Do We Have Only Ourselves To Blame?

I listen to, watch and read the news less these days, because there is so much that is discouraging to see and hear when I do. Among the worst of that which comes from the media is the effect that climate change/global warming is already having on our planet. I am an American, living in the USA, and I am appalled at how little we are doing to deal with three things that often contribute each to the other: climate change/global warming; air and water pollution; and lack of plans to clean up our environment and fight global warming.

The environment is becoming polluted and deadly to animal and plant life — including human animal life — yet regulations against pollution have been taken down; and harassment and even murder are taking place against environmental journalists (because they insist on telling their readers the truth.) The US is far behind many other countries in setting reliable standards to reduce causes of global warming, even though empirical evidence makes it clear that we humans are causing it; and the current administration is still not on board with the facts nor willing to do anything that is necessary to deter the horrible damage that has already begun due to the cataclysmic effects of climate change.

Human waste is clogging our oceans, killing off the life that has always provided well for humans, yet humans are throwing plastics, cans, fishing gear and other garbage into our oceans and streams. In some places in the USA the water is no longer fit to drink, while greed keeps moneyed interests continuing to do more to pollute our drinking water and corporations buy up water rights for a song. Our air is causing increased instances of human lung disease, and there are days when we are told to stay indoors if we have any risk factors because the air is so clogged with toxins.

Meanwhile, political entities on the Right minimize the causes, while the effects and deadliness of climate change are actually increasing, and air and water pollution have accelerated. Still, there are some on the Left who are unwilling to lay out step by step plans to deter and even eventually stop global warming even though many other countries have already done so.

America’s young people have taken to demonstrating against the USA’s unwillingness to begin workable methods to minimize causes of climate change/global warming, and science is issuing dire warnings. Those who recognize the horror that will ensue if we don’t do something NOW are advocating for reducing carbon emissions ASAP, and setting up think tanks to problem solve ways to help humans survive what has already begun to make life less sustainable. Others are instigating massive cleanups of water pollution and protesting air pollution. Green energy IS rising up, but has yet to meet the need.

I have joined those who are fighting against this threat to life. I know that humans have proven to be resilient in the face of many hardships; but I can only wonder if humanity can actually survive this one! If climate change/global warming wipes out life on earth, perhaps we humans have only ourselves to blame.