Just after 9 a.m. Jan. 14, 2013 the Seattle City Council released information an a map of areas that will be flooded by 2050 due to global warming. Pagans, being so connected with the earth, have been talking about the damage that we have done to our Mother and how it will come to haunt us in the future. It’s a frightening thought that this flooding will be seen and even more so that we will see in our life times. Global warming is not a problem for our future generations, its our problem. This map and press release are proof that Pagans and other connected individuals have been right all along.
Councilman Mike O'Brien said "2012 was the hottest year on record for our planet and one month ago, the highest tide ever recorded in the city of Seattle happened." He went on to say “You can look over my shoulders and see the cranes that represent the economic activity of this maritime and industrial sector that create so many family wage jobs, when you look at the map and you see that most of Harbor Island can be under water in these events, it really causes us concern about future looks like and how we adapt to that." It is clear now that more than just the Pagan community is concerned about our future and about our planet. Frighteningly, it maybe to late to reverse the damage and we may have to face the facts that we have done so much damage to our Mother.
"By 2050 this king tide will not be out of the ordinary but will be the norm," Councilwoman Jean Godden said. She also added that the map shows that Seattle has a lot of work to do to ensure its utility infrastructure is read for the rising sea levels to come. Looking back at this, 50 years ago and even farther, there were warnings that our continued abuse of our Mothers resources and damage that we are causing would create destruction such as this. This flooding caused by global warming is only the beginning and we need to prepare for more issues like this in the future. For now, Seattle and other low lying areas are looking at what to do to prepare.
In the next two months the City Council will be looking at what steps to take next and getting many projects underway. They will be conducting a citywide assessment of the impacts of temperature and the rising sea levels. Staying on task of restoring all 2,500 acres of the forested parkland by 2025 by way of the Green Seattle Partnership. Implementing projects in many urban creeks that connect floodplain areas, increases in storm water storage and improved culverts to minimize flooding as much as possible and improve the habitat. Think about the impacts of climate changes on the access to healthy and affordable food. There are many other projects that they will be working on and trying to put in place. Sadly, going green now will not stop the global warming, it will not stop the damage that we have already done, we have used and abused our Mother but it can help to save our planet for our future generations.
Want more from this writer?
Follow her on Twitter, join her Facebook fan page, or send her an email with your thoughts or story ideas heather.marseillan@gmail.com
Comments