In the midst of the devastating turmoil of the Second World War, the unthinkable occurred in the pristine expanse of Antarctica. A glacier, ancient and immense, crumbled, sending colossal shards of ice tumbling into the frigid waters. These icebergs, stained with the residues of warfare—petroleum and radioactive fallout—drifted ominously into the world's oceans. As they melted, accelerated by the war's violent disruption of natural patterns, sea levels surged, and the Earth's already fragile ozone layer deteriorated further, failing to shield us from the Sun's relentless heat.
The once serene balance of our environment was shattered. Our planet, which had sustained us with its stable climates and abundant resources, was now teetering on the brink of chaos. How did it come to this?
The answer lies in humanity's oldest discovery: fire. The flames of industrial ambition, fanned by the insatiable desire for economic supremacy, consumed everything in their path. Nations, locked in relentless competition, ravaged the Earth without thought or mercy. They drained its resources, polluted its waters, and scarred its lands, all in the name of progress and power.
The exploitation did not stop with the land. Human lives, too, were sacrificed on the altar of greed. Systematic genocides were perpetrated against minority populations, their cultures annihilated, their lands stolen. People were reduced to mere commodities, their worth measured only by their utility to the powerful.
And for what? For the illusion of wealth, the hollow comfort of an extravagant lifestyle, the fleeting intoxication of authority and power. In our quest for dominance, we forgot our duty to protect the Earth and each other, leading us down a path of destruction.
Now, as we stand on the precipice of an uncertain future, we are forced to reckon with the consequences of our actions. The world we once knew is gone, replaced by a fragile and wounded planet. The time has come to ask ourselves if we can find a way to heal, to restore balance, and to learn from the mistakes that brought us here.
Despite these warnings, many deny the grim reality that our world is deteriorating, taking us down with it. Numerous lives are lost, and many more suffer from famine and poverty, exacerbated by human activities. These include warfare, nuclear testing, fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, extensive mining, poor waste management, rapid urbanization, and unsustainable industrial and agricultural practices.
We often act only when it's too late, abandoning what is depleted and moving on to the next. This cycle of use and discard has made life a hollow experience for the vulnerable. The incompetence of humanity, even towards its own kind, has created a world of despair for the weak. As generations pass, this cruelty and inequality worsen, leading to more severe consequences from Mother Nature's wrath.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
----------------------------------------
Television News Broadcast:
"Welcome to our special weather segment! Today, we are honored to have a distinguished meteorologist and esteemed representative from PAGASA. Please join me in extending a warm welcome to Mr. Reg Pulido!" The interviewer, Miss Perla Magsino, opened the program with enthusiasm.
"Thank you for having me, Miss Magsino," Mr. Pulido responded kindly.
"Ladies and gentlemen, as we delve into the unprecedented heatwave currently gripping the Philippines, we turn to our expert, Mr. Pulido, for insights. With temperatures soaring to a staggering fifty-point-four degrees Celsius, a historical record for our nation, we eagerly anticipate his explanation of this scorching phenomenon." Miss Magsino engaged the audience with her lively introduction. "Fifty-point-four degrees Celsius — can you believe that?" she exclaimed, aiming to captivate her viewers.
"First and foremost, the extreme heat we're experiencing is primarily due to El Niño. This natural phenomenon results from unusually high water temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, which alter wind patterns and bring superheated air to our country," Mr. Pulido explained. He smiled briefly at the cameras, ensuring his explanation was accessible to all viewers.
...
"These shifts in sea surface temperature and atmospheric circulation can cause millions of pesos in damage to our agriculture sector due to drought. The fishing industry is also affected as marine ecosystems are disrupted, leading to decreased fish populations. While El Niño is a natural occurrence, human activities such as pollution and deforestation can exacerbate its effects. For instance, the lack of trees in Metro Manila intensifies the heat brought by El Niño. Consequently, the impact grows more severe each year." He added, "It's a combination of global warming and natural cycles."
"In light of the current weather conditions and their potential impact on public health, what recommendations do you have for individuals to stay safe during this period of extreme heat?" Miss Magsino inquired, focusing on public health concerns.
"Hot weather can easily lead to heat stroke, especially among the elderly. I recommend everyone drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Keep your home cool by opening windows and using fans or air conditioners if you have them. Take cool baths, wear loose clothing, and always carry an umbrella when you go outside," advised Mr. Pulido.
Miss Magsino nodded in agreement, then asked, "Besides the effects of El Niño, are there other natural hazards our citizens should be vigilant about and prepare for? And when can we expect a return to cooler weather conditions?"
"Following El Niño, we need to prepare for La Niña, which can bring stronger typhoons to the Philippine Area of Responsibility. This can cause flooding, particularly in areas previously affected by drought. I urge local governments and barangays to prepare for these disasters. La Niña brings cooler air, so after enduring the heat of El Niño, we can expect cooler weather once La Niña sets in," Mr. Pulido explained.
----------------------------------------
Years later, the glacier’s collapse was long forgotten, remembered only by glaciologists. The last iceberg quietly melted into the ocean, its disappearance briefly mentioned in the news but largely ignored by the public.