Summer in Big Sky Country often
means one cannot see the forest for
the trees or visa versa. The season's
heat and dryness brings fire. As of
today, there are at least eight fires
aflame within our fair state. While
that's not nearly as bad as it could
be most of the state is under a fog
caused by fires way out west. Thus
we're not in immediate danger of
burning out. But it could all change
in an instant. Therefore we're all on
high alert. And ready for anything.
Global warming aside, fire is a vehicle
for naturally maintaining our forests. A
bolt of lighting will quickly clean up the
mess that we humans equate as the ideal
natural setting. Once decimated life just
as quickly returns covering scorched
earth with sprouting seedlings. Man has
often tried to control things beyond his
control for naught. No wonder Mother
Nature must occasionally bitch slap us
back to reality with something we can't
possibly control even if we wanted to!
So... do we just let it burn baby burn?!
One should never take anything for
granted. Yet mankind has done just
that since the dawn of our existence.
Whether plucking forbidden fruit or
poisoning ground water, we've no
problem doing what's obviously the
wrong thing. After generations of
abuse, it's finally catching up with
us.While President Trump considers
global warming a hoax I doubt he
truly wants Manhattan's midtown
to become waterfront property. Yet
stranger things have happened...
Years ago the New Yorker published
an article entitled "The Big One." Per
experts an impending earthquake in
the Northwest will hit nine points on
the Richter scale. Soil borings show
that every few centuries the Cascade
fault shifts. Given it's last rumble was
in 1700 - we're past due. And when it
hits, much of Oregon and Washington
may sink into the ocean. Followed by
a huge tsunami. So it could be worse.
The problem is knowing when to sell
everything and head for higher land!
There are many things we can't control.
Rather than live in fear, why can't we
be stewards of this earth's resources?
Many opt to live in the here and now.
However our children's children will
be here long after us. Bigwigs only
want to maximize shareholder value.
While politicians are focused on their
next election. Most investors are old
enough to be happy as long as ROI
happens soon. Greed has no schedule
beyond immediate gratification. Thus
many are willing to take a risk NOW.
Our planet is volatile enough even
without humans screwing with it's
delicate balance. Threatening our
terra firma via fracking seems risky
business at best. When are we going
to realize that going against nature is
never the right approach? What's here
today, could be gone tomorrow. Add
the threat of natural disasters and it
makes sense to do everything we can
to insure there actually is a tomorrow.
That's what stewardship is all about.
Saving the best for later.
At some point it's all going to catch up
with somebody. And while I doubt any
of us will be here to see it, the result
will be devastating. However there is
hope. Each of us can help the other to
divert disaster by simply doing our part.
Whether that's recycling plastic, taking
the bus, or flipping a switch doesn't
matter. Trying to make a difference
will make the difference. I'm doing my
part in the tiniest (and frankly easiest)
ways possible. Whatever you do, do
something for our future today.
