Earth is a system. Nothing is lost and nothing is gained (okay fine, a few or thousands of meteorites are added and we throw junk in space that might escape our gravity - damn sticklers). Whatever is here will stay here. Certainly in a different form or a different place, but what we have is all there is. Pollution does not go into space, it hangs around in the atmosphere, which stays where it is due to gravity. The gross stuff might even fall to the ground with precipitation. The garbage you throw out is now put in giant swimming pool like depressions, covered up, then a new one is constructed. But that is a new development and not all areas have this. All the leakage from autos, factories, power plants, parking lots, feedlots, dairies, lawns, farm fields and those old school, good old boys who still change their oil out in the desert, letting 5-10 qts. drain into the dirt, go down to the center of the planet. Of course, all this yuck is interrupted fairly early by impermeable rock, pressured soil and groundwater, where, a 2nd of course needs to be used, could be used and/or consumed by humans. I never really understood the Save the Earth, Whales, Peregrine Falcons, Spotted Owls, etc. The simple truth is SAVE YOUR CHILDREN. The true origin of this sentiment is most likely universal in terms of early wo/man. Oscar Wilde and Wendell Berry may have penned it first. In whatever iteration you choose some version of this saying is true; We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. I wonder if this is the true reason so many young people are choosing to remain childless. Okay, clouds. Stop with the tangents. This may creep again in some tangential direction. The oceans are not only rising, but are warming almost alarmingly. In parts of Florida, ocean temps were 97 degrees! I guess, from 8th grade science warmer water evaporates easier, so that puts more water into the atmosphere and of course, warmer air can hold more water. There is more water in the atmosphere than all the rivers and streams on Earth. Now there is more. This water will travel in the atmosphere in big fluffy clouds. Wait, there is water in those clouds? Why yes. A cumulus cloud about a km around would weigh about 1.1 billion tons. Water. Now let that flowing, swirling mass of dihydrogen monoxide hit a cold front and the pool is emptied. Lately, on the Hudson Valley and Vermont. Perhaps what we all should be learning is not to have any expectations anymore. Normal is becoming a word for the 20th century. Get ready to become flexible as that will be the new desirable trait. That and perhaps stilted homes and large umbrellas. Or fireproof homes or the ability to photosynthesize or ..........oh you get the picture.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Retired Educator
A life in flux. Categories
All
|