Altering life on earth as we know it
Jill Filipovic, CNN:
“Some (news) outlets erroneously reported that koalas were ‘functionally extinct’ as a result of a particularly early and particularly brutal fire season. They aren’t extinct. But they are getting there, and we all need to be worried. Indeed, koalas are a particularly cute emblem of how a perfect storm of greed, nationalism, climate denialism, political cynicism has gathered to fundamentally alter life on earth as we know it.”
Kenn Kaufman, Los Angeles Times:
“Audubon’s ‘Survival by Degrees’ is not a gloomy forecast but rather a call to action. Audubon is working on ways to help bird species survive the climate change already underway. But the report also stresses the need for action at every level, by individuals and governments alike, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Audubon cares about preserving the diversity of bird species, and that is the focus of its new report. But every action to help birds pull through will also make entire ecosystems more resilient. As a lifelong birder, I’m proud of the role my tribe has played in documenting the effects
of climate change. When local conditions change, particular types of frogs or wildflowers may decrease and disappear unheeded. A new moth may colonize a region, and unless it’s an agricultural pest, few will notice. But when a bird species disappears from the local fauna, or a new one arrives, legions of dedicated birders document the change.”
M Ramesh, The Hindu:
“The Paris Agreement is fundamentally flawed . ... India is one of the good boys of climate action because it is well on the way to keeping its Paris promises. But the world has quickly noted that India has set itself easy targets. Today, the targets are shibboleths. Their time has passed. India should first recognize and articulate the fact that nothing is going to come out of international action. With melting glaciers and finicky monsoons, India is particularly vulnerable to climate change. The time now is to run for cover. Floods, droughts, heat waves, water shortage are all going to be the norm. From storm-water drains and water harvesting to heat-resistant agriculture and flood-time action, Indian planners must start working on protecting its citizens from these emerging realities.”