Louis XIV of France was the last king where exaggerated wasteful opulence was the norm. He aptly predicted “après moi le deluge” (after me the deluge)—indeed that flood was the French Revolution which ended the monarchy as it was known.
Why am I writing this? Because this is what today feels like. We are on the way to the destruction of our planet as we know it due to climate change and global warming. Our earth has gone through many climate changes throughout its history. What is different about the current one is that in the past, humans did not have the ability to make a difference; nature cannot be controlled. Today climate change is mostly manmade and, therefore, susceptible to our control. We have had bouts of extreme weather, from unprecedented heat waves to floods to fires to droughts to hurricanes. In just the year 2021, we had 18 weather-related disasters that caused $1 billion in damages. The storms are growing stronger. The seas will keep rising. Flooding will continue to eradicate our coastlines and submerge islands. Droughts will increase. Both extreme cold and extreme heat will kill people.
As temperatures rise, crops such as wheat, corn, rice, and soy beans will not only be more difficult to cultivate, their nutritional values will diminish. This will mostly affect the population of developing countries, who get most of their calories from grains. Global warming is accelerating desertification in Africa, South America, and Asia. We are currently counting 800 million people who are chronically under-nourished; this number will only keep growing.
Here in the U.S. we are witnessing a western mega drought, the worst in the millennium with the Colorado River at its lowest point in a century of recording. The river supplies water across seven states and is still chronically over-used.
Human migration has occurred throughout history due to droughts and political upheavals. Today we have unprecedented numbers of mass migrations. So no single country can assimilate hundreds of thousands, who upon arrival need to be housed, fed, and given jobs. Countries are closing their borders, leaving migrants with nowhere to go.
The predictions are dire: by the year 2050 up to 215 million people from Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Latin America will have to leave their countries due to droughts, crop failures, and rising sea levels. Another hazard of our warming planet is that hot weather can alter the body’s chemistry, leading to increased health issues. Exposure to severe heat causes a host of of both physical and mental diseases.
So what can be done about this bleak scenario? As a Columbia University alumnus (I graduated with a Masters degree in social work), I recently read an article in Columbia Magazine (Winter 2022) by David J. Craig entitled, “Six Things You Need to Know About Climate Change Now.” This column is based on his article. Columbia University established the Columbia Climate School in 2020 as a hub for research and education on climate sustainability. It is one of many organizations addressing the realities of the ongoing crises. A new generation of students is being trained to find creative solutions to our climate crisis. People from a variety of disciplines across the entire university are brought together to develop new technologies. This is where big data comes in with powerful new computers; researchers are able to predict and, thus, warn communities of pending disasters. Columbia is helping farmers to use drought and flood-resistant seeds as well as suggesting better planting schedules. Many agricultural communities have seen a boost in crop yields.
Looking at mass migration, efforts are being made to establish large scale relocations to organize everyone involved. Scientists and public health officials are advocating for infrastructure upgrades to mitigate the disparity between urban hot spots and cooler neighborhoods. The Biden administration has earmarked tens of billions of dollars for scientific research into the development of technologies that would help industries deal with global warming. Powerful new batteries are being designed to store solar and wind power. There is a growing sense of urgency around the world and especially among the younger demographics—the pressure for change is building.
Although there seems to be room for optimism, I am not confident. To wit: Although I am cognizant of what I can do to limit global warming–such as turning off lights and water faucets and recycling, I also find myself enjoying the hot water of a shower and remain indulgent showering longer than is good for the planet. If I am culpable, then I imagine that other people will not be willing to forego any creature comforts for the sake of a future they will not be part of, but will affect their children and grandchildren. We need to make an effort to motivate the world population and its industries to actively engage in the strategies that could save us all.