This is what I see and know. The Pacific Northwest and in fact, the entire Pacific Coast is known for large evergreen trees BECAUSE of the rain and moist fog. Today, it is obvious there are more days when no rain occurs (as a not-so-subtle indicator that the American and Canadian forestlands are increasingly suffering from a state of drought). Canadian provinces are experiencing earlier heat, and under ongoing dry conditions, fires occur earlier and more frequently. However, the real problem isn't the forests or the management of forests. It is unabated climate changes and human activities. There are more days between rain now along the Western Pacific Coastline, and the years-long drought in California appears to have spread north as I saw was happening about five years ago. When it does rain, it pours.
The Sun's radiation is noticeably more intense. This is causing a more rapid snowpack melt that feeds rivers and streams, even in years where the snowpack may be average or even above average in terms of depth of snow. I have had more than usual losses in tender seedlings I planted in the garden beds this year due to what appears to be clearly sun damage.
Another problem with this radiative intensity and possibly more concerning than anything else is the Sun is drying the soil rapidly like A BONE. This is a known trend without others saying it. We hear a lot about "restorative agriculture and soil health" but even these techniques will not be successful IF we don't start living in balance of nature and live within our global means. I would even suggest that the broken allocation system of the Earth's natural resources aren't for sale to the highest bidders and those who control grotesque amounts of privatized wealth. We all have an interest in protecting the Commons.
Doing nothing, as Representative Kennedy (R-LA) who has suggested might be an option is an opinion from a government representative that is criminally liable upon deaths caused due to worsening climate change and falls outside what an elected official is elected to do. Doing nothing is not the role of government particularly in a crisis. The Republican from Louisiana seemed to suggest that money is more important than human life - and life in general. I disagree.
Comments