Fortunately, the candidates for president in the US are debating whose global policies will best further the common good of humankind. Out of 300 plus million citizens, it's amazing how our best always rise to the top. What a country!
5
So moving and so revealing. Everyone should read this column.
4
Heartbreaking but not even half the story that lies behind reality.
Most of Central and Southern African culture was, for millennia, a culture of nomads.
It is perfectly normal to seek other places to live when times get rough and climate change is as old as the weather so these migrations have been around for millennia as well.
For generations Africans were supported by foreigners, first by colonists then by US and EU aid NGOs.
So Africans learned that help and aid will eventually come from some rich people somewhere.
A concept that is part of local culture as well as the clan will always provide.
So naturally help is expected.
When aid did not come, Africans did what they have done for millennia they went where they assumed help would be.
The US have destroyed quite a bit of post colonial Africa by running wars and most of all by orchestrating the "Arab Spring" destroying among other states Libya and Egypt which were the last resorts of home made help and jobs on the continent.
So the logical result was that Africans now are trying to get into Europe as what they see is a land of rich people where milk and honey flows.
Sad to say this is a media image only, mostly made by TV commercials and soap operas.
And as the US are far away, as always after going to war and destroying local culture and infrastructure, the logical target is a Europe that itself fights for survival.
Europe cannot help 1 bn Africans and the US does not want to.
Sorry Africans you are on your own.
Most of Central and Southern African culture was, for millennia, a culture of nomads.
It is perfectly normal to seek other places to live when times get rough and climate change is as old as the weather so these migrations have been around for millennia as well.
For generations Africans were supported by foreigners, first by colonists then by US and EU aid NGOs.
So Africans learned that help and aid will eventually come from some rich people somewhere.
A concept that is part of local culture as well as the clan will always provide.
So naturally help is expected.
When aid did not come, Africans did what they have done for millennia they went where they assumed help would be.
The US have destroyed quite a bit of post colonial Africa by running wars and most of all by orchestrating the "Arab Spring" destroying among other states Libya and Egypt which were the last resorts of home made help and jobs on the continent.
So the logical result was that Africans now are trying to get into Europe as what they see is a land of rich people where milk and honey flows.
Sad to say this is a media image only, mostly made by TV commercials and soap operas.
And as the US are far away, as always after going to war and destroying local culture and infrastructure, the logical target is a Europe that itself fights for survival.
Europe cannot help 1 bn Africans and the US does not want to.
Sorry Africans you are on your own.
3
As a lecturer in Urban Geography, I was covering just this material in our course the past few weeks. My experiences in rural Senegal (in our case, further south on the Gambian border in the village of a friend and colleague) were fairly similar except for one key distinction: many of the men who left in search of work and remittances were part of a larger set of strategies for families. Often the older, male children went to Dakar, or Spain, or São Paulo for low-wage manual labor or the thin returns (though still better than nothing at home) of informal trade. But they tended to be the ones who came back to eventually settle in the village. Their earnings would accumulate enough for younger siblings (often female) to then remain longer on an education track. The younger ones would typically migrate to urban, mid-level jobs that would provide their families with larger, more stable remittances. But these women often remained in the city.
6
Between 1997 - 2007 I spent months every year documenting the mask entities of the men's spirit society of the Chewa people of Malawi. One of the mask spirits, called Malichi told the story of March, when the year's food harvest would run out, leaving most with nothing to eat but green mangoes; it was the mask of starvation imminent. Over the time of my annual treks to Kachindamoto District, I saw the mask of Malichi renamed to February, then to January and eventually to Decemba.
The renaming and recontextualization of Malichi was a vivid and living representation of the climate changes forced on the Chewa culture and people.
The renaming and recontextualization of Malichi was a vivid and living representation of the climate changes forced on the Chewa culture and people.
5
The consequences of over-population, climate change, water depletion, environment destruction, pollution, rapacious resource exploitation, and inadequate development of social and physical infrastructure is now hitting the tipping point in these regions and will have devastating consequences there and in the developed world. We must remember that we (the west) are primarily responsible for the carbon use that is now impacting the global climate, and our "growth" economic model doesn't provide a long-term solution if it just results in more of the same.
6
The ongoing population boom in Africa is represents a triumph for human life. For most of history human life has not been able to prosper if Africa due to the harsh environmental conditions on this continent. The introduction of modern medical practices in Africa in the last century is mostly to thank for this boom that will continue. Relatively to its size Africa is still much underpopulated.
The fresh and abundant supply of human life into the world from Africa will be a defining moment in the shaping of the post-modern world. This upcoming billion could be seen as an opportunity to rethink what it means to be human, and innovate in the political, technological and economical fields in order to accommodate a bigger global population while improving human condition.
