Bill McKibben published The End of Nature way back in 1989. His book detailed the emerging concept of climate change, a phenomenon which would unfortunately assume the label of ‘Global Warming,’ allowing for endless misinformed interpretations of overall effects, and denials of interrelated calamities. While Mr. McKibben expounded on inevitably devastating predictions for the world as we know it—he ultimately concluded (in my memory at least) that humanity, and even he personally, wouldn’t be easily convinced to adopt the measures necessary to alter the actions and emissions attributed to its acceleration. He was right.

17 years later (!) the documentary An Inconvenient Truth was released. The polemics generated in response continue in their ignorance and vehemence. A challenge of epic and conceivably existential proportions, which could potentially be mitigated through global cooperation and collective ingenuity, instead remains politicized by those who stand to gain the most from the continued proliferation of carbon industries. Well, that and our own endless demands for comfort and convenience I suppose. Which McKibben identified as the insurmountable stubbornness at odds with feasible corrective measures.

If you’ve been alive for more than a couple decades there is no doubt you have noted significant and ever-increasing alterations to the environments where you live and recreate. Even the most ardent opponents of vilified green agendas will reminisce about how things have changed since they were kids. In my own time on the planet, as someone whose favorite activities (boating and snow sports) rely entirely on water cycles—it would be impossible to pretend not to have been witness to obvious and progressively pronounced climate instabilities. Hotter, drier, more severe. Seems like one would have to expend significantly more effort in denial than acceptance. Even if acceptance is unlikely to amount to viable action. Even if viable action means things like local jobs, regional energy independence, generational stability. Perpetuation of propaganda prevails. Maybe it oil-ways will…

Here it’s been winter but warmer. Little bit of snow. Little bit of rain. Little bit of out-and-about. Short forays into France, quick stops in Luxemburg and Belgium, more local hikes, breaking out the bicycles…

Zu Fuß

Various Cathedrals. France and Belgium.

Nancy and Metz, France

Düsseldorf, Trier, Etc.