Heat (Hitte)

Science related to climate change is not easy. The scientific findings often depend on who ordered the study. I can't judge who is wrong or who is right. Perhaps temperature and gas composition will get out of control in a few years and we're gone. Perhaps, on the contrary, our great grandchildren will consider climate change as the madness of the century, just like we laugh now with the witch executions in the 16th-17th century.

George Monbiot, the author of 'Heat', may be considered as a typical 'enfant terrible' by political and industrial leaders but his concern for the climate change is genuine and authentic. He describes how we don't seem to be able to change our daily behaviour.

In case of scientific uncertainty, the principle of precaution should prevail. Compare with the eruption of the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland. We knew a plane could crash from the ash clouds, we were not sure about it but we decided to stop flying as a precaution, although we desperately need to fly. Obviously and fortunately, the measure was temporary.

Suppose you ignore the principle of precaution. In the case of the ash clouds, one could then have to sacrifice a few planes and passengers, but humanity would fly and still survive (I'm cynical). In the case we continue ignoring the precaution principle in climate change, we could face an uncontrollable destabilisation of the temperature and gas composition on earth. Then don't forget: we don't have an emergency exit here. Nobody escapes. Nothing can save us, no Swiss bunkers, no Biosphere II, no undersea glass domes, no moon base, nor Star Trek space ships to protect us. But perhaps it is a chance for another species to take over the management of the Earth.