To jump-start the imagination of some people that foresee nothing but doom, I propose the following mental aid: just imagine that this growing population eager to move around in the world was white. The possibilities!!!
The fresh and abundant supply of human life into the world from Africa will be a defining moment in the shaping of the post-modern world. This upcoming billion could be seen as an opportunity to rethink what it means to be human, and innovate in the political, technological and economical fields in order to accommodate a bigger global population while improving human condition.
To jump-start the imagination of some people that foresee nothing but doom, I propose the following mental aid: just imagine that this growing population eager to move around in the world was white. The possibilities!!!
6
"The village’s climate-hammered farmlands can no longer sustain them..."
"Has he ever heard of something called “climate change”? I asked... "... we have seen it with our own eyes..."
To anyone still be on the fence-post over this issue, I remind you – We do not inherit this planet from our ancestors - we borrow it from our children.
Blame the damage on whatever you wish. It makes no difference in a child's eyes. Actions speak louder than words.
"Has he ever heard of something called “climate change”? I asked... "... we have seen it with our own eyes..."
To anyone still be on the fence-post over this issue, I remind you – We do not inherit this planet from our ancestors - we borrow it from our children.
Blame the damage on whatever you wish. It makes no difference in a child's eyes. Actions speak louder than words.
2
Superb column, this makes climate change immediately relevant for entire peoples.
2
Out of Africa, Part II - all the men leave for Europe!
3
I read this after watching yesterday a report from the Republic of Congo on the price of food and everyday goods forced sky-high because the Congo Franc is currently worth.0011 US. The African nations are in crisis. Mr. Friedman, thank you for your important report and commentary. The world's richest resource is its young people, especially those who love their families, like those who risk all to the people smugglers and the desperate voyage for hope. When a river in a small village dries up and there is no water for farming and daily needs we need to fund smart solutions. Dry waterbeds are a very late warning that famine is already looming.
3
Mary E...you are a good person and one to admire for your courage in taking on these global wreckers of havoc.
1
A simple PART of the solution would be to pay the women NOT to have more than one or two children.....overpopulation is the underlying cause of this misery...
21
“and when the U.S. and NATO toppled the Libyan dictator — but did not put troops on the ground to help secure a new order — they essentially uncorked Africa, creating a massive funnel through chaotic Libya to the Mediterranean coast.”
This casual remark by Friedman ignores the fact that this action by USA/NATO was an abuse of a United Nations resolution which provided for a no fly zone ONLY and was agreed to by Russia on that proviso.
It also ignores the fact that this attack on Iraq was illegal under international law.
It also ignores the fact that the USA/NATO do not have the resources to “put troops on the ground”.
If Russia had attacked Libya in this manner no doubt there would be endless analysis by Friedman and his Nomenclature cronies about the precise meaning of the UN Resolution.
It is time to recognize that the USA is creating the massive refugee flows into Europe. In this case climate change is an underlying cause but US action is the proximate cause.
This casual remark by Friedman ignores the fact that this action by USA/NATO was an abuse of a United Nations resolution which provided for a no fly zone ONLY and was agreed to by Russia on that proviso.
It also ignores the fact that this attack on Iraq was illegal under international law.
It also ignores the fact that the USA/NATO do not have the resources to “put troops on the ground”.
If Russia had attacked Libya in this manner no doubt there would be endless analysis by Friedman and his Nomenclature cronies about the precise meaning of the UN Resolution.
It is time to recognize that the USA is creating the massive refugee flows into Europe. In this case climate change is an underlying cause but US action is the proximate cause.
5
What the article didn't consider is how attractive Europe is to a young man newly introduced to the internet. As villages become more and more connected, one begins to wonder ''how ya gonna keep um down on the farm, after they've seen Paris...''.
8
Finally, a Friedman op-ed I wholeheartedly agree with!
(and one where he gets far more right than wrong)
(and one where he gets far more right than wrong)
5
"until about 10 years ago...then the weather got really weird"
That's not global warming, which happens on time scales of 50--100 years. This is a shorter period oscillation, of which there are many. The Sahel (this region) has a history of wet and dry periods of roughly a decade. That's no comfort to the people suffering through a drought, but this is unrelated to long-term climate trends.
That's not global warming, which happens on time scales of 50--100 years. This is a shorter period oscillation, of which there are many. The Sahel (this region) has a history of wet and dry periods of roughly a decade. That's no comfort to the people suffering through a drought, but this is unrelated to long-term climate trends.
6
While in Florence and Rome last September, I saw that vendors under canopies in plazas were apparently Indian or Pakistani. Along the outlying walkways and parks where tourists wandered were African men standing selling cheap toy-like amusements to little success. They were shy to speak with me, but said they were from Senegal. Hardly a way to make money to send home or survive on.
6
Elsewhere in these comments Philip Camaro: "People in .. overpopulated, rapidly growing nations throughout Africa and the Middle East--are agents of their own misery, not just passive victims, as the .. story line suggests."
And then there is the other end of spectrum:
Bruce Rozenblit: "If Americans suffered .. would be a wind turbine on every block, solar panels on every house and the family car would be compact hybrid."
Whether Americans want to build a wall around the country or live out a science fiction fantasy, there seems to be little understanding that no matter how many lines we draw on the map, this is ONE world.
We seem caught in a generation allergic to self-sacrifice with few aspirations to actually help humanity. It may be that the scale of the problem, the vast expanse of humans at risk seems too big, too complicated, and too messy to really help.
We can spend trillions on fantastic war machines, but building schools? investing in critical infrastructure to help our brothers and sisters? That requires fundraising or a rich man's foundation.
We will not totally escape climate change and, regardless of the height of the walls we build, we will not escape the impact of immigration. However we can escape the solipsism and vain despair of our own ignorance by expending our resources, time, and energy on trying to help our Earthly brothers and sisters.
During a natural disaster, you can put a gun or blanket on your neighbor.
Which world will we have?
And then there is the other end of spectrum:
Bruce Rozenblit: "If Americans suffered .. would be a wind turbine on every block, solar panels on every house and the family car would be compact hybrid."
Whether Americans want to build a wall around the country or live out a science fiction fantasy, there seems to be little understanding that no matter how many lines we draw on the map, this is ONE world.
We seem caught in a generation allergic to self-sacrifice with few aspirations to actually help humanity. It may be that the scale of the problem, the vast expanse of humans at risk seems too big, too complicated, and too messy to really help.
We can spend trillions on fantastic war machines, but building schools? investing in critical infrastructure to help our brothers and sisters? That requires fundraising or a rich man's foundation.
We will not totally escape climate change and, regardless of the height of the walls we build, we will not escape the impact of immigration. However we can escape the solipsism and vain despair of our own ignorance by expending our resources, time, and energy on trying to help our Earthly brothers and sisters.
During a natural disaster, you can put a gun or blanket on your neighbor.
Which world will we have?
9
"there are too many mouths to feed from the declining yields."
What we can do: Stop the dogmatic religious groups in the US from controlling birth control - within this country and in their oppressive grip on foreign aid. No US-gov sponsored African program is allowed to teach about + dispense birth control. Ironically, those same groups do not want immigrants here or 'handouts' for the poor. It is the poor who have quadrupled in the last 40 years, not the affluent. Next to sustainable agriculture (solar over burning that last tree) we need population control.
What we can do: Stop the dogmatic religious groups in the US from controlling birth control - within this country and in their oppressive grip on foreign aid. No US-gov sponsored African program is allowed to teach about + dispense birth control. Ironically, those same groups do not want immigrants here or 'handouts' for the poor. It is the poor who have quadrupled in the last 40 years, not the affluent. Next to sustainable agriculture (solar over burning that last tree) we need population control.
20
The author acknowledges that Africans are trying to get to Europe. I was just reading another article which stated that the official American position is that Britain must remain part of the EU. The problem for Britain is that it has become a popular destination for immigrants. With global warming this is likely to increase. Many British people are concerned that the EU has weak border controls and too many immigrants from third world countries are turning up in the UK. For many, Brexit is the only way Britain can regain control of its borders and stem the flood.
10
Based on this op-ed, Friedman has "no clue". Africa has been overpopulated for many years. Now the impact of the gross overpopulation is being felt in Africa and globally. As a participant in the World Health Organization "Onchocerciasis eradication program", we wholeheartedly believed that we were saving lives and making Africa better for the people. In reality, we saved lives that went on to procreate millions if not billions of people. As stated in other comments, Africa's problem is overpopulation. Come to think about it.... if the world was not overpopulated we would not need all the fossil fuels for energy or food production and "climate change" would also not be an issue. Treat the disease and NOT the symptoms!!! Don't wait for war and nature to solve the problem. Promote birth control at every facet of every aid program.
29
Day after day, the stories continue. Still we are stymied at addressing climate change with anything close to the effort that is needed. The irony is that there are ways to begin that would barely be felt by our rich society. One example is the fee and dividend on fossil fuel emissions as proposed by Citizens' Climate Lobby. Economic studies have shown that it would actually stimulate jobs, increase GNP, while reducing emissions by 50% over 20 years.
1
It is terribly sad that the sex drive of the human animal, the desire to have as many children as you can, is the real problem here. It is that instinct that is our problem, the world's problem. Until we somehow limit the number of children to less than one per couple we will simply dig ourselves into the deeper pit of failure when at some time, and that is in the next 50 years or so, most humans will lose. We are now running out of water which will be followed by a significant loss of soil which is needed to grow foods followed by the consequences related to real global warming. We are all on this path to failure as a species and it seems that most of us will continue to desire our sex based interpretations of survival versus that which Mother Nature really controls. This world seems to want to failure and with a majority of humans very poorly educated we certainly cannot win. Sad but true!
22
Tom, you're a Johnny come lately. When I spent time in Senegal 35 years ago the scene was already set. Senghor was travelling to Europe giving speeches about the "advance of the Saheel desert. We need help, money. He was the beloved poet who had just finished his 20-year rule.
Unfortunately, once behind the curtains in Senegal there was a different story. I met a Canadian who was in charge of routing and laying telephone lines from Mali to Dakar. He had seen the aerial photos of the region you visited. They were taken in 1950 then '60 then '70 then '80. Some 60% of the forests had been cut down by 1970. The Saheel was indeed advancing and the country was drying up. Why? It turned out that the marvelous poet had put together a perfectly corrupt government. The forests were levelled, because the wood was worth a fortune in Dakar, but mostly in exports. It was the Amazon story. Climate change is human's doing. The desertification of Africa was an obscure step.
On Independence, much of Africa chose mythic leaders, like Kenya. Their Legends didn't choose some villager from Ndiamaguene to be a Minister. No, the governments were chosen from the few college grads around who learned their lessons from their former "colonial oppressors". They were a corrupt lot and immediately stripped the countries wealth and put it in their own pockets. I also lived in East Africa in the late Sixties, early Seventies. The levels of destruction were immeasurable. Now the chickens are home.
Unfortunately, once behind the curtains in Senegal there was a different story. I met a Canadian who was in charge of routing and laying telephone lines from Mali to Dakar. He had seen the aerial photos of the region you visited. They were taken in 1950 then '60 then '70 then '80. Some 60% of the forests had been cut down by 1970. The Saheel was indeed advancing and the country was drying up. Why? It turned out that the marvelous poet had put together a perfectly corrupt government. The forests were levelled, because the wood was worth a fortune in Dakar, but mostly in exports. It was the Amazon story. Climate change is human's doing. The desertification of Africa was an obscure step.
On Independence, much of Africa chose mythic leaders, like Kenya. Their Legends didn't choose some villager from Ndiamaguene to be a Minister. No, the governments were chosen from the few college grads around who learned their lessons from their former "colonial oppressors". They were a corrupt lot and immediately stripped the countries wealth and put it in their own pockets. I also lived in East Africa in the late Sixties, early Seventies. The levels of destruction were immeasurable. Now the chickens are home.
73
The Canadian Historian, philosopher and writer John Ralston Saul often mentions Thomas Friedman in his lectures on the topics of the collapse of Globalism . He often talks of the failure of memory as the world unfolds and how we fail to understand that things don't just happen.
Many of us were reading the ecologist back in the 70s and many of us understood the malaise Carter was talking about. We understood the misery of Senegal is a direct result of our not willing to put on sweaters and lower the thermostat.
We knew what it meant when Reagan ripped the solar panels from the White House roof. If we listen to Mr Saul we know the history of Western Civilizations back to ancient Greece and how they all end with their Reagans. Each in turn understanding that their society was the ultimate in human evolution and nothing bad could happen if they just continued doing what they did that made them great.
It is 2016 and the United States of America clings to a 18th century constitution that has been so distorted for political purposes that one is not even allowed to consult the Samuel Johnson 18th century dictionary of the English language to ascertain its meaning. We need lawyers and constitutional scholars to interpret plain English.
We created the expanding desserts and we knew we were doing it . We know how to solve the problems we created but that would mean changing our economy which is far more important than human life.
After all humanity exists to feed our machine.
Many of us were reading the ecologist back in the 70s and many of us understood the malaise Carter was talking about. We understood the misery of Senegal is a direct result of our not willing to put on sweaters and lower the thermostat.
We knew what it meant when Reagan ripped the solar panels from the White House roof. If we listen to Mr Saul we know the history of Western Civilizations back to ancient Greece and how they all end with their Reagans. Each in turn understanding that their society was the ultimate in human evolution and nothing bad could happen if they just continued doing what they did that made them great.
It is 2016 and the United States of America clings to a 18th century constitution that has been so distorted for political purposes that one is not even allowed to consult the