What is climate change?
“THE CLIMATE HAS CHANGED AND IS STILL CHANGING.” President Theodore Roosevelt, 1908.
Teddy Roosevelt Called it Climate Change in 1908.
“Every year, 18 million acres of forest are lost, equivalent to 27 soccer fields every minute…” (source: FAO – The State of the World’s Forests!).
Wow, man! The sheer scope of that forest destruction staggers you. It’s awful. And should not be happening. One gutsy man strode across the world stage and warned Humankind. He called it Deforestation. And he spoke his truth over a hundred years ago!
Teddy Roosevelt Called it Climate Change in 1908.
I read a library book about him as a kid and he earned a respect that has stayed with me. Probably the Rough Rider charge up San Juan Hill first caught a youngster’s imagination. Ranching out in the Wild West. Exploring the Amazon jungles. A young asthmatic growing up to lead a Strenuous Life outdoors. Bully stuff.
Later, it was his dedication to Conservation and National Parks that kept my interest. Looking back on his own public life, Teddy said that these were his proudest achievements. A true outdoorsman to the end.
President Theodore Roosevelt gave his “Eighth Annual Message to the Senate and House of Representatives” on Tuesday, December 8, 1908. Teddy gave a long and astute summary of the State of the Union and, in fact, the entire planet. [1]
Among detailed accounts of Finances, Business, Law, Education, Public Health and Soldiers’ Homes, he certainly caught my attention with his Forests, Inland Waterways and National Parks sections.
“The climate has changed and is still changing? And Teddy wrote that in 1908?”
Well, yes. There it is. Word for word.
Today, when it’s taken for granted Fossil Fuels are the primary cause of extreme climate change, I’ve drawn some fire by saying, “No. Deforestation is the Number One Cause of global climate change.” Not that I’m letting Fossil Fuels off the hook. Three and a half centuries of coal-fed industrialism, with oil and gas following along, have added immensely to real eco-collapse. [2]
Thing is, many petrochem industries are now beginning to invest in Green technology. The recent announcement that Japan has now “more electric car charging stations than gas stations” caught our own Green Techies by surprise. Our Green tech and Green Energy sectors are already scrambling to catch up.
But Humankind has been busily hacking down those thriving magnificent green forests (“The Lungs of the Earth!”) for the entire Age of Civilization and before. For over 11000 years. And the destruction has been clearly affecting our living Earth ever since.
The Industrial Age has seen a gigantic leap in that forestland destruction.
The cure is no longer “Plant A Tree” but PLANT ENTIRE FORESTS – OR ELSE!
And Teddy Roosevelt gave us the reasons why in his 1908 Message:
“If there is any one duty which more than another we owe it to our children and our children’s children to perform at once, it is to save the forests of this country. For they constitute the first and most important element in the conservation of the natural resources of the country,” Teddy said.
“Shortsighted persons, or persons blinded to the future by desire to make money in every way out of the present, sometimes speak as if no great damage would be done by the reckless destruction of our forests…
“All serious students of the question are aware of the great damage that has been done in the Mediterranean countries of Europe, Asia, and Africa by deforestation. The similar damage that has been done in Eastern Asia is less well known.
“A recent investigation into conditions in North China by Mr. Frank N. Meyer, of the Bureau of Plant Industry of the United States Department of Agriculture, has incidentally furnished in very striking fashion proof of the ruin that comes from reckless deforestation of mountains. And of the further fact that the damage once done may prove practically irreparable…
“The climate has changed and is still changing. It has changed even within the last half century, as the work of tree destruction has been consummated….”
How has the process of Deforestation affected America and the World?
Teddy concluded: “What has thus happened in northern China, what has happened in Central Asia, in Palestine, in North Africa, in parts of the Mediterranean countries of Europe, will surely happen in our country. If we do not exercise that wise forethought which should be one of the chief marks of any people calling itself civilized.
“Nothing should be permitted to stand in the way of the preservation of our forests. It is criminal to permit individuals to purchase a little gain for themselves through the destruction of forests. This destruction is fatal to the well-being of the whole country in the future.”
Well said!
Teddy mentioned Palestine, a dire example of the results of reckless deforestation. In Old Testament times, as Moses said, Palestine was a “good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills. A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates. Of oil olive, and honey. A land wherein thou shalt not eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it.” (Deuteronomy 8:7-9). Literally, the Biblical Land Of Milk And Honey. [3]
By 1900, Palestine was a hot, dry semi-desert land.
I really recommend that you read Teddy’s entire Forests report. And the Waterways and National Parks sections that follow.
Maybe you’re not well versed in American history and all you know about Teddy Roosevelt is that he once spared the life of a bear while hunting — and a stuffed toy bruin was named to honor him. Entire generations have grown up with fond memories of their childhood teddy bears…
No matter — you should read it.
Here’s an unquestionable fact, my friend. Just over a Hundred Years after President Theodore Roosevelt gave his impassioned warning, Climate change is happening. We’re seeing the global effects. The results of inattention, indulgence and inactivity are here. The ravenous avarice of a handful of callous men is destroying our home and native lands…
“Live Free, Mon Ami!” – Brian Alan Burhoe
[1] To Read the Complete “Eighth Annual Message to the Senate and House of Representatives” by President Theodore Roosevelt, Dec 8, 1908: Click Here.
[2] Besides investing in Green Tech, the Petrochem industry could really up their public relations game by explaining the disastrous results of Deforestation. And Planting New Forests!
[3] “Long time ago, Palestine was famous for its rich vegetal green cover. Visitors would have gazed across the different ecosystems, noticing the dominant trees: the mighty oak, the pine, cedar, cypress, olive, pistachio, acacia, fig, pomegranate, date. The stone fruits. Wild oleander bushes. The blazing springtime color of red poppies, yellow buttercups, white orchids and a large variety of forage plants. All formed a unique potential for sustainable utilization. However, the landscape, ecosystems and vegetation of Palestine have been subjected for thousands of years to change on a large scale. The rate of natural destruction in Palestine is much higher nowadays…” Applied Research Institute – Jerusalem (ARIJ)
Teddy Roosevelt Called it Climate Change in 1908.
“Life is a great adventure. Accept it in such a spirit.” Teddy Roosevelt
Teddy Roosevelt Called it Climate Change in 1908 – what is deforestation?
How has the process of deforestation affected America and the World?
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