The cube floating in my tumbler was eroding at the base, like an antarctic berg. The bourbon was showing no mercy as it licked away at the floating block. As the material transitioned from solid to liquid, it began to change the flavor of my drink. Eventually my beverage became so watered down I could not manage another sip. My barrel aged whiskey was destroyed by the melting ice.

Some of you may deny that the ice melted in my drink. Perhaps you cling to the testimony of the 3% of scientists are are sitting in the pocket of the freezer industry. I will tell you, I have seen this with my own eyes, tasted the flagrant sourness of overdilution. It is the truth.

…

That’s a fun allegory, but I hope the message is clear. We’re in a pivotal period in human history. We have flexed our muscle against the Earth’s will. While I fully believe that Mother Nature can destroy us if she wanted to, I don’t think she’s going to bother. We are doing it to ourselves, and we’re taking her down with us.

It should occur to you, as it did to me, that we’re in charge now. We have the power to shape our home. We must now find the will to prevent ourselves from destroying it.

This post was inspired by Before the Flood, a film about our unprecedented impact on the climate.