The fascinating pictures of red fire and black lava coming from La Palma (Spain , the Canary islands) make us for a moment forget the huge destruction caused by the volcano's eruption, and the problematic existence of islands in this era of Climate Change.
The eruption started on 19 of September, and is not completely over yet. "All we can do is cry", said a young woman who lost her home and shop.
There are things in life that we could control, both as nations and as individuals: birth rate and nutrition, for example. Yet, we do little to nothing about that, and so, we fail to improve things on the national and on the personal level.
What then, are our chances to control the uncontrollable? (Yes, climate and Nature's whims are uncontrollable by humans, in my very humble opinion). The answer to my above question is not an optimistic one.
The big plan , supported by scientists and heads of state, is to reduce gas emissions to zero, and invest in renewable energy. These are good things; they should be done regardless of climate change, but...it will take time - time that we do not have. It's a very slow, inefficient process, full of obstacles, and requiring global action.
Nevertheless, we should not lose hope ; we should work on it, parallel to our main efforts to avoid /minimize disaster caused by climate change.
To try and avoid / minimize Nature's disasters we should first stop ignoring what science tells us about the melting ice in Antarctica, the sea level rise, the increased frequency and intensity of hurricanes, floods, wild fires, droughts, earthquakes, volcano eruptions. 'Knowledge is power'.
We could next try to redesign our homes, cities, coastlines; consider relocation, plan how to assure adequate supply of food , water, and shelter.
Not easy, not cheap - but we have to keep in mind that according to scientific predictions, latest by 2050 (make it 2040) many islands and cities in various parts of the world will be ....under water.
There is a You Tube channel called Bushcraft Bear that is reporting from the island. The guy just goes around with his camera and talks about what's happening.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info, Sandi.
DeleteWell, the lava has reached the sea, and some explosions and toxic gases in the air are expected.
It is frustrating to witness natural phenomenon that can't be controlled (like volcano eruptions), but people should know better than to build in the path of something that will erupt.
ReplyDeleteWell, Kathy, I said the same when visiting the Vesuvio volcano in Italy. People living there are well off. The soil is very rich, and makes them rich too. Most of them rely on the constant monitoring of the volcano's activity by the experts.
DeleteTerrible about La Palma.
ReplyDeleteThe former big eruption was, I think, in 1971 (50 years ago?).
DeleteI'm afraid, frequency of eruptions and earthquakes is going to be much increased by Climate Change.
It humbles me when I think of the power of natural disasters/change that people face. I've been very lucky in my life to never have to endure the consequences of one.
ReplyDeleteMay you keep on being lucky, Ann, and never experience any disaster!
DeleteMay we all never have to go through disasters of any kind!
I agree with everything you said about controlling climate change, if not for us then for our children.
ReplyDeleteBut the La Palma photo is terrifying. In bush fire areas, families can have spare clothes in the boot of their car, and can leave home as soon as the police warnings arrive. In years of crop failure you can stack away thousands of tinned food in an emergency cupboard. In pandemics you can vaccinate and isolate. But volcanos and earthquakes leave humans helpless.
Nowadays, with sophisticated monitoring, there are warnings all the time about activity of volcanoes and earthquakes, but only about the small ones; no one knows when the Big one will come. Only God knows.
DeleteSo, in the meantime people go on living their life.
Dreadful happenings with the lava, watched video of houses just collapsing, the people who lived there so sad, left with only their lives.
ReplyDeleteI was taught at school, now that's a long time ago that the sea would rise in certain countries and unfortunately I can't recall which ones...sad.
Predictions mention even London, as likely to be under water. Imagine that! Well,UK is an island,though a big one, and islands are an obvious target. Sad, it is.
DeleteIt is sad yet such a startling revelation to watch. At least from a distance. Of course, we have politicians fighting over money and nothing gets done, but even so, it might be too late. But like you said, don't give up hope. The earth keep evolving.
ReplyDelete"...nothing gets done....and it might be late." This sums it all up. We're still left with Hope.
DeleteI guess one of the problems is how much time it will take for us to unite to a better solution for these problems and then it might take decades to make things better in our world. Sort of like medications that will help you only it takes a lot longer to see success than what we have time for. Always a conflict waiting for us.
DeleteTime is crucial. As we live in a completely divided world, things might take ages to solve global problems, even local ones.
DeleteWe have paid less attentions to nature since modernisation. Now, buck stops here.
ReplyDeleteWe certainly do and will pay a heavy price for the constant violation of Nature's rules. We've gone too far with modernization.
DeleteOne third of the Netherlands lies below sea level, with the lowest point being 22 feet (6.7 meters) below sea level. In the Netherlands, sea level rise means more cost in protecting the coast. We have to do it.
ReplyDeleteLa Palma, vulcano. It is so awful for the people there, the island. It continues to spew lava and thick clouds of black smoke. I read today that authorities told several thousand residents of the island to stay home because of worsening air quality.
I pray for mercy.
Interesting! I didn't know part of the Netherlands is below sea level. Our lowest point is the Dead Sea.
DeleteSmoke from fires and from volcano eruptions do indeed worsen air quality and badly affect people's health. As if we don't have enough trouble without that.
