I have been reading a lot of climate science lately. Perhaps a little too much as it's bringing on nightmares—I woke recently wondering whether, in the midst of civil unrest, if I should let the horses loose or shoot them. It's been a long time since I've lived on a horse farm, but those kinds of worries are still with me.
After the election, it took me weeks to start once again indulging in the news. But I feel compelled to stay abreast of climate science reports. And the recent data points more strongly than ever to the fact that we're running out of time to change our ways. Specifically, it means that if we fail to rein-in our carbon emissions, massive natural systems will reach a tipping point from which there's no return.
Think the melting of Greenland's ice sheet or deforestation beyond repair in the Amazon. And this is the moment that citizens in the United States have chosen to empower profiteers over those who value a livable future for our grandchildren, or more accurately, for our children.
I believe we have seen the will of the majority of US citizens in this election. It pains my heart to say that. Still, I do not believe we should give up fighting to protect the planet and our loved ones. Step one for me has been to consider what's important in the long run.
I must begin by acknowledging my privileges: relative health, family, community, and whiteness, which in my case, has helped provide me with the economic stability to make myriad choices.
For example, I can afford a plant-based diet, and I drive an EV. I am hoping that more folks realize that the Biden administration has also made green choices more affordable than ever. The Inflation Reduction Act combined with state and local efforts has dramatically increased the number of solar installations on buildings and homes—more than many experts believed possible. Perhaps this endeavor has gained enough momentum to demonstrate its economic promise to the skeptics.
Another important issue in my view, is the right for individuals to live free lives. Transgender and other members of the queer community are under threat from conservative sectors. I intend to speak out and serve as an ally in any way that I can. It's interesting that those who purportedly support individual freedoms would feel so threatened by people who are just loving who they love and being who they are. Seriously, why do we care who loves whom? Isn't that what we're here for?
Finally, women deserve the right to have dominion over their own bodies. Threatening medical staff with criminal charges for serving women's health and reproductive needs is something I thought we had put behind us. If one actually is pro-life, shouldn't that mean that we help women give their children what they need to reach their full potential—like for example—healthcare, childcare, education, and economic supports?
When things were looking bad in the past, my late father-in-law, Martin Techner, used to say 'this too shall pass.' And we have been down this road before. But I can't help feeling that now more than ever, it is time to connect with our communities. So lean into each other, and protect the vulnerable as best you can.
When we look at the actual votes, it was not an overwhelming vote for Trump as was first thought. One or two percent. And of course he would exaggerate anything. While I think you are right that we don't have much time, I also think that seismic activity or a volcano eruption could make the whole thing moot. I think it was a volcano that caused the Dark Ages - which were physically dark from volcano ash in the atmosphere
RosalieAnn.