Climate is changing our planet — and despite that, we as a society are failing to understand the emergency. A lot of the world as we know it is at risk. It doesn’t matter whose world — rich, poor, what religion or race, no matter which gender or color — once we lose what we cherish, it will be gone forever.

Today, Australia had its first recorded day without rains. Wildfires have become a norm in California. My friends in Alaska are talking about unseasonably warm temperatures. Entire coastal megacities are going to be submerged due to climate change — in relatively short order.

Nothing could give us a visual reminder of what happens when the sea rises than the city of Venice. It has experienced the highest tides in Venice in 50 years, which is putting the entire town at risk. And yet, politicians are dragging their feet and lining their pockets. In case of Venice, it is tourism that is killing the city. I love Venice and often dream of going back — but maybe I won’t. I can’t be a willing participant in its death as a tourist.

But it is not just Venice. The world and its ecosystems are being put under stress by humans — we are really the invasive species on this planet. It is hard even to understand why there is a lack of urgency to take any protective measures — after all, once it is gone, there is nothing to protect, nothing to rule, and nobody to lead. It all makes me so sad.

PS: I have included a photo of Venice to make you appreciate its beauty. Made in 2017.

November 13, 2019, San Francisco