when global becomes local

I've been reading the papers. I've seen the Al Gore documentary. I've even had a few heated (no pun intended) conversations with folks here in Nicaragua on the subject.

This topic of global warming now has the ear of the politicians and the press, and it should have every one of us concerned enough to (1) examine our personal lifestyle to see where we can make a difference and (2) pay attention to government activity on this issue and lobby against policies that make no sense (I'm not going to get into what those might be, at least not today.)

I'm extra fired up on this topic this week because of an article that appeared in the UK press about farmers in northeastern Nicaragua who, following all conventional wisdom (passed down for generations on family farms), planted their rice several weeks ago when it appeared the rains were quickly appearing (and it's true that in late April it appeared that the rainy season was starting). However, that isn't what happened. What happened is, the rains didn't come, but the rats did, and now most of these subsistence farmers' crops are ruined. Why? Because the formerly semi-predictable patterns of the climate here are now totally unpredictable. And yes, it is our fault.

Perhaps this change is not yet substantial enough for those of us who don't grow our own food or live without air conditioning to take notice, but certainly for the Nicaraguan poor, the impact of global warming, and its wider effects on climate patterns, are already creating a new level of suffering in a region that has borne more than its share of hard times and environmental disaster.

And the developing world will continue to bear the brunt of wealthy nations' excesses and irresponsibility unless those of us who have inherited some measure of economic and political "privilege" stand up and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Proverbs 31:8).