It's nice of scientists to point out to the rest of humanity that, yet again, Nature is way ahead of us.
I refer to the study published in the journal Science, and recently reported by the BBC, that animals and plants are moving their ranges towards the cooler poles at a rate three times faster than previously thought.
So whilst we've been bickering about whether climate change exists or not, spinelessly shuffling behind vested interests or guiltily burying our heads in the sand, the wildlife of the planet has voted with its collective feet, roots, wings and fins.
C'mon, people, catch up!
Whether it was just balanced reporting or someone at the Beeb has a sense of humour, I had to chuckle darkly at two of their quotes:
"Seeing that species are able to keep up with the warming is a very positive finding," said biologist Terry Root from Stanford University in California, US.
But what about the animals that already live at the poles, or at the top of mountains?"They die," said Dr Thomas (...from the University of York, UK)
Bizarrely, for me then, there's a bit of an upside to all this. I can jog on the spot here in little ol' England, gently simmering to Hell, whilst hundreds of new species of dragonflies take up temporary and passing residence in Britain and my Odonata field guide swells to many times its normal size.
However, I'd rather not, for much the same reason that I don't cook everything in the microwave oven. Perhaps when the last ounce of life is frazzled from the planet, there'll be a strident and unheeded "Ping!"
6 comments:
I've always thought animals were more intelligent than people.
Hard to argue with that, Keith!
What do you think about humans who are moving entire forests to accommodate climate change for profit? http://www.patriciaklichen.com/2011/08/moving-forest-for-trees.html
Oh my giddy aunt! Whilst I understand the economic rationale behind this and appreciate that something will happen to change this land anyway, it still smacks of rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic. On the plus side, at least people are starting to think BIG about how we tackle these problems. It could be argued that this is a stepping stone for more environmentally ambitious, more ecologically sound solutions. I have enough trouble if Our Lass moves a planter and says "Does this look good here?"
...So you'll be moving 10 miles north every year in your annual house migration? Don't forget to let the visitors who aren't a pest know where the next 'mobile home' site is ;)
I was thinking perhaps... hmmm, Orkney?
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