Monday, March 14, 2005

Mount Kilimanjaro

Mount Kilimanjaro has lost its snowcap for the first time in 11,000 years due to global warming. It simply boggles my mind how anybody can deny that this is happening. In an article entitled, "Mount Kilimanjaro Photo Wake-Up Call for Action Against Global Warming", Common Dreams republishes the Reuters story:

LONDON -- A photo of Mount Kilimanjaro stripped of its snowcap for the first time in 11,000 years will be used as dramatic testimony for action against global warming as ministers from the world's biggest polluters meet on Tuesday.
...
"This is a wake-up call and an unequivocal message that a low-carbon global economy is necessary, achievable and affordable," said Steve Howard...

"We are breaking climate change out of the environment box. This crisis affects all of us. This is a global challenge and we need real leadership to address these major problems -- and these ministers can give that leadership," he told Reuters.

The pictures include one of Kilimanjaro almost bare of its icecap because of global warming, and coastal defences in the Marshall Islands threatened with swamping from rising sea levels.


The Guardian has published more of the pictures that demonstrate the reality of global warming this morning. They can be seen here.

I keep giving you articles that spell out the fact that the earth is in serious crisis. It may be tempting to say, "Well there's nothing I can do about it." Actually, that's not true. I can drive a fuel efficient car and I can take steps to drive less. I can give money to organizations that work to reduce green-house gases. I can engage in email activism for environmental groups. Those are simple, doable, small things - but they add up when enough people do them. It was Joe Hill who famously said, "Don't mourn.... organize!" I want to say, "Don't despair; take action!" And if you do feel like despairing, take action anyway!

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