Pixabay image
“Climate change.” My elderly father taps the newspaper. “What do they think? That we can just close down businesses? Give up our cars? Stop eating hamburgers? No one’s going to go along with that.”
I don’t respond, our perspectives so far apart, words can’t bridge the chasm.
“And why should I care?” he asks the paper. “I’m not going to be around when it all goes to hell.”
My grandson plays in front of the television, watching superhero cartoons. His great grandfather flicks the remote. The child stills, silent, stares. Silhouettes of kangaroos leap across the burning sky, a world on fire.
Lament your future
As we grant with apathy
A burned legacy
God bless the little children
We bequeath a blazing world
**
Note: Apologies to my father for the portrayal. This is so NOT him.
I can’t get the photos of Australia’s fires out of my head.
I’m heartbroken.
Myths of the Mirror 
Regrettably, Diana, this is an all-too-accurate portrayal of climate-change attitudes, and I say that as someone who travels in those circles. Denialism and apathy make for a powerful cocktail, alas — strong enough to permit us to overlook the debt we owe to our heirs.
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Your last post gave me a lot of hope, though, Sean. I was blog-chatting with someone from Australia (I sent her a link to your post), and sadly, she feels less hopeful. Their poor country is suffering so terribly. I’m hopeful that November will bring a surge of change to our country and perhaps we can make a giant leap forward.
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Linda Visman — yes; she commented on my post. I’d be pessimistic, too, if I were living in Australia. What we need now is for the entire world to realize that climate change knows no boundaries — that the First World is not insulated from its effects. Right now, both conservatives and liberals indulge their own forms of denialism.
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Yes, poor Linda is so sensitive to the suffering.
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You distill the challenges we face so artfully and heartfully into this resonant work of fiction. I frequently despair at our human inaction/ignorance regarding climate change. However, I am gently reassured/inspired by reading all of the comments that your blog post elicited. Some people are aware AND are making significant changes in our daily choices to reduce our consumption, create new/sustainable habits, and to elect — and even become! — a new generation of leaders. Deep breath in. Deep breath out.
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I couldn’t agree more. The road ahead is going to be hard and full of tragedy, but it seems like people are finally starting to take climate change seriously. So there is hope! Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. Have a wonderful week.
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I feel you. I don’t know what’s going to happen to the future generation with the world going down in flames…in every aspect. My best friend lives in Australia and it’s been really bad for her, her family and everyone who lives there. It is truly heartbreaking.
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And they aren’t even into the hottest, driest part of summer. It’s all so tragic. I hear of good things happening despite all the mortifying resistance. I have a feeling that things are going to get worse before they get better, Bel, but I have faith is us liberals, especially the next generation. Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend. ❤
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We just have to keep fighting the good fight and never give up. Keep the faith 👊
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I’m heartbroken too, Diana. Whenever I think of the millions of animals that died in the fires I can feel tears welling up. 😢
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No kidding. I heard the fires are getting under control, but dust storms have started up. And it’s not even mid-summer there. I know that Europe is much more serious about addressing climate change than the US, but despite our appalling government we are starting to make some strides in that direction. Time will tell. ❤
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Sad in that it is so true. So many refuse to see or to think that we can/should do our part to mitigate the damage our predecessors (and our fellow earth citizens) have done. We have upset the balance, and we should take our responsibility to try and regain it.
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I agree, Julie. If not for ourselves, for future generations. Thanks for stopping by, and Happy Writing. I’m assuming you’re on a writing roll!
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Finally finished the 8th first draft of Book 2! Took me eight tries to get it far enough where I didn’t say ‘this ain’t workin’ 😀
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I do that many drafts as well, Julie – at least. Congrats and gettin’ it workin’!
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Ohhhh dear..this is really heartbreaking Diana…we only see that in the news here and i could only imagine how it is in reality…
Our prayers 🙇🙇🙇
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I live half a world away from the fires, so I’m like you – seeing this on the news and on the internet. It’s so heartbreaking and I worry that we all will be paying the piper in some way if things don’t change. Thanks for your kind comment and prayers. ❤
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🙇🙇🙇
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