Mercy Mercy Me (the Ecology) sang Marvin Gaye

I got caught in the back seat of my car. I wish I were still young enough to actually enjoy being in the back seat, hubba hubba, but I was by myself and doing very boring adult stuff; measuring the space to cram in furniture. But then, I couldn’t get out. I had the keys, but the doors wouldn’t open. I was locked in, and the heat was unbearable. I was sure I was gonna die. Of course. I pictured my husband finding me hours later, when I was dead.

I’m writing this, so I guess I didn’t die. I finally realised the child lock was on. Who knew? All I had to do was climb into the front seat. Again, easier to do when you are a teenager. So yes, I finally managed to escape, I didn’t die after all.

But it got me thinking. Yes, about all the people who actually do die in the heat. But mostly about why we are letting heat waves, floods, fires, and other extremes keep increasing. Is it inertia, inevitable, or other “in” words? Maybe some of it is inevitable. But why the inertia? If we don’t do more, it will all be inevitable soon.

Today’s example is the start of Wimbledon. It’s the hottest opening day ever. It was 30 degrees in rainy and cold London, in most of Europe it was 40 and over. It’s now routine.

In 1971, it wasn’t yet routine. Marvin Gaye wrote “Mercy mercy me (The Ecology)” with lyrics like “Oh, things ain't what they used to be….Radiation underground and in the sky. Animals and birds who live nearby are dying…..How much more abuse from man can she stand?‘’

About ten years earlier, Rachel Carson had written “Silent Spring”, recognized in 2006 as one of the greatest science books ever written. Wikipedia says it“was met with fierce opposition by chemical companies, but it swayed public opinion and led to a reversal in US pesticide policy and an environmental movement that led to the creation of the US Environmental Protection Agency.”

“Silent Spring” came out in 1962, more than 60 years ago. Back then, the threat was new, and it was treated seriously. 1962 was a lifetime ago, the environment is worse, but few are treating it seriously. Donald Trump is rolling back the EPA.

Here? I am willing to do more, to pay more, but many Canadians are strapped and think other things are more important. And they are important, if the world ends in a nuclear explosion, fires that eat half of Saskatchewan won’t matter.

Even Mark Carney, supposedly Mr. Environmentalist, doesn’t talk about Climate Change much now. I just read a Globe and Mail list of things his government will fast-track, and Climate Change is nowhere. (That said, we seem to have gotten over our inertia about military spending.)

What’s going on? (Ok, that's another Marvin Gaye song, but back to “The Ecology”) Marvin and Rachel would be appalled. It’s not like Climate Change doesn’t affect us, not like it doesn't cost us all money. Just ask an insurance company, especially if you live near a recent flood.

I’d argue it’s time for another panic attack. Let’s start by changing the name. Instead of “Climate Change”, what about “House on Fire?” If that doesn’t work, what about “Fires and Floods Cost a Fortune?” “Climate Change” doesn’t sound urgent at all. I like change; it can be good. This is not good.

Why have so many given up? I wonder if it’s our need to blame someone, to be against something instead of fixing it. We are divided on fossil fuels, but agree that fires and floods are not good. Maybe it’s just inertia. Humans are notoriously loath to do anything difficult if it means endangering our comfort, particularly if we can persuade ourselves there’s some other factor involved.

We’ve been here before. Remember the first Cold War, the 2008 economic crash, and killer robots? The threats are all still here, and we are reacting. But what about the environment? The Greta Thunbergs of the world are not just protesting what we are doing to the planet, but what we are not doing. If we don’t fix the foundation, the other priorities won’t matter. The entire house will crumble.

From North Carolina, just before it became the 9th house to collapse. Thanks to AP.

I survived the car. And the Christmas storm 2 or 3 years ago, when 100 mm of snow stopped everything: trains, all roads, all stores. I was so happy to have gotten through it with my family intact. I told myself the storm was a fluke, but was it? The world is increasingly unpredictable, and “House on Fire” is getting worse. I fervently hope it’s not too late. Even if making it better requires a lot more than a child lock. Let’s add saving the planet to the list.

I like fire. But I like the planet more. So does our daughter. She knows it as the Climate Crisis. Better, but not enough. Thanks to all who care and subscribe. Please consider paying if you can.