For generations, we have been taught in school about “geologic” time and have come to think of it as something mystical and grander than our practical time frame of life on earth could ever illustrate for us. I believe What we are witnessing is the climactic intersection of the damage we have long discussed and meteorological events theorized to be imminent actually manifest. What if our world and the earth’s systems are seeing to its own renewal despite our presence. What would that mean? The earth will effectively rid itself of our parasitic plague long before we destroy it. Perhaps we should alter our perspective and consider that saving the earth might really be more like saving ourselves. Flooding, in areas never before at common risk like eastern & SE North Carolina and my own home as far inland as Charlotte tell us we must do things differently. Areas still devastated from flood waters that arrived months ago, and have yet to recede. When will they return? What would it take to upgrade storm water management infrastructure to handle such a permanent climactic shift?
We must consider how to prepare for the world we have created. We must be prepared for life and culture-changing sacrifices of lifestyle that may preclude our ability to “rebuild” in place. Instead, choose another place. As a member of a people indigenous to North America, I know my people have roamed and been forced to give up our homelands before. We now are facing a potentially permanent climactic change and places home to us and my family traced as far back as the late 17th century may never recover.
I am a father of three, grandfather of 4. I am a geophysicist and engineer by academic training and professional practice. I am a lover of life, our world, and occasionally our people. Please join us as we remain mindful of where we live and what we do. Live here and occupy Earth on purpose.