don’t stop being in the here & now and appreciating our blessings (however small or large they may be!) so our pursuit of resolving our climate crisis is fueled even more.
Another sunny hot day here but we’ve had a very wet July and it may be one of the wettest ever experienced. Still better than what the west is experiencing, Climate change has finally become a topic that the media is covering, but we need action from our government.
With all the changes in climate we will see more climate refugees and that is also something governments will have to deal with. Glad your beautiful area is now free from drought and those ponies can enjoy the water.
I agree; the number of displaced people because of climate change has grown enormously in the past few years and is projected to become much bigger. The future increasingly seems to become a combination of crises that mutually reinforce each other.
Thank you for sharing the beauty of your island while also focusing people's attention back to climate change. That beauty is what's at stake. This past year has brought a lot of changes for everybody, but I could always rely on spending time in nature to recharge my batteries.
Last night I went for a bike ride and I rode across the river Aare for the first time in weeks. There had been some flooding along the river, but thanks to our government deciding to give space back to the river and creating areas that are meant to flood if there is too much water, we were lucky. Those were such important lessons learned after the flooding of 1999 (I believe that was the year). I feel extremely lucky that we get to elect our leaders and that I live in a country that has the resources to protect and support its citizens if/when disaster strikes.
Thinking about the crisis in Bangladesh not making headline news and those people having nowhere to go - I can't even imagine what that must feel like. I think it was you who mentioned it in a previous newsletter that displacement of people and the security issues attached to that will soon become one of the world's biggest problems associated with climate change.
Giving rivers more space is a proven successful way of adapting to climate change, we do the same in the Netherlands too. It is complicated, expensive, and politically a challenge (since someone has to give up that space, at least during exceptional high water) but it is far better than not acting and trying to repair the damage afterwards. The same can of course be said for mitigating climate change, acting now is so much cheaper and better.
Thank you for sharing the beauty of your island home and taking a thoughtful journey through the myriad concurrent climate realities unfolding around us. Admiring and working to preserve the remarkable resilience of nature helps encourage us. I joined a discussion on climate change challenges to the cultural identity and sovereignty of Pacific atoll nations. Like the Bangladeshis, some will soon need to leave.. I hear the wildflowers of Western Australia are spectacular, following record-breaking rain, & the Great Barrier Reef is off the endangered list - for this year.. This world is worth protecting - for the sake of all!
Yes, the Small Island Developing States face a huge challenge and those people are the least responsible for climate change. You can't talk about climate change without talking about (in)justice. And thanks for liking the pictures of Shouwen-Duiveland, I will keep sharing the beauty of this island for a while.
It's a nice morning here. ☀
I'm looking forward to the COP26, Glasgow climate summit, coming November. Global reach is of essences
I hope that the peoples of Bangladesh, who have to decide to stay or leave, can find the help they need in a timely manner, their current state is in big contrast to the Ponies in bliss . . .
Thank you for writing (-:
Hi Marian, Thank you, yes I am constantly aware of these contrasts
Your words are so true; no one can escape climate change wherever they may be on this planet. Denial, ignoring it, using false equivalencies, none of these can change the facts. Climate change is real. It’s here & it’s not going away. At this point the only answer is making drastic & urgent changes to minimize the damage that lies ahead if we fail to act. It’s been easier for the disbelievers to discount so long as it was far away. But now it’s harsh reality is everywhere, not only in faraway Bangladesh who’ve been struggling much longer, but now in the Americas & Europe who’ve been somewhat spared until now.
This is a brilliant & important essay that should be widely read.
This being said, the contrasting beauty of your island is a joy to see. I hope the wisdom & experience of the Dutch can continue protecting your country & hopefully others.
Thank you, Lizzie!
Thank you for sharing this very beautiful calm spot on our distressed earth
Thanks, Sharon.
I’m glad you write about the present beauty around you as well as the immense concern for the future. I think it’s so important we don’t stop being in the here & now and appreciating our blessings (however small or large they may be!) so our pursuit of resolving our climate crisis is fueled even more.
Thank you, Dawna, I so much agree!
Another sunny hot day here but we’ve had a very wet July and it may be one of the wettest ever experienced. Still better than what the west is experiencing, Climate change has finally become a topic that the media is covering, but we need action from our government.
With all the changes in climate we will see more climate refugees and that is also something governments will have to deal with. Glad your beautiful area is now free from drought and those ponies can enjoy the water.
I agree; the number of displaced people because of climate change has grown enormously in the past few years and is projected to become much bigger. The future increasingly seems to become a combination of crises that mutually reinforce each other.