Richard Thomas lives in Waterville.

Earth Day has arrived. Let’s look at how we’re doing with the Earth.

A big question in the back of most people’s minds is, “Will our future be survivable with climate change?” Unfortunately, that’s impossible to predict because there are too many political and scientific unknowns.  

However, I can make three predictions. First, the changes in our climate that we are now seeing will get worse. We have not reduced greenhouse gas emissions much because new renewable energy is going mostly into economic growth, not yet into replacing fossil fuel use. AI will demand more fossil-fuel energy if we allow it to. And we are entering an El Niño, which will make things hotter for a couple of years.

Secondly, there is that dastardly conspiracy between fossil fuel corporations and politicians. Money keeps changing hands to make sure our government keeps subsidizing and favoring the fossil fuel industry. 

And thirdly, climate chaos will cause massive migrations of people. A climate change-fueled drought in Syria caused a flood of immigration into Europe 15 years ago, which caused political chaos there. And we’ve had our political issues with the wave of Central American immigrants who were driven from their farms by drought.

Within the U.S., the Northeastern states will be the least harmed by climate change, and so Americans from more affected areas will migrate here. The first wave of Americans to arrive has begun, the wealthy who can afford to buy homes here. When it becomes too dangerous to stay in the more difficult places, poor people will flood our state. Maybe Canada will build a wall to keep Americans out!

Enough of that. You know, I can’t understand why some people think I’m a downer.

So here’s the positive side. Every time that climate scientists think they can predict what’s going to happen, they are surprised by something new that nature does. And some of these surprises are positive.

It’s true that we have ignored the environmental dangers threatening us, but people are very good at adapting when danger hits us right in the face. So when we have no choice, we will likely act decisively on climate. And technical advances in clean energy and mitigation will surely help.

Right now, the world is facing multiple crises: income inequality, billionaires controlling governments, environmental and economic crises and a loss of belief in facts, science, kindness and other people. We need to change fundamentally and quickly in these ways, but our political system resists big and rapid changes. 

However, a time of real crisis creates an opportunity for fundamental change. The climate crisis could push our politics and economy to the point of collapse, forcing our nation to face and begin solving its multiple problems. Right now, we can each help in our own way to prepare our people to seize that moment when radical change becomes possible.

Doing our part is important. It gives our lives meaning and gives us a chance to act together and bond with like-minded people, for some of us, in political or environmental groups. Meaning and connection. That makes a good life.

We haven’t yet leaned hard enough on our politicians. Let’s act together, and let’s vote politicians out of office if they lack the courage to face these problems. Just maybe this is what we are here to do in this lifetime.