Currently playing in the background: “Mavilim” by Norrda and Sabahat Akkiraz
I always looked down on people who managed to catch a cold in the middle of August. “Really? How do you manage to catch a cold in the middle of summer” I would say.
That is of course until I managed that exact scenario last Sunday. In my infinite wisdom I had left all the windows open thinking “well finally some hot weather so let’s get some fresh air.” In the morning of course I woke up with a painfully sore throat.
But come on – I can’t be blamed. Well maybe I can. But that doesn’t change the fact that the weather has gotten so weird that it is impossible not to have it come up in serious conversations, as opposed to ones you have with your ex’s new partner. (That’s right buddy – weather is the only thing you can talk about in that scenario. So, you know, good luck.)
It is an absolutely undeniable fact at this stage that the weather patterns we are seeing around the world are not normal. Understatement. At no point am I claiming to be an expert meteorologist. In all honesty the last time I studied anything to do with the weather was back in high school. But you don’t have to be an expert to see we are very clearly damaging the one and only planet we have.
Yes, by writing that I know I will be inviting the wrath of many experts who will point out the climate and weather are not related. Honestly, I have seen a comment like that in the past. And I’m not sure how correct that is, but, see, I just don’t understand how the two can be kept separate.
Whether the climate damage is related to changes in weather patterns or not – I still fully believe that us humans are really not treating the only planet we have with respect. It’s a shame more has not been done internationally to seriously raise awareness about the damage done to rivers, seas, forests, poles, and a multitude of other victims.
I realise of course any goal of this magnitude can’t be accomplished easily and can seem daunting. But human history tells us daunting challenges can be met. Putting a human on the moon might have seemed daunting, but look at how history books talk of that incident as a milestone in human accomplishments.
Genuine care for mother nature should become second nature to us – not just appear as more expensive mugs in chic shops. The time to act on the environment is now. Because honestly, although I’m not an expert and only a regular person in scientific matters, I am worried.
Şeref İşler is a broadcast journalist at the BBC World Service’s Turkish section.
