AquaCura.com

I've been convinced for many years that human activity would impose impacts on global climate. Probably about 10 years ago, I accepted that uncertainty persisted, but it seemed to me that it would be logical to decrease our eco footprints and control potential greenhouse gas emissions, because doing so would a) not be overly difficult (it still isn't), and b) be good for society in any event.

A couple of years ago, I was still taking some comfort in the 2001 IPCC report that, in good scientific fashion, expressed continuing uncertainty as to the drivers and potential ill effects of global warming.

But around 2004, my willingness to see "the other side" faded away as Europe toasted and as the Antarctic ice was seen to be melting and falling apart faster than the models had predicted. And the glaciers: is there one anywhere in the world that has not retreated significantly in the past few decadeshttp://www.architecture2030.org/global_impact/global5.html.

Now Greenland and Arctic ice. And ice storms in Pennsylvania, where we used to get good, honest snow. And bark beetles climbing the mountains to attack trees that they could not get to when winters were colder. And deer ticks (Lyme disease) overwintering, moving tick season toward year round. And on and on.

It's time to raise the volume. I'm going to try not to be strident, but just insistent. We are facing a situation that will threaten civilized society. Should I repeat? CIVILIZED SOCIETY WILL BREAK DOWN IN THE LIFE TIMES OF CURRENTLY LITTLE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE ON THE EARTH NOW if we don't do something serious and quickly.

These are my grandchildren. I have five, ranging from 7 to almost 2. These little people will see massive struggles between people living in higher (or lower) latitudes and people living in regions closer to the equator, which will become inhospitable as this century progresses. Today, these people emigrate for economic opportunities. How much more intense will the struggle between those in place and those who want to (need to) join them when the motivation is survival?

So I'm going to get back to the mission of convincing my readers that climate change is a serious challenge, and that an essential part of our campaign to turn back from disaster lies in making our new and existing buildings far more energy efficient.

For now, look at the 2030 Challenge: http://www.architecture2030.org/home.html. It's a great website with information that lay people as well as technical people can understand and appreciate.