Humanity recently set off on a journey along a track that is clearly setting us at odds with the operation of systems that were – in many areas of the planet – suitably working.

“The modern climate era, known as the Holocene epoch, began approximately 11,700 years ago with the end of the last ice age, providing a relatively stable period for the development of civilization. However, this current climate is now changing rapidly due to human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, a phenomenon that has accelerated since the late 19th and mid-20th centuries.” AI

What I do know is that nothing about the weather in this area, eastern North Dakota, has been normal over the past six months. There are no birds. There are very, very few pollinators. No moths or butterflies. No dragonflies or ladybugs. Not even any grasshoppers or crickets.

The earth is saturated. When it freezes, come spring whatever snow falls over winter will have nowhere to go if temperatures rise too quickly before the ground thaws.

Then there will be flooding.

This is my fifth year back in this area after an absence of nearly 20 years of living in Arizona high desert. I wanted to live in a place where the people pay attention and notice negative changes. I am in that place.