Our Feverish Planet Needs a Cure, Now!

Global warming is real and it’s affecting earth and everything on it, which includes each and every one of us!

The alarm bells are sounding loudly; however, just because the alarm bells are ringing does not mean we should panic. We need to continue to deliver this message and hope that people begin to wake up to what is happening so we can prepare and start adjusting for the future.

It is now common knowledge that the things that affect our global environment stem from human activities. In this country, the modern things that we take for granted do not make us privileged, they make us naive. In our daily lives, we make choices that have a profound affect on all of us. There is no corner of the earth that man hasn't touched in some way and sadly, that man hasn't attempted to exploit.

It is very important that we conserve and protect the things that we rely on to survive. This would include our fresh water supply, clean air, productive farmland and the biodiversity of our forestland. All of these things are related. We can not protect our water supply without protecting our forests and wetlands. We can not protect biodiversity without protecting the animals of our forests and having productive farmland. Everything is equal and everything is related.

Reducing our footprint on the environment is a virtue but not entirely seen as an obligation by most people? It is only with a sense of purpose, understanding and responsibility that great things are achieved. As a society, as well as on a personal front, we are obligated to succeed in achieving what we need to sustain us and protecting the things we value.

According to Nova Scotia’s Department of Environment, climate change is more than a warming trend. The increasing temperatures will lead to changes in many aspects of our weather, such as wind patterns, the amount and type of precipitation, and the types and frequency of severe weather events that may be expected to occur in our province. Such climate change could have far-reaching and unpredictable environmental, social and economic consequences.

Low-lying and coastal areas face the risks associated with rising sea levels. Increasing temperatures will cause oceans to expand (After all, water expands as it warms), and will melt glaciers and ice cover over land – ultimately increasing the volume of water in the world's oceans.

In Canada such environmental stresses could cause problems with where we grow our food and how we transport it. The stress will also cause changes in infrastructure and community designs and regional vuneralbility. We are not prepared for any of this!!

What will happen if the dykes on the Tantramar marshes give way to Bay of Fundy. Most of the marsh will be under water and Nova Scotia could become an island.

Nova Scotia and New Orleans are areas that have important highway and rail infrastructure located on or behind dike systems that will provide progressively less protection unless raised on an ongoing basis. Strengthening our dyke system may be the only way to avert disaster.

Climate Change. What does it really mean? How will climate change affect Nova Scotia? How much of what we hear is real and how much is speculation? Climate change is real, and we are beginning to experience a gradual increase of its impacts. This might come in the form of increasingly extreme weather, droughts, flooding on the marsh and in towns like Oxford, and of course coastal erosion. How can we be proactive against such an enormous global threat? By taking action now, to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, and by preparing for, and adapting to – climate change.

In Nova Scotia, we can expect warmer than average temperatures, higher sea levels, more extreme rainfalls storm flooding, and more-frequent and extreme storms. Some native plants and animals might be unable to survive our new climatic conditions. The maple sugar industry has already been in the news regarding the huge impact climate change will have on it. Higher water temperatures may render marine animals such as salmon and cod vulnerable.

Preparing for a changing climate poses particular challenges in Nova Scotia because most of our population lives along the coastline and much of our infrastructure is located in vulnerable areas. Many players will be responsible for adapting to climate change, including: the provincial government, municipal governments, the federal government, private industry, as well as communities and individuals throughout Nova Scotia. Education should be a major focus.

Our schools must continue to educate about climate change, a cleaner environment, and sustainable prosperity, so that our future generations can better cope with these issues. Communities need to understand climate change so they can prepare for expected changes.

Many reputable scientists believe that climate change is real. They also believe that humans are responsible for much of the change in our climate and the impact of climate change could be disastrous.

If these scientists are right and we do not take action to help slow down climate change, many people could die. If they are right and we do take action we will end up spending a lot of money on things that will be sustainable such as restoring our forests, reducing our usage of fossil fuels and cleaning up our air quality. Is any part of that bad?