Some incredible footage from a huge sandstorm that blanketed Phoenix Arizona yesterday. One local resident said:
I have been in Arizona for 20 years and have never seen a storm this size. Once the dust reached us it was as dark as the middle of a moonless night.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lay5xKSStqA]
Get ready for more and more extreme weather, folks, as our atmosphere continues to heat up thanks to our addiction to fossil fuels. As Chief Oren Lyons said when addressing the UN’s Permanent Forum On Indigenous Issues back in 2007:
There is no mercy in nature; nature has none. It has only law, only rule. You don’t abide the rule, you suffer the result.
Want to hear more about the connection between extreme weather and climate change? Check out these links:
Jeff Master’s Weather Underground: 2010 – 2011: The Earth’s Most Extreme Weather Since 1816?
Climate Progress: West Texas Sees Worst Drought Since Dust Bowl
An Introduction to Global Warming Impacts: Hell and High Water
Or have you had enough information, and are ready to move from “Well-Informed Futility Syndrome” to action, to protect your future, along with your children’s and grandchildren’s? Moving from Futility Syndrome to action not only means your children have a chance at a better life, it also does wonders for your mental health! I’m speaking as one who suffered from this syndrome until I was inspired by 350.org to take a stand back in October of 2009. Check out these links, and/or contact me at 350orbust@gmail.com for practical ways to work on the most pressing issue of our times:
350.org: Moving Planet, Sept 24, 2011
A Rising Movement: 2010 Year in Review, 350.org
Citizens Climate Lobby (Canada)
An invitation to take action, and possibly engage in civil disobedience to demonstrate against the Keystone XL Pipeline project, was recently issued by leading North American activists, including Bill McKibbon, David Suzuki, Danny Glover, Naomi Klein, Dr. James Hansen, Maude Barlow, Tom Goldtooth, and others:
The short version is we want you to consider doing something hard: coming to Washington in the hottest and stickiest weeks of the summer and engaging in civil disobedience that will quite possibly get you arrested.
Click here to the read the full invitation and to respond.
This reminds me of a video I saw several years ago, I believe done by Michael Palin.
He was in the Sahara desert, and one of their infamous sandstorms blew through…to say the least it was very impressive. The native people were used to handling these storms, but Michael and the camera crew obviously were not!
Wow – Phoenix & environs turning into the Sahara – not a prospect anyone there is prepared for. And my sister-in-law and her husband are right next door in New Mexico. I’m thinking that any kind of desert is not a good place to be these days!
Ohhh I like that open invitation. I am so glad they are organizing against Keystone. It gives me hope.
I’ve asked them if there are any actions planned on this side of the border, too. When I hear from them, I’ll pass the info on.