Out west, climate change extremes play out

California wildfire/ credit CCO Public Domain

Rainy view of Seattle/ credit MyNorthwest.com

There’s no question about it any longer, climate change is upon us, rearing its big ugly head. And it seems that the west coast of the United States is experiencing the effects from one end of the spectrum to the other.

As summer kicks in, extreme drought persists, and the wildfires that now seem to be year round rather than seasonal have come with a vengeance. And California seems to be taking the brunt of this.

But moving north from California up the west coast, a different weather pattern is playing out. Record amounts of rainfall have been recorded in the Pacific Northwest, from Oregon to British Columbia. And it only looks to intensify, as a recent report of an atmopheric river of moisture is settling in over already rain soaked regions.

This is what climate change is now, patterns of extremes, in frequency and intensity. Yes, the Earth in its life thus far has had many eras of what we could call climate change. But they have occurred over very long periods of time, rather than the short span of our present day climate change, only since the mid 1800’s and the Industrial Revolution.

So once again we need to decide, will we let these extreme weather events become our new normal? We have the ideas, innovations and solutions to stop what seems to be a runaway train. Let’s all do our part in the ways we live and even better, let’s make our voices and concerns heard as we elect officials who will address an extremely important issue. Let’s focus and work on taking care of our beautiful home and all the inhabitants now and those to follow.

Forest Park, Portland, Oregon

Winter in a new place

I spent 50 some years used to the seasonal rhythms of the Midwest. That included harsh winters that did not allow flowers to bloom much past October. I am finding that winter in the Pacific Northwest is much kinder to vegetation, and that flowers continue to bloom, even in December. My internal seasonal clock is so confused! I know it is winter, it is colder here, yet I can go for a walk in the park and still see color! That was my chief complaint after last year’s winter in Minnesota; the dull, drab, colorless monotony that dragged on for what seemed an eternity. But here in Oregon I find color that nourishes my soul through the shorter, grayer days. A walk today revealed a dash of flowers here and there, along with moss that hangs like green overcoats on the tree trunks. There are leaves that fall off the trees, just like the Midwest, and they create a soft carpet on the sidewalks. Then I find trees whose leaves look as vibrant and green as they did in the summer months. But I’m not complaining. Soon enough I will be going back to Minnesota for a visit, and I know that I will be missing the winter in my new home.

Flowers in December

 

The roses have given up

Their petals now brown

Too shy to bloom in the cool air

 

But the pansies persevere

Their clown faces and circus colors

Celebrate the winter season

 

Hibiscus hang on

Now faded, washed out blue

On display until the bitter end

 

Cranesbill of delicate purple

Withstand the dropping degrees

And continue to hang on the vine

 

December flowers bloom

Like colorful candy sprinkles

On the muted green foliage