The climate has always changed and will always change. The only thing you can rely on is that the dire predictions are always wrong.
In the early seventies, we were experiencing a new ice age. Glaciers were growing, and it was unstoppable. Experts were advocating for the building of giant man-made mountains to the north of our northernmost cities to fracture the soon-to-be advancing glaciers into smaller pieces that could then be melted in nuclear reactors at the base of the mountains to supply water to the cities. Many pundits were convinced it was already too late for some of the northernmost cities. They were doomed! Nope.
Temps went back to normal, so then it was global warming. If the predictions/projections from the late 1970s were true, I'd be underwater typing this. I'm not. This part of NJ was to be washed away by now. We're not. In fact, having lived here all my life, I can confidently state that the sea level here is the same as it's always been.
In the 1980s/90s, it was the Gulf Stream moving up the East Coast, and NJ would have Miami-like weather all year round. Nope. Never happened. The Gulf Stream shifted back to its normal spot. Remember the ozone hole that would kill us all?
Now they're not saying hot or cold, just change. Yeah, well, when has the climate been stable? The historical record shows wild swings, way more extreme than what we're experiencing now. Somehow, paying more in taxes will fix the climate. Uh, okay. Sure, it will.
There are always people who want to believe the sky is falling, and only they and the truly informed understand how bad things are. "Everyone else is a fool! A fool, I tell you!" No. We're not all fools. We've just been there and done that long enough to know that the sky truly isn't falling and the world isn't truly ending.
Beliefs are powerful things. Once someone accepts a belief, getting them to change or even examine that belief is nearly impossible. They know it to be true. There's nothing to question. They believe they live in a black and white world where there are absolutes. You must agree with them or you're a fool, because they know they're right. The truth is the world is a lot more grey than black and white, and there are very few absolutes.
Is the climate changing? Absolutely. It always has and always will. Can we stop climate change? No. Change is natural. Change is normal. Humans are enormously adaptable critters. We live everywhere from the Arctic Circle to the Equator. And we've lived through much wilder climate swings than this in the past without the technology we have now. The fear preachers want you to believe the world will end if we don't do something (typically give them more money or power). Nope.
"The world is on fire!" They may believe it, but believing something doesn't make it true. The true believers throw paint on famous artwork or slash it with knives. They block streets and highways to raise awareness. Yeah, that'll convince me.
Weather patterns change. Sometimes you have a wetter year, or years, sometimes drier. Sometimes snowier, sometimes not. And it's all normal. "No! It's not! It's all your fault! You'll see!" And they're always wrong. Every dire prediction made regarding climate has failed. "But there was a storm and flooding!" And there have always been storms and floods. "Not like this!" Exactly like this. Just relax and live your life without the fear. Without the anxiety. It does you no good. "How can I relax when the world is on fire?" Yeah. It's not. Understand that just because you believe something to be true, doesn't mean it is true. The world isn't black and white. It's very grey.
To quote Bobby McFerrin, "Don't worry, be happy." You'll find life is much easier if you adopt that approach. "But, I have to worry!" No. You don't. "What about the world we're leaving for the children and their children?" It'll be the same world your parents and grandparents left for you. Just chill out, relax, trust in God or whatever divine being you do or don't believe in. Everything will be fine. "Not unless we do something!" Like splash paint on fine artwork? "Well, it's something." Yeah. It's something all right.
Fly!!! Eagles!!! Fly!!!
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