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Like a lot of folks, I’ve become increasingly alarmed about the more-and-more frequent reports about the health — more the declining health — of our planet. Key to my increasing concern is the question: Will the outright, and seemingly intentional, ignoring of the issue of global warming, and the obvious changes in our climate that result, soon render our planet unable to support life?

Since I’m already in my 80s, my chances of being around to see the worst of those consequences are probably non-existent, so why should I worry about them? The answer to that question is simple and should be obvious to all of us: It’s important because of its effects on succeeding generations of life on this planet. My kids. My grandkids. My great-grandkids. Your kids. Your grandkids. Your great-grandkids. The forests. The rivers. The air. The soils. The flowers and grasses. Anything that depends on this planet for life.

As many of you know, I — along with millions of others — have been beating the drum of climate change consequences for decades (in my case, 40+ years). Yet the consequences of climate change continue to escalate. Why?

After asking myself that question innumerable times, one of the many answers I’ve settled on is this: The answers, too often, require at least some scientific background in order to understand possible solutions. Thankfully, I read a book recently that is written in a way that can be understood by anyone concerned about climate change. The author is Christopher Ketcham and the title is: “This Land.”

Although Ketcham’s book doesn’t pretend to be the absolute answer to all of our climate change concerns, it presents information that is vital to our understanding of the climate change issue. As my Uncle Doc used to say: “You have to understand the problem before you can figger out how to solve it!”

Good reading!

Sincerely hoping we’re successful.

Mike Higgins

Baker City