The First 82

82 weeks ago, 82 columns ago, climate change awareness was perhaps 50/50 equally divided between those who accepted overwhelming science and those mired in unsupportable denial. Each were entrenched in their ideological fighting positions.

My hope, by starting this column, was to bring awareness to as many people as I could. To be honest, I was not optimistic. My first columns focused on how people form opinions; the psychological fallacies we trick ourselves with, our underlying weakness to ignore truth to meet social pressure, and our primitive tribal wiring.

The columns moved on to the long history of climate science and the remarkable geniuses we have ignored. Here and there I sprinkled in the obvious climate changes. Now and then I mentioned the basic physics and chemistry that underpin all science.

Have the columns made a difference? Certainly, the American climate awareness has become much higher in the last three years. It is my hope the column WNBPA has graciously given me to air facts has helped.  This column is not a primary driver of today’s awareness.

Climate changes in public opinion come primarily from two dynamics. The first is pure heat. June 2019 was the hottest June on record while July was the hottest month ever. Europe, this year, bore the brunt of the heat records. Luckily, they learned from the last heat onslaught in 2003 when they lost 70,000 people.

Last year India was the climate’s primary victim and the country set new and terrifying heat records. The sub-continent Indians, from my world-wide observations, are much better adapted to the heat than we of European descent.  They suffer fewer casualties despite their lack of air conditioning,  greater numbers and the scorching temperatures.

The top layer of Greenland’s Ice Sheet turned to slush in June and July. It lost record amounts of melt water.

 The sci-fi horror show, “The Blob” has returned. This time as the massive eco-destroying blob of hot water in the Bering Sea.

Different regions of the U.S. are alternating from flooded, to parched, to burnt, to hurricane ravaged.

It is tough to own up to our historic irresponsibility. Sure, Americans are the target of the most well-funded con-game ever conceived. I find it fascinating that the oil companies have flawlessly exploited the complex science of psychology to sow doubt in the rather simple science of climate.

The second dynamic of awareness is our kids. They know the science. They also have the courage to act and they are mobilizing. Greta Thunberg has emerged as the adult in the room. And it is a big room for a diminutive child. She is her generation’s last hope.

 Sure, the right-wing cynics sling mud at the 16-year-old schoolgirl. I believe this may be the single most important takeaway. For the last thirty years the American culture has turned away from reason because we enjoy the entertainment of petty cynicism. Logical thinking takes work and gets us few laughs.  Cynical quips are easily confused with intelligence in a culture unaccustomed to mental effort, nor the decency to condemn mean spirited public figures.

 Admittedly cynicism has, within it, dark humor. Unfortunately, the butt and target of the dark climate humor is us.

I will never know if my little column, or the wisdom of a sixteen-year-old will prevail. I knew this when I got into it. I only take satisfaction that I continue to do my duty. Only the next generation will know if we developed the moral courage to prevail.

The Icelanders sense this well. Here is the inscription on a bronze plaque where the Okjokull glacier once existed:

“OK (Okjokull) is the first Icelandic glacier to lose its status as a glacier. In the next 200 years all our glaciers are expected to follow the same path. The monument is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it.” August 2019, 415ppm, CO2.