Climate Change and the Early Adaptor

What a week it has been here in Australia! The devastating floods in North Queensland paled into insignificance in comparison with the horrendous loss of life, homes, infrastructure and biodiversity in the Victorian bushfires. With the benefit of the 20:20 vision of hindsight, what could we do differently?

One thing stands out like the proverbial. True custodians of the land, Australia’s indigenous people were - and still are - masters of the regular, controlled, low intensity burn. This practice controls the build up of fuel. A number of scientific studies have warned of the dangers of the build up of fuel which has occurred both in Australia and the USA because of poor forest management, changes in land use and climate change which increases the likelihood of extreme weather events. These events make it crucial that homeowners adapt to the new conditions. In both countries these warnings have been ignored and wildfires have resulted, even though foresters confirm that an uncontrollable crown fire becomes a manageable ground fire when denied fuel.

Another core issue to be addressed is the current practice of building homes amongst the trees in a known bushfire zone. Like it or not, ultimately the responsibility rests with homeowners who chose to build, or buy, there. In future it may be difficult to insure these homes. Globally insurance companies are reeling from the true cost of extreme weather events and the insurers will be forced to adapt as well. As Darwin discovered, it’s not the strong that survive, it’s the adaptors.

To our indigenous brothers and sisters ceremony also played a vital role in land and water management. “We danced for the rain to come. And when the rains came, we danced again, in gratitude.” There are boxes and boxes of records of indigenous rain making ceremonies in the archives in Canberra. These ceremonies took place all over Australia.

I suppose to a Westerner in the 21st century this seems a bit odd, but it’s not much different from activating a giant prayer network, celebrating Thanksgiving or the harvest in the traditional European way. And it’s good science. We can, after all, alter the molecular structure of water crystals simply by focusing on love, or the icon of our choice, be that Buddha, Krishna, Jesus, Mother Mary or Mohammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him. Before and after photos clearly demonstrate the difference. Similarly there have been plenty of scientific studies on how plants respond to different vibrations. Different types of music impacts on plants differently. Our first Australians understand this well and extend the energy way beyond experimenting with a few plants.

As well as ceremony there is the shamanic nature of indigenous art, the theme of the film Liquid Assets currently in development. While researching the screenplay I learnt that Aboriginees believe the act of creation keeps the culture and the country itself alive. Their rock art is intended to be seen in conjunction with ceremony, song, dance and storytelling. A very powerful combination indeed.

In 1987 I arrived in Los Angeles shortly after a severe earth quake. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Native Americans living in the worst hit area had forewarning of the quake and did ceremony and prayed to quiet Mother Earth. None of them were injured. They also have spiritual practice involving the wind. Last year a Cherokee confirmed that if there is a hurricane coming, he has been taught to greet the wind with love, become one with the wind, love the wind and lead it away from his settlement. This is their wisdom and it works for those in the know.

After all, quantum physics confirms that we live in a field of infinite intelligence because every cell has intelligence. Indigenous ceremony and art alter the infinite field of intelligence through the positive power of intention.

Today is Friday 13, traditionally known as “Black Friday”. Today is also the first anniversary of Australia’s national “Sorry” day, a day of reconciliation for our original peoples and newcomers. In 2007 I attended Gin~Murun~Gari, a retreat for external and internal reconciliation, for black and white women alike. Those present will never forget witnessing “Aunty” Jenny Thompson declaring, “I am very grateful for the past 200 years. It has made me strong. It has made me who I am. Now, let’s draw a line in the sand and move on.” There is so much we can learn from these peoples and others like them.

What would it take to adapt our land management and water management and avert needless tragedy?

Bless all those who listen to the planet. All those who listen to the planet are blessed.

Barbara