The Premier of BC said it – this summer of extreme weather and forest fires are a result of climate change and will become the new norm. Since at least the 1980’s climate scientists have been warning us that our attachment to the burning of fossil fuels will have a serious impact on the global climate. Deaf ears you say – we have had at least 35 years to prepare and make adjustments to our collective behavior so as to avoid what is happening now.
People in the Rock Creek area, in some cases, had less than 35 minutes to react to an effect of climate change – there was no choice, no time to plan.
If we dare use the Rock Creek fire as a metaphor for the effects of climate change, it becomes obvious that 35 minutes does not give enough time to effectively deal with the issue. It would seem 35 years is too much time and has lead to inaction on the part of Governments everywhere, who tend to focus only on today.
Clearly, Governments need our help and our permission to develop effective and measurable policies that will remediate our current dilemma. A global evacuation notice is not an option.
Ron RobinsonNelson, BC