It seems that everywhere you look on planet Earth, things are shifting. There is a lack of stability almost everywhere, and extreme storms make headlines every year. “This one is the biggest one yet”, they scream. The biggest earthquake or hurricane, deadliest fire, or most devastating tsunami all seem to be in recent memory. The severity of weather, and its effects, are seen and felt in all corners of the globe. We’re seeing vegetation becoming diseased and dying and dangerously low water levels in some places while there is flooding in others. There is no shortage of examples of what is now better known as the ‘climate crisis’ or even the ‘climate emergency’. It’s deemed such for good reason – these changes are wreaking havoc on our environment.
Shutterstock
Drought In Joshua Tree Park – A National Treasure
The Mojave Desert in California is home to the famous Joshua Tree, a long and spindly Dr. Seuss-ish looking tree that’s become an icon of the region. This species is more than 2.5 million years old, with trees typically living upwards of 200 years. This is clearly a hardy tree.
Shutterstock
Be that as it may, the extreme drought of December 2011 to March 2019 proved to be more than many of these treasured trees could bear. Something like a camel, these trees store water in order to live in the desert conditions. But the temperatures have been so extreme that saplings aren’t able to get roots down and start storing water before they shrivel up in the heat.
Researchers believe that in another 100 years the landscape will be much different, and involve a lot fewer of the iconic Joshua Tree. (1)
Shutterstock
Arctic Glaciers Retreating
Nikater/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Researchers have determined that the Arctic glaciers have retreated so much in recent years, that areas that have been under ice for more than 120,000 years are making an appearance. Beneath all that ice, snow and glacial material are the tundra plains. Wide, flat expanses that at one time were covered in grasses and other plant life. Because these plains are so wide and flat, ice doesn’t slide and move as a glacier does. Thus, everything has been preserved exactly as it was. But since the ice is actually melting, not moving, researchers are getting a look at some ancient plant life. (2) Which may have some benefit. Always look for that silver lining.
Shutterstock
Rising Sea Levels – Spotlight On Tuvalu
Shutterstock
Deep in the aquatic no man’s land known as Oceania, halfway between Hawaii and Australia, is where we find the tiny island nation of Tuvalu. In the middle of nowhere such as it is, Tuvalu is very distinctly feeling the effects of rising sea levels. High waves in conjunction with those rising sea levels mean its beaches are paying the price, sinking due to erosion. Flooding in their homes is now a constant issue for many Tuvaluans, as is soil salination. Clean drinking water and water for crops are becoming difficult to come by, and this means crops don’t grow and hydration is a problem for people too. As a result, Tuvaluans are now having to rely on foreign imports, which is not ideal. (3)
Shutterstock
These are just a few examples of the massive changes we’ve been seeing. In late 2019, the world watched in horror as Australia burned, devastating wildfires indiscriminately consuming everything in their path. Billions of animal lives were lost, acres and acres of plant life too. Our planet is in upheaval, and with so many ways that we know we’re damaging the planet, we’ve got to do something drastic. Cut back on consumption, change our habits, become more conscious, learn what we can so we can be better. We owe it to ourselves and each other to take care of our environment, with more gusto than we have in the past.
Shutterstock
