Global Warming in Chicago
Today we should begin to think of the environment as a living organism. Gaia takes it to an extreme but there is some credibility to that. The Earth has arteries and veins (rivers, oceans) and a energy source (the molten metal core). It heats and cools naturally sometimes to excess. But the Earth doesn't need human beings around. Trees grow on the planet and can die off. We are like the trees, we have been around but the resources might not be there in the future to live on. Do you get that? We are to the planet as trees. Trees can die. It doesn't kill the planet. It doesn't even kill every lifeform (cockroaches and who know what else?). But we are very sensitive to the temperature and humidity. Humans are very susceptible to environmental changes AND pollution.
This came from mankind's love of fire. It's the main thing differentiating us from animals. No other thought to make a campfire or BBQ a steak. Up until now....that has worked. Every engine is powered from burning something. And we have yet to figure out that better thing. Or have we? We have. Today's alternative energy sources would work better if we did them on a bigger scale (solar, wind, water, nuke power). Nuclear power is this universe's unlimited energy source. I hate to say it but men will never get past nuclear power. That is where we are meant to go hundreds ..... thousands of years from now. But it is so so dangerous. We may blow ourselves up, or others with weapons before that point. But I do think we should keep working on it. We need to continue to work at perfecting it without blowing ourselves up. We have nothing stronger than the power of the atom on this planet.
As a kid in Chicago I noticed winters starting in November and moving through January. I have seen the seasons change whether people believe me or not. Today we are lucky to see snow by December and winters that last into April. And everything seems milder than the previous year. I have noticed the seasons change from what they were.
When I was a kid I also thought we'd have moving sidewalks by today's times. But we are not even close to flying cars and holo-decks. But one genius thing we do have is solar power. It's a great thing. The sun powers our lives. It can generate energy predictably. We have pretty cheap solar cells and the technology is always getting better. I know it works. So let's hook them up everywhere in unused spaces. And support it in conversation. We should at least have solar panels linked together around the world to constantly follow the sunlight. Permanent power. It's something we know but don't use. There is also definitely a government conspiracy with the car and oil companies to not research alternative energy sources. That we can not fight as individuals unless we demand electric cars or solar ones.
So to save the planet we need to just burn less stuff. That's the key. Well that and a little goodness in the world. Maybe some respect for your fellow people. But mainly by not encouraging burning fossil fuels in your cars and in your local power plants. Our power is in our individual connections. So if the conversation comes up, be sure to throw this in. The person you talk to may be a suit who doesn't know any better. Demand alternative energy research. Bicycles help the environment (by keeping your cars in the garage) and your own mood (as you you get fit). So ride a bike, tell people gas is terrible for the world, and live life.
Dedicated to my brethren blogging today for environmental change.