Dear Pat: I miss you very much. I haven’t seen you since October of 2018. During all these long months, I’ve left out — in all kinds of weather — a garden sculpture of your likeness so you would be able to find your way home. I even set out your very own condo. Where are you? Signed, Heartbroken
Dear Heartbroken:
I’m sorry that you haven’t heard from me, but I’ve been with Greta Thunberg studying climate change. Did you know that climate change will greatly impact amphibians? Here’s what Greta told me:
“Over the past few decades rising global temperatures and associated climate change have been of increasing concern due to rises in atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse-gas emissions. Over the past century global temperatures have risen on average by 0.7°C and these have been greatest in the last few decades. This has resulted in a range of global climatic changes which have had varied impacts on amphibian species. PAT, ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME?
“Range shifts, where species are either forced to higher latitudes or altitudes are a particular problem for many species within Central and South America where there are a high number of range-restricted species. LOOK AT ME, PAT. Where you once lived, temperatures are predicted to become hotter and drier and may result in species extinctions if there is no other suitable habitat available to expand into. Other potential direct impacts of climate change on amphibians are decreased survival such as that reported in the common toad. A TOAD LIKE YOU, PAT.“
Needless to say, girlfriend is way smart, so I’m focused on trying to figure out how to survive climate change. Your condo ain’t gonna cut it. I’m going to need better protection. So far this is all I’ve been able to come up with. You got any better ideas?:
Dear Pat: I believe we can safely advise that armor will not protect you from global warming. Did you ask Greta what to do?
🧐
Dear Pat: As long as I have your attention, I’m a bit incredulous that you are actually WITH Greta and that she has ACTUALLY talked to you. She typically sounds more like this:
“Many people say that Sweden is just a small country, and it doesn’t matter what we do, but I have learned you are never too small to make a difference.”
“I shouldn’t be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean. Yet, you all come to us young people for hope. How dare you? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words. Yet, I am one of the lucky ones. People are suffering.”
Dear Pat: The more I read up on Greta, the more I am tempted to get some armor myself. She recently said this:
“I don’t want you to be hopeful. I want you to panic. I want you to feel the fear I feel everyday. I want you to act. I want you to act like you would in a crisis. I want you to act like your house is on fire, because it is.”
Gosh, Pat — is that why you left? Because my house and perhaps even your condo could catch fire?
You are a dear for missing Pat and being concerned. Greta is truly a gift to the world and quite astonishing. I am aware of how encased I am in my own concerns–managing a severe cold and being present with clients–it is hard to find the room to feel the fear of our house on fire–and even to know what to do. Even fires in Australia are heartbreaking and overwhelming. Glad you are writing and caring.
Thank you, Charlotte. I did look for Pat last spring and summer and early fall, but she was never around. And because climate change is truly frightening, I thought bringing up the topic via Pat might provide a safe opening.
. . . but THEN . . . I just learned that the current occupant of the Oval Office today moved to “exempt pipeline, drilling projects from environmental review” — a forceful effort to strip away legal constraints on construction and energy production.
Sorry, beloveds, but I’ve gotta say it: he’s a fucking idiot.
WWGS [What Would Greta Say]?
One more thing: it appears that the Ukraine jet that crashed in Iran, killing 176 innocent people, may have been accidentally shot out of the air in what I believe is the fog of war.
The blood of these victims is also on the hands of the current occupant of the Oval Office.
Back to Pat. Perhaps she found true love, with her new beau providing a muddy, cool home for them to enjoy. You know how newlyweds are.
Way to go, Heartbroken. Making climate change so specific and so real. We can relate to little Pat, we love little Pat, and so thoughtless, careless acts of the WH are more clearly seen for the disasters that they are. I hope Adrienne has it right, but even if she does, we then have to worry about little Pat and her true love!
Carol — what a completely thoughtful response. Thank you very much. Yes, there was a connection for me with climate change and Pat’s disappearance — and now, we must also worry about Pat’s true love. I can’t help but think of all those animals — and amphibians — lost in the Australia fires.😢
The news of the Ukranian airline crash on NPR began “Grief on grief…” I received this poem by Ellen Bass in my inbox today. I think it is intended for you all, too, for Greta and for Pat:
The Thing Is
to love life, to love it even
when you have no stomach for it
and everything you’ve held dear
crumbles like burnt paper in your hands,
your throat filled with the silt of it.
When grief sits with you, its tropical heat
thickening the air, heavy as water
more fit for gills than lungs;
when grief weights you down like your own flesh
only more of it, an obesity of grief,
you think, How can a body withstand this?
Then you hold life like a face
between your palms, a plain face,
no charming smile, no violet eyes,
and you say, yes, I will take you
I will love you, again.
“Then you will hold life as a face/between your palms” — Yes, this was intended for all of us, dear Beth. Thank you so much for taking the time to share it with us.
So much grief on grief.