Friday, October 03, 2014

The Walrus in the Coal Mine

I'm sure most people know the story of the Canary in the Coal Mine. Canaries need more oxygen than people, so if it dies- get the hell out. 
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Which is "science" that people actually believe. 
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Well 35,000 Walruses (walrusi ?) have beached themselves because the Artic Ice is melting more than ever. 
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Should you care about that?  Well, I've seen walruses up close, so I like them. But that isn't the point. 
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As a group of humans, this is a canary in a coal mine moment. You don't mourn the Canary, but you realize it isn't safe in the coal mine. 
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The climate is changing. Maybe you don't give a shit about walruses. But see, they are messengers here. The earth is screwing up in ways we can't imagine. I mean the know unknowns are really scary. The unknown unknowns should move us to action. 
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So give a shit or don't give a shit about the walruses. But note that climate change is happening and the consequences are surprising us.