It has been observed by many that life can throw up unexpected questions at odd times. My experience seems to mirror this thought and occasionally the volume of such questions can be daunting. Just lately there seem to be a lot of them starting with the word ‘why’.
One such is why a drought? The ready answer these days usually includes something about climate change but that contains elements that can be debated. For example, is climate change entirely driven by man-made activities or is there an aspect to it that reflects cyclical weather patterns that have been revolving and evolving for millennia? While I accept human behaviour is impacting climate change, in my mind the jury is still out on that bigger question. After all, history tells us there have been ice ages of various magnitudes throughout the ages. The Romans recorded a ‘green and pleasant land’ when invading England and planted crops where nothing would grow in present conditions. There is evidence of water-born activity in arid places and similar conundrums indicating significant change of pattern over centuries.
Why does a section of our locally elected council think we don’t need a dam for ongoing water supply? There is an obvious answer to that one; some of them are focusing only on the opinion of voters with another local body election in the future. It is said we get the government we deserve but I’m struggling to see how we deserve such short sighted politicians. The primary function of a government of any sort – be it local or centralised – is to ensure the ongoing safety and welfare of its people and without water that comes into question very quickly.
Why did so many beautiful plants have to die during the drought? Obviously there wasn’t enough water to provide sustainability for humans and animals as well as all plants so there is an easy answer there but why did some succumb while others lived? On a stretch of river bank beside a bike track I use often there are whole sections of shrivelled shrubs while other sections appear to have survived. There appears no rhyme or reason.
Why do ridiculously silly people feel the need to start fires in areas already ravaged by drought and out-of-control forest fires? It seems the answer to that one lies in the saying I hear my daughter use a lot: “You can’t fix stupid”. And there’s a lot of it about.
I’m reassured to reflect that while there are many questions to which I have no answers, there are some black and white facts upon which I can rely. One of those is the goodwill of humankind in the face of disaster. The recent events of ‘potentially’ disastrous fires – I refer to the fact that lives were not put at jeopardy and a minimum of dwellings were lost – proved just how willing people are to help when the call goes out. That is a cheering thought to hold on to when assuaged by doubt.
And on a completely unrelated matter, I’ll leave you with this thought: Despite the high cost of living, it remains popular.