Too Close for Comfort

Another earthquake – or a continuation of aftershocks since last September’s big event – Christchurch, New Zealand has again been hit by an even more damaging and fatal geological catastrophe. Why are we seeing more and more major disasters like this, when some cannot be directly attributed to a changing climate? Or can they? I have wondered whether there is some connection. I have sought expert opinion. I find it hard to believe that when we take so much out of the earth – oil, gas, coal and other minerals – that it cannot have some unbalancing effect. When we put so much damaging greenhouse gas into the atmosphere, it must have some impact, particularly when we do our best to change the landscape -  tear down and burn trees as well. So what do you think of this message:

Climatologists have been raising alarms about global warming for years, and now geologists are getting into the act, warning that melting glaciers will lead to an increasing number of earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions in unexpected places. Writing in New Scientist magazine, Bill McGuire, professor of geological hazards at University College in London, said: “All over the world evidence is stacking up that changes in global climate can and do affect the frequencies of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and catastrophic sea-floor landslides. Not only has this happened several times throughout Earth’s history, the evidence suggests it is happening again.”

We have a lot to read and consider this issue….about how we are not managing climate change risks at all well; we need to deal with the global food crisis, deforestation rears its ugly head. On the positive side, we are seeing good things coming to the surface: greener buildings, energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation. Companies like Avon and Intel getting on the sustainability banb wagon. It makes economic sense. It makes earthly good sense. It is too late to stop the damage completely. But we can be much better prepared. We can think and act in a sustainable manner. We can save the earth. We can save energy and money at the same time. – Ken Hickson