David Bouchier: Against Nature

A United Nations scientific report issued last week told us that a warmer future is inevitable. No surprises there, but an international study from the UN, on top of the infernos we’ve seen out west this summer, seems to demand our attention. I predict a flurry of climate activism out here in the suburbs. When nature turns against us on such a grandiose scale we must pull out all the stops. Air conditioning systems will be upgraded, new swimming pools will be installed and scarce properties in Maine and Vermont will become more desirable than ever. Climate experts have different and more challenging suggestions. But not many of us are willing to make the lifestyle changes that will save the planet from baking like an Idaho potato — such as driving smaller cars, giving up long distance travel and consuming less of everything. No, we will tough it out. A good air conditioning system alone will fix it. The whole point of civilization is to keep the natural world at a safe distance, and