Everyday seems to be met with something special -- perhaps some news that we didn't know about the previous day.
For example, yesterday we were blessed with the news that there will likely be no late-summer ice at the North Pole. Great, huh?
And today is no different. Though this special news came out over a month ago, I heard nothing about it at the time and I think it's safe to imagine that it got very little play in our ever-vigilant, Britney-obsessed press. So here it is -- as if brand spankin' new:)
Research unveiled today is projecting that by the year 2050, all current fish and seafood species will collapse. The report is the work of 12 researchers worldwide and is published in this week's edition of the journal Science.
"I was chilled," says the report's lead author, Boris Worm of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who adds, "I was really shocked because, I didn't expect it to be so soon."
He says the studies all point in the same direction, "We see very clearly the end of the line. It shows that we're going to run out of viable fisheries, out of all seafood species by the year 2050." He says the report shows that one third of the fisheries have collapsed, but that the trend is accelerating, and that, "We only have another 40 or 50 years now."
Worm says the problem is that commercial fishing is harming the ability of the fish to maintain steady populations, especially against other threats such as pollution and global warming.
Worm notes that the situation can be reversed but only if we are "more intelligent about what we take out of the ocean and what we put into the ocean."
But why do I say this news is a 'blessing' and 'special'?
Well, clearly, whether or not we've actually heard about these things has zero influence on whether or not they are taking place. Contrary to many people's perception, the universe continues forth regardless of our varying levels of ignorance.
With that in mind, the only way we can do anything about this... the only way we can inform others to the impending peril that will result without our intervention... the only way we can convince others that we are all in this together... is to first be informed. Only then can action follow.
Now we Know
Now we know that a lack of solidarity and bipartisan action will likely bring about an iceless North Pole and all the apocalyptic implications therewith associated.
Now we know that a lack of solidarity and bipartisan action will likely mean the demise of fish in our seas, lakes and rivers and all the apocalyptic implications therewith associated.
Of course that is but a small sampling of potential consequences of inaction.
Convincing the 'Inconvincible'
For action to be taken, we must be able to communicate the immediacy and severity of these problems.
Unfortunately, a problem we face in our attempt to inform others and convince them that they must take action now, is that these concepts are so grandiose, so catastrophic, so incomprehensible in their scope -- that most are incapable -- both intellectually and emotionally -- of absorbing the full impact of these causes and effects.
So be careful not to overwhelm those who you are trying to convince. Instead, try to personalize the catastrophic potential into easily digestible and actionable nuggets.
Note to them, that Global warming and general environmental exploitation will mean that they (or their children) will some day be unable to enjoy that Chilean sea bass, that ski vacation, or even duck hunting.
And then assure them that the simplest acts en masse are massive acts that will help to avert these consequences.
But you must convince them that anything they can do DOES MATTER. It all matters. Turn off the extra light. Reuse that plastic bottle. Walk to the store.
Tiny sacrifices save the world.