I just started to note the birds and animals I see when I'm outside or from my window. I feel there are so few of them now, so I will document. I will be outside more now that the weather is cooler. Will post about it after some time goes by.
ReplyDeleteן'afraid the smoke from the wildfires in California, affects not only humans, but also birds and animals.
DeleteI hope I'm wrong, but nothing good can come out of that smoke.
Yes, good idea to document and inform us in a post about your findings.
Life will never be the same for the residents of the island. Very unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteTrue, Catarina. Their life will never be the same. That's very sad. Living around a volcano is a big risk. Now, we're being told that the mere living on an island is a big risk because of climate change.
DeleteI've been watching that and it's just crazy. I feel bad for anyone who lived or lives there.
ReplyDeleteIslands appear to be the first target of Climate Change.
DeleteToo bad, as I was toying with the idea that perhaps I could live half of the year on one of the neighboring greek islands, or Cyprus.
Good weather, low prices, more security than in Israel -these are things that certainly attract me.
That photo looks so beautiful but scary too. So sad for people affected by things like this. I really hope that we can do something about climate change and make a difference in the future for the things we can control!
ReplyDeleteHope you have had a lovely weekend :)
Away From The Blue
Right, Mica. The photo looks both beautiful and scary. The situation of the island and its inhabitants is bad. It causes us great sadness just to look at at the pictures. May God help!
DeleteI worry about the world we are leaving for little ones like my Toddler grands. So worldwide. And whether it is a volcano, hurricane, tornado or floods, they're all part of the system. We cannot ignore.
ReplyDeleteYou seem to worry about the future. I'm afraid of surprises now. Time to worry about the vulnerable: kids, elderly, animals. Families should perhaps have a plan and not rely entirely on the State.
ReplyDeleteSince our world exists there had always been climate changes. Otherwise England would be still attached to France and Dinosaures walking in your arrêtés. I have seen The lava cooking in The Etna in 1964 When you could go up till the top there were no tourists yet My shoes nearly burnt ! What an adventure !!
ReplyDeleteThat's correct. Still, the frequency and intensity of climate changes has greatly increased during the lat two decades. and that causes worry.
DeleteTo be by the crater of Etna -is an experience of once in a lifetime!
Hi Duta! Hope all is well with you! Sorry for my long-ish absence! I will return with a verse , in response to what you said about not losing hope! with blessings and Love!❤️
ReplyDelete13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Hi Shayndel,
DeleteI've missed you, and your comments.Hope, things are OK with you. I'm well, thank God, and thank you for asking.
As for your verse: Amen! It's always relevant.
Yes, lots of volcano action of late! Iceland, and Hawaii as well. Hope you have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I keep saying: We're witnessing an increase in the frequency of Nature's destructive phenomena.That's Climate Change.
DeleteMy thoughts and prayers are with all those affected ...
ReplyDeleteThe 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, is scheduled to be held in the city of Glasgow, Scotland, between 31 October and 12 November 2021.
I am hoping that something positive will come from this conference, we shall see.
All the best Jan
Thanks for the info, Jan. The conference in Glasgow is an important event!The world will be all eyes and ears for it.
DeleteHopefully, as you say, something positive will come out of it.
The problems are not easily solved...some never will be, never can be. Working hand and hand with Nature, who holds the upper hand, has to be the only way.
ReplyDeleteHumans must not abuse the world in which they live.
Well put! 'Nature holds the upper hand, and we humans should not abuse the world in which we live'.
DeleteI totally agree with you, Lee.
"Horrible" is not a strong enough word to describe the siuation in La Palma. In fact, no words can describe it.
ReplyDeleteBuenas tardes, Duta. En primer lugar, agradecerte este gesto de solidaridad con los habitantes de esta isla española de La Palma, de la que te puede decir de que llevamos dos días, que parece que el caudal de lava está descendiendo, así que ojalá que esto termine pronto, porque, aunque el Gobierno y el Cabildo de las Palmas de Gran Canarias se están volcando con los afectados atendiéndolos y dándoles alimentos, ropas y cobijo, es muy duro ver perder tu hogar al que le has dedicado toda una vida.
ReplyDeleteAunque hay ya muchos presupuestos aprobados para construirles vivienda, no se puede hacer nada hasta que el volcán no cese su actividad. Se han perdido ya más de dos mil hogares.
Muy de acuerdo estoy con tu reflexión a nivel global, ya que se deben de adelantar las medidas contra el cambio climático, es más, se deberían de sancionar a los países que no cumplan con los compromisos tomados, porque nos estamos jugando toda la humanidad, mucho en ello.
Y como no me quiero extender más, te agradezco de nuevo este detalle, y lo interesante de tu entrada, y te envío un cordial saludo.
I'm glad to learn from your post that there are budgets ready to restore and rebuilt homes on the afflicted island.
DeleteMy heart goes out for the people of La Palma. Hopefully, their life will soon go back to normal.
There should certainly be intensive global action regarding the obvious dangers of Climate Change!
Perdona, pero me tengo que marchar a recoger a mis nietos del colegio, pero volveré esta tarde o mañana para seguir leyendo tus otras publicaciones.
ReplyDeleteOtro saludo.
Grandchildren are and should always be first on the agenda! Picking them up from school is also a great pleasure for the grannies.
Delete