Hand me down my walking' cane...
"...Let me tell you 'bout the birds and the bees, and the flowers and the trees, and the moon up above..."
No, we don't need Herbert Brown and Dean Martin to tell us 'bout climate change. We can feel it, we can see it. We can smell it. And we can do something about it.
Need proof of climate change, for those mercurial conversations with the Fraternal Order of Bill McKibben-Nye-haters?
Got it right here; you could look it up under the birds and the bees. Literally.
For example, take my adopted home region. I love winter in New England. The cold weather, the snow swirling around the steeples. The winter birds. When the birds of summer also become the birds of winter, there is some serious juju going on. Serious. JuJu.
Up until 1958, no Cardinals had been spotted nesting in Massachusetts, let alone sitting on pine branches when the snow really started flying around here. Cardinals are a non-migratory species- when you are bright red, it’s tough to stay hidden when the snow flies. Unless you offer them something to eat. That’s why in 1903, they were described in most Bird Guides as a southeastern species of birds. Stragglers, east of Binghampton.
But they are ubiquitous in New England these days. Even in winter, the shrubs and trees, and feeders are crawling with Cardinals. Their range has exploded in the past fifty years. They aren’t the only bird species that has seen significant changes in their range during that environmentally microscopic period of time. Owls, hawks, warblers, waders- check the maps- range changes are all the rage. They are rampant. All birds, of course, follow the food supply. If insects are available for food longer in the year; if small mammals are taking longer to go to ground to hibernate, if the harshness of winters are trending towards moderation, birds move into new territories. They reproduce, because the climate allows that, and because the environment provides energy, through food.
Who knew that one of the foremost authorities on the impact of climate change would end up being Roger Tory filling the back of his field guides.
Unconvinced? Let me tell you about the bees. They are having a helluva time with climate change as well. Warmer seasons may be disconnecting the bees from the very flowers they pollinate- the bees are emerging earlier in spring these days, before the flowers are ready for their duet. If this is happening, and there are indications it has begun, the outcome is predictable. The bees will starve, and fail to reproduce, and the flowers, when they emerge, lack their natural pollinators. And if that flower happens to be on a peach tree or an apple tree, it won't only be the bees going to bed without dinner.
Every good crisis builds towards a moment when the issues clarify, when the push to resolution overpowers the habits and rueful comfort of intentional denial. We are at that point. On September 21st, against the backdrop of critical conversations at the United Nations about the effects of climate change, I get to put my feet where my mouth is.
Maybe I should rephrase that.
I get to walk the walk, and talk the talk. And in my old stomping ground, New Yawk City, to boot. Hold a sign, walk the line, and halt the lyin'. Nice work if you can get it, and I think I've got it.
September 21st, as part of the March4Climate, I’ll be back in New York City, taking a long walk before the human race plunges off what is clearly the decreasingly short pier of roiling environmental disaster.
I believe that it’s good for the soul to get back to your home, stretch your legs a bit, and take a walk. So, as summer 2014 melds into fall, I’m heading back to the old neighborhood, to take in the sights, and to make a point.
I don’t have all the details yet about the March, but I know where to find them. I know there will be buses coming from just about anywhere in the US. I know that there will be cozy, temporary housing available in some of the finest churches and synagogues in New York. I’ll be paying attention to emails, and checking here at DailyKos for the specifics as they evolve.
And I’ll be also checking the ‘official’ website, as this effort comes together:
http://peoplesclimate.org/...
The March coincides with critically important climate discussions taking place at the UN about issues that will affect the lives of my kids, your kids. The kids of people I haven’t met.
I know I won’t be alone. I’ve got a lot of friends who’ll be there. Even some I don’t know-- yet. Like you, for instance.
So let’s take a hike. We’re voting with our feet. Make some noise. Express ourselves. Let’s show support for our beleaguered friend and mentor, Mother Nature.
G-d knows, we all need ‘the exorcise’.
The world cannot change without us. And things need to change. Soon.
Actually, sooner than soon. They need to change now. We’ve squandered the luxury of time; we are working urgency, now.
See you in New York.
Marchons! 48 Hour People's Climate March Recruitment Storm:
Thursday August 21st at 12 Noon through Saturday the 223rd at 12 Noon
We are one month out from the historic People's Climate March. The September 21 March is being held two days before the UN Climate Summit, where government and corporate leaders will convene to discuss taking action to address climate change.
Tens of thousands are expected to march in New York City.
Join in the 48 hour Recruitment Storm by registering and inviting friends to participate. Our goal is to add 10,000 new marchers by the end of the day Friday. Let's make September a game-changer for the climate movement.
Sign up here!!! --> People's Climate March