The weather is mad. It's flooding in North Queensland, burning in Victoria, the coldest February week for 17 years in Sydney after a three day stint of over 40 last weekend. Europe is freezing, Naru and Venice are sinking. The ice caps are melting, the ozone is disappearing. Temperatures are rising, carbon is killing, Asia is burning, China is industrialising, forests are falling, people are breeding.
We're losing between 50 and 150 species of animals plants and insects every day but only care about the fluffy ones and we are bound to an oil and coal economy that is simply unsustainable and still there are the doubters that the globe is warming. I find that incredulous actually but whatever the cause, it's happening and we're blissfully ignoring it. So as you drive along the freeway in your V8 or SUV, throw that non biodegradable plastic into the bin, hose down your concrete driveway, light that wood stove and whinge about the price of petrol, spare a thought for the innocents in all this. Sometimes I think being obliterated by the Vogons for an Intergalactic Highway might not be a bad idea.
Douglas Adams had a point:
So long and thanks for all the fish
So sad that it should come to thisWe tried to warn you all but oh dear?
You may not share our intellect
Which might explain your disrespect
For all the natural wonders that
grow around you
So long, so long and thanks
for all the fish
The world's about to be destroyed
There's no point getting all annoyed
Lie back and let the planet dissolve
Despite those nets of tuna fleets
We thought that most of you were sweet
Especially tiny tots and your
pregnant women
So long, so long, so long, so long, so long
So long, so long, so long, so long, so long
So long, so long and thanks
for all the fish
(yeah)
So long and thanks for all the fish
So sad that it should come to this
We tried to warn you all but oh dear?
(oh dear)
Despite those nets of tuna fleets
We thought that most of you were sweet
Especially tiny tots and your
pregnant women
So long, so long, so long, so long, so long
So long, so long, so long, so long, so long
So long, so long and thanks
for all the fish
Phew, that's a bit doom-laden. Looking on the bright side - Venice has had floods for centuries but it's still there. The economic slump is drastically cutting carbon emissions. Oil experts say oil will last till at least the 22nd century. Species are dying but plenty more are being discovered.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it's true, there's still too much destruction going on. And with the world's population continually rising, and with it demand for the earth's resources, the future looks far from rosy.
I would have posted about hilarious prog rock lead singer of Marillion Fish...
ReplyDeleteBut that's just me
Douglas Adams rocked. Still does, in fact. I only wish he was alive (here on earth at least; I'm sure he's kicking on at some alterna-universe somewhere, maybe the planet he mentioned once where the lost socks and pens go to), because his unique way of looking at things could come in very handy now.
ReplyDeleteDouglas Adams-great reference and choice for this week's topic, Baino. As for the rest of the post, I'm in some agreeance. You can not reverse the damage done. Mother Nature is trying her best( in most cases )to rid the planet of the human infestation...and we're still ignoring her. But some of us are trying to improve things; it just may be too late.
ReplyDeleteTsup*!* And we humans stop logging trees the fish would have cleaner water to swim in Tsup*!*
ReplyDeleteVery nice what you posted here.
ReplyDeleteReminding us the very sad reality..
much food for thought in your spot on post.
ReplyDeletebrilliant vid and song.... alas and alack!
Well you've certainly got me thinking how I could be reducing my carbon footprint...not too late, let's hope...
ReplyDeleteAm I allowed breathe? Nowadays thats about all I am able to do!
ReplyDeleteLoved Douglas Adams too :-) On the bright side what would Venice be without it's unique water relationship - it's what made it famous and what makes it unique :-)
ReplyDeleteGosh Baino you're in a dark place today!
ReplyDeleteI can't disagree though...
We just call it global warming.
ReplyDeletethe Irish are used to the rain and floods and recently snow - no doubt we'll have a heatwave some day!
ReplyDeleteGo to Mrs'm website .. Solar is the way forward, get on board people, invest and save the world !!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the Global Warming nuts, humans are responsible for all weather patterns therefore, all humans should die so that the forests will grow wild and animals will be free. We should start with one country at a time. Let's see how shall we do this? Reverse alphabetically, Z, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe or alphabetically A, Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Angola, Antigua...or maybe randomly?
ReplyDeleteBe wise like Al Gore: preach Global Warming and push governments to change legislation while investing in companies that enforce this hypothesis.
I liked Nick's comment. I think I liked his comment on a post earlier this week, too, didn't I? I should probably visit his blog!
ReplyDeleteI know where my towel is. :)
Worth saying, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI came to West Virginia two weeks ago, and since then have seen a blizzard, fog, perfect weather, rain, a heat wave, a violent electrical storm that knocked out electricity and damaged houses, and now freezing winds.
Why do I remember gentle sunny days all summer long when I was a kid?
Nick it'a bit of a strong point of mine but I try not to labour it on the blog. One good thing about this economic meltdown is that we will have to look for more sustainable ways of at least being less dependent upon OPEC for our survival. And the new species aren't being found in the urban jungle that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteI tried to sex it up a bit with a funny song!
I wonder if he's related to my 7 year old sweetheart Kev?
Don't talk to me about lost socks! Adam has a Little Itty Bin full of odds ...I need a medium to ask Mr Adams where their partners might be!
Thanks Subby. A little dour perhaps but we're clearly the worst virus the planet has ever suffered! Like the common cold, we're incurable.
True Bimbimbie. At least with the price of fish, we won't be able to afford to eat them for much longer!
Sad but true Candie. Welcome on over.
Slightly different slant this week Kimy. I'm off to check out the others.
Every little bit counts Cinnamon.
Grannymar . . of course! Trees need a little Co2 to photosynthesise. Now go puff on your plants but in a good way.
Well they did build it on a swamp so I guess wellies have always been required.
Nah, not really Terrence, just shaking things up a bit. I'm a glass half full person. There's still time.
Ropi I prefer Climate change because the extremes are on both ends of the scale. Freezing when it should be hot and hot where it should be cool.
Moon our stupid Government in it's wisdom just stopped subsidies for solar panels . . go figure?
Ces, you're very cynical. I'm not yet convinced that we are the total cause. The earth has warmed before but surely anything we can do to reduce or delay the inevitable is in the interest of self-preservation. Besides, I'm sick of the consumerism and backing off that alone will reduce waste at the very least.
Megan, Nick's a thinker and a sweetheart. You should go visit.
Ah Susan .. .that's the selective memory at work! I don't remember rain in summer as a kid but it used to .. every February! Oh wait! It still does!
Douglas Adams was Perfect!!! for the fish theme, brilliant !
ReplyDeleteThere was a great show on TV last nite about how the earth has changed over its lifetime, and of course it is all cycles... but i think human's might be accelerating the process somewhat... anyway, it is what it is and eventually we will go the way of the dinosaurs...Hopefully the human race can evolve in such a way to live through the earth's evolution(s).
methinks ye covered just about everything, baino... but few will bother to give a damn, til it bites THEM in the ass grrrrrrrrrrr
ReplyDeletei'm with you on the adams quote
and the number IS forty-two :O lol
Sounds like the refrain of The Clash's 'London Calling'. (You and i maybe the only ones old enough to remember it!)
ReplyDeleteThe ice age is coming,
the sun is zooming in
Engines stop running
and the wheat is growing thin
A nuclear error,
but I have no fear
London is drowning-
and I live by the river
Yep, totally agree.
ReplyDeleteWe are quite environmentally friendly where I live, we recycle, the council supplies blue/green/brown/grey bins - a lot of bins but the planets worth it :D
We have wind farms - you may have seen some of the windmills in the snowy snaps I took. The shops supply paper rather than plastic bags. I do my best to use chemically free products and save species.
I'm still crippled by guilt though...
There have been so many cycles of life on the earth, it's all so hard to imagine.
ReplyDeleteBut as we humans linger and just take without giving back (the native americans had it right) we are doomed unless we step back and grow our own, shop locally, etc, etc, etc.
Nice post and Thanks 4 joining in.
In case you don't make it back, H Nilsson has been dead since '93
; (
Mmmmm just arrived here and first thought is "BE WHAT YOU WANT THE WORLD TO BE"
ReplyDeleteCheer up matey it's a long way from all doom and gloom!
I like your blog! & I'll be back
Best wishes :-)
Arm the fish against the dolphin menace!
ReplyDeletewell we have gotten ourselves into a bit of a pickle haven't we?
ReplyDeleteI am trying me best...
Well doesn't matter if we are the cause of it does it? We still have to live on this planet. If we can why shouldn't we help?
ReplyDeleteSpecies have died off due to weather before but I sure wouldn't want to be one of them.
On the other hand enjoy summer while we have it. I adore winter but right now I can't imagine waking up and putting on anything else heavier than a short sleeve shirt, shorts, and me flip flops.
It better not get cold because I'm going to the carnaval here in Arg. tomorrow. The girls wouldn't look the same dressed like snow bunnies!
runmotman - I'm sure the planet's had plenty of cooling/heating cycles (actually I know it has) but never has a species done so much damage in so little time. Wake up call methinks!
ReplyDeleteGlad you know the meaning of life Wuffa, you'll have to explain it to me one day, I'm nothing but a humble telephone hygenist.
Ha! I never thought of the Clash lyric as an environmental message, I thought it had something to do with nuclear war . . and hush your mouth rev! There are loads of commenters older than us . . lets see there's . . .and um .. .well . .
Yep Miladysa we're very much like that here although there are still many who don't care about litter, recycling, reusing, overpackaging. Every little bit counts.
CM thanks.. seriously, I didn't know he'd died bless his soul. I've always been a 'take nothing but photographs,leave nothing but footprints' believer myself. And it's a pleasure, I'm loving it.
G'day Ribbon, always nice to have another AUSSIE on the team! I like your blog too and will be back to pinch your Aussie Blogger Forum pic and link! I registered but couldn't find the graphic to post on here! Like your blog too!
Kris, now I know why you and Miles get on so well!
Keep up the good work Collette. Loved your fishy tale as well.
Minimise the impact TCL (on the environment that is,not theladies) Good luck at the carnival. Tell me do all Argentinian women have great bums?
No two bums are alike Baino. Can't expect a lad to answer that question of yours :)
ReplyDeleteBut - they do care about their appearance here. Argie women are really weight-conscious. You just have to go to my gym and see the number of women, from teenagers up to middle age mothers, who are in the body pump or spinning classes at 9pm.
Then there's the plastic. Even my gringo and European female friends stare and the size of some of their - you know - front areas.
A thinker and a sweetheart? Goodness me, thank you muchly. Megan, do drop in anytime. But just wipe your feet on the mat because it's pouring with rain here.
ReplyDeleteI mus t look for something good daily ah yes my grandaughter at Valentines?
ReplyDeleteWhat will be left for her?
I mus t look for something good daily ah yes my grandaughter at Valentines?
ReplyDeleteWhat will be left for her?
great post-- true so much is happening that frustrates us-- I have faith that people will save some things.
ReplyDeleteyou will note doug said: forty-two, NOT 42 ;) lol
ReplyDeleteThat's it Ted, I'm never going to Argentina! Had enough of all those beautiful bodies on Quickie's site! No wonder Buenos Aires is the backpacker haven of South America.
ReplyDeleteNick you know you are!
iBeati, there's still time to do good. Spread the word!
Squirrel I can't help think that this economic crisis is actually quite good for the environment. It's shown how dependent the world is on particular economies and should lead to some policies that might east the burden on the planet and alternative industries to combat job losses. If only our politicians could be a little more forward thinking! Until then, it's up to collective individuals to take some responsibility.
Wuffa, I still don't get it? Never did. Perhaps you can exploine?
Oh, look, sweet fluffy dolphins...
ReplyDelete