I've been following the news about the recent floods in western Europe ( Germany, Belgium, Holland). Total surprise, although these countries are said to have excellent warning systems. It appears science cannot predict the flooding with exactitude. People in Germany describe their cities and villages, as being now like battlefields.
We all know, of course, about climate change and global warmingׂ (Siberia's forests are burning - 38 C degree!), but precious time is wasted on theory, and not on practical issues. I believe we cannot prevent natural disasters , that's God's domain; but we can perhaps learn ways to save our life.
Education is vital here. First of all, people should be well aware of the fact that weather can be deadly; not only a topic for daily small talk. Secondly, if possible, don't choose to live near a river or any other body of water. Thirdly, we'll probably have to adjust in the near future to a nomadic sort of life, as climate change will make us be on the move - albeit not with horses, but with vans, ,cars, cycles.
Covid -19 might also put us on the move as people who lose jobs due to restrictions are looking for all sorts of possibilities to earn a living.
By the way, in Israel, we're facing a fourth virus Wave which will possibly lead in a few weeks to a fourth lockdown! It is the travelers to and from abroad that are being blamed.The airport is considered 'the gate to corona'
Without traveling abroad, israelis are dead people; the country is a sort of ghetto surrounded by hostile neighbors. So, they'll keep on traveling abroad, and Covid-19 along with them. Sad.
A fourth wave is scary. Canada is doing well, but we tend to follow the world.
ReplyDeleteYes, scary. It's the Delta variant.
DeleteThe flooding in Europe is so dangerous. Of course the earth has long gone through cooling and warming, ice ages came and then warming melted the ice. I hope we don't turn into nomads again, I like living in one place. I hadn't thought of how Israelis have a need for travel, thanks for that insight. Be safe.
ReplyDeleteNo nomads for me, please. I also like living in one place.
DeleteIsraelis can't just take the car and visit a neighboring country. So they take the plane and go to some hospitable country.
So true people need to think about where to live. Having a house in the forest could be in danger from wildfires. I sure hope your country doesn't have a fourth lockdown. It's gotta be devastating for all involved from dealing with social isolation plus the effects on the economy, etc. Are there any travel restrictions for air travel, like being tested first?
ReplyDeleteBetty
I hope so too, but things don't look good. There are air travel restrictions, but people ignore them.
DeleteThe flooding in Europe and now China is not good, and so many families have been affected. I hope governments and many of the charitable agencies will provide much needed assistance.
ReplyDeleteHere in the UK our Covid numbers are increasing and we've recently had so called Freedom Day. We still need to be cautious and of course there are those who are, but many who aren't!
Keep safe and well.
All the best Jan
Never a dull moment in this world: flooding, fires, Covid-19 - all very disturbing. I'm afraid we haven't seen nothing yet.
DeleteI heard that the moon is going to have a wobble starting in 2030 for a whole decade which will make flooding worst.
ReplyDeleteWell, we've got almost a decade till 2030,but flooding as it is now, is quite worrying. May God protect us!
DeleteThere are many rivers in Holland which is densily populated. You can't get away from them. We had severe flooding here as well and many people lost their homes. It's never been so bad. It will get worse each year. I am quite pessimistic. When people are not going to change then we are doomed. Mother nature had enough.
ReplyDeleteן'm pessimistic too. That's the reason for the title of my post.
DeleteThe world is really one big mess Duta.
ReplyDeleteSuch tragedy every way you turn.
Must be difficult at times with such neighbours.
Sorry to hear about a 4th wave coming. Ok here so far, but probably only a matter of time, however, our boarder is shut to the affected areas of Australia.
We've entered the 'Messy Age', following the Ancient Age, and the Modern Age.
DeleteWith all this traveling going on, our fourth wave seems inevitable.
My son has a big inward-bound travel agency in Tel Aviv with a large, multilingual staff. Or it was large, until covid. Now I haven't seen him since Dec 2019 :(
ReplyDeleteI suppose that like others in the tourism industry, he's got worries about the business and the staff. He wouldn't want to bother you with this.
DeleteNo doubt, these are sad times.
These are trying times, and yet the Tiny House communities are booming! Especially, in Colorado. I live in the mid-west (heartland of America) and we had a storm recently with high hurricane winds. Of course, that took out a lot of power along with a lot of old trees. Yes, still staying home as much as I can here. Masking up at work in the library. Thanks for you insight.
ReplyDeleteTiny House communities? That's new to me. I've heard only about tiny house for vacation or a short period of time.
DeleteYou're doing the right thing Ellie; the virus threat is still with us.
In spite of the evolving COVID so many are traveling. A friend who's husband has recently retired has decided to sale their home and live in their camper trailer. Definitely, the new nomads.
DeleteA life without traveling is hard for people of our modern age.
DeleteYes, I think there will be more people like your friend's husband. Not only retirees, but even younger, looking for new places.
I was just talking to a co-worker yesterday, fresh out of the University..finally had a vacation he went to 6 state parks camping in Utah in 2 weeks. Said it was the best vacation he ever had.
Deleteן believe him: young, after completing studies -this was a much needed vacation for him, covid or not. People are traveling, despite the anxiety.
DeleteThere is a lot of moving around here, too, as wildfires in the west, floods in a number of spots around the US and more are making people rehink their locales. Covid and jobs are playing a factor, too. A worldwide issue to be sure.
ReplyDelete" A worldwide issue" indeed.
DeleteIt is especially important for the young ones to think before they spend money on a big, luxurious house and furniture.
Minimalism and Mobility should be seriously considered.
Our borders are shut here and have been since march last year with the big lockdown - even then some people get exemptions to travel (we need to let Aussies come home!) but it does lead to cases spreading out of quarantine now and then, I hope you are able to get your 4th wave under control and quarantine goes back to working!
ReplyDeleteIt's so sad to see all the horrible things happening around the world with the virus and the environmental things :(
Hope you are having a good weekend! Was a busy day yesterday so will be a relaxing one today!
Away From The Blue
Sad, indeed. The moment you open borders, the spreading of the virus gets out of control. Who knows what awaits us. People are tired of all this.
DeleteWishing you a good weekend too!
The worst enemy for flooding is concrete ! So many houses have been built that no earth is left to absorb water. A scientifist here said something very wise ! He said we should stop to fight against the Corona virus with lockdowns masks etc, but just learn to live with it, even if we have to get vaccinated 3 times per year ! I think so too. I wear a mask inside have my vaccin and outside I am mask free !
ReplyDeleteConcrete as opposed to the water absorbing earth, sounds logical.
DeleteNo need for lockdowns if masks and distancing are taken by all seriously.
Vaccination makes the disease milder, which is good, but doesn't prevent the spreading.
As much as we would like to travel to far-off places and recently received updated passports, we're staying closer to home. The only exceptions have been recent family visits and even one of those was within our home region of New England. I will never fathom why people refuse to be vaccinated making the situation worse for others. Now, I have been reading about more unvaccinated people dying from COVID and even that fact doesn't seem to change the mindset of others.
ReplyDeleteYou're acting sensibly. I too stay closer to home (one of the reasons I've got no pictures for my posts).
DeleteAs for vaccination, don't forget the vaccine is on trial. There are people out there with various ailments that are afraid of long-term health problems. There's a lot of hidden info on the effect of the vaccine on various people.
The world is in so much turmoil at present. So many contradictions...so much hypocrisy.
ReplyDeleteConfusion reigns supreme..everything changes from minute to minute.
Take good care, DUTA...stay safe. :)
That's right. There's lack of transparency, and much disinformation out there. We can trust only God and ourselves.
DeleteThe weather can be fickle and dangerous.It definitely requires our attention.
ReplyDeleteI would love to start traveling, but won't be till the new year. My mom who is 82, always says, we are taking away our wet lands. She has said this for years. Even where I live, there use to be several areas, where there was natural ponds and tall grasses, where animals could go and rain water would gather, not anymore. Mother earth can't take anymore. Big Hugs Duta!
ReplyDeleteYour Mom is right, of course. And you're right with your remark that "Mother earth can't take it anymore".
DeleteYes.let's wait with traveling and see how things turn out with the virus.
Lockdowns are imminent here in the UK too, and there is heaviness in the air as the government continue to strip away our free speech. As for climate change....... the flooding here is mostly because of lack of drainage management, and also building houses on flood plains which would have been used as a capture for water filled rivers. I am not sure about global warning. I need to look at both sides of the argument before making an informed decision about whether or not it exists. Thankyou Duta...you made me think!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad and flattered by your last sentence. Thanks Vera.
DeleteLockdowns and climate change have sadly become our daily interests. They disrupt our normal life and cause us much worry.
Hopefully, God will make things better for us.
You've floods on your side of the ocean. We've fires out west. Pretty scary times.
ReplyDeleteThey sort of come in pairs: floods in one part of the region, fires in the other part.
DeleteI do agree with you; these are scary times.
It is a miracle Israel is even there, surrounded by enemies but still standing.
ReplyDeleteYes, we live on miracles. "Still Standing" - that's God's wish. We owe everything to HIM.
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