We feel like packing up and moving to the Arctic – no threat of wildfires there, just snow, ice and tundra.
While living in the Okanagan is great (you’ve got to love the mild winters), the annual summer firestorms are becoming too commonplace and downright ridiculous. And it seems to be getting worse every year.
There are lower snowpacks, less runoff, more droughts, and really stupid people throwing cigarettes out their windows or leaving their campires unattended.
These irresponsible people need to see the inside of a jail cell the day after their transgression. Same goes for these drone operators who interfere with fire suppression efforts.
But the problem goes far beyond these idiots, yet still points to the human race and its responsibility for climate change.
Our planet is getting hotter and drier. The ozone layer is disappearing and greenhouse gas emissions continue to sicken our earth.
Of course, there is only one word behind all of this: Greed.
Big business and corporations are having a field day with our constant demand for utilities, vehicles, appliances . . . the list goes on, and so do the emissions (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide). This greenhouse effect traps radiation from the sun and warms the planet’s surface, a dangerous trend that is killing our earth.
Governments are working towards solutions, but their efforts are not enough in the face of greed.
That’s why we have to make climate change a focus in this federal election. Not for us, but for our children and their children.
We need to know what these political parties intend to do about this serious environmental threat.
People really need to be aware of how they are contributing to the greenhouse effect and make changes accordingly. In addition, government has to tighten the rules and regulations around greenhouse gas emissions.
Don’t people realize they are killing their home planet and future generations? We are starting to wonder if they even care.
Look what happened to Rock Creek during the devastating wildfire. Residents lost their homes, visitors lost their vehicles, and ranchers had to let their horses fend for themselves. It was chaos.
Global warming has quickly caught up to us after giving us many warnings that we have mostly ignored.
While we go back to watching television or reading our favourite book, the earth is getting hotter.
Yes, the Arctic sounds more and more inviting, but it too is melting.
We can only hope to find another inhabitable planet to live on if we’re not willing to save this one.
By Lyonel Doherty
