Most North Americans choose holiday destinations in warmer climates so is the news of warmer temperatures at home truly an unwelcome scenario? It’s an important question to ponder because, without doubt, things are heating up.

We are fully adapted to and dependent upon carbon-based lifestyles and economies. The average person lives in a home heated with petroleum products, with electricity generated by gas, oil and hydro power, and a car fueled by gasoline.

Our workplaces, schools and recreation centers are huge consumers of oil based energy. Long after we have gone home they glow in the dark because lights, heating systems and electronics are left on for convenient and instantaneous ?boot-up?.

Sports, soap operas and reality TV shows are the mind numbing drink we suck back in huge quantities to anesthetize ourselves from listening to any more bad news and there?s plenty of it to be heard.

We have become desensitized by the news of unfolding and impending natural disasters that have bombarded us for years and years on end. And we longer have faith in politicians or bureaucracies.

Feeling powerless and electing governments that do nothing have resulted in few environmental problems being addressed and resolved. They are simply subsumed by the issue of the day.

In both Canada and the US we have witnessed right wing climate change denying “leaders” reluctantly professing to be born again greens.

Action speaks louder that words. And, what we do not see is political will being directed toward the immediate development of integrated national plans for environmental restoration, mitigation and adaption.

Related blog posts:
Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability
IPCC Summary for Policymakers, April 2007
Global Warming Research Shows Need For Protected Areas
The world will need our help when it gets hot
Time to begin ?adapting? to climate change?
Taking Action on Climate Change
Adaptation To Global Climate Change Is An Essential Response To A Warming Planet
Adaptation to Climate Change in Canada: Little Talk, Less Action