After the Storms, Welcoming back the Sun – and a New Reality

While I try to accept and understand what nature brings, it is not comfortable always when what it [caption id="attachment_2407" align="alignright" width="200"] tawny owl chick[/caption] brings is so destructive – however much I know it is always for the higher good. I was moved by the human and animal suffering that the storms have brought, and grieve still for the impact on wildlife; this is the time when owls and ravens are trying to rear their young and other birds are needing to begin to nest, but owls cannot fly when it is wet and windy, trees housing nests have been blown down, and many ground-nesting birds have nowhere to go as water covers so much of their territory. Much other country life has been affected too, and so the sight of the Sun and “normality” has encouraged me, as it has the wildlife I see rejoicing in my garden today. I realise that to expect the unexpected is the new reality, and that the physical effects of climate change will be a feature of the rest of my life.  It means that I will treasure the calm days and periods of balmy weather, and will learn to become more stoical about the hurts presented to us by the Elements, hurts that largely are self-inflicted learnings. [caption id="attachment_2408" align="alignleft" width="200"] the Sun in peace[/caption] Meanwhile, this latest, unmissable lesson transmitted through storm and water (excessive or inadequate) has through its severity forced world leaders to admit that climate change is real and that the time for procrastination is over. As global carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reach their highest ever level, at last the US, very influential in the world still, is urging action to reduce emissions, and seems serious in her desire to do something about the most significant issue there is on Earth. President Obama is said to want to leave a legacy: if his lasting reputation is that he drove through  effective action on climate change in time to prevent widescale environmental repercussions, he will deserve to be remembered with gratitude.   [byline]]]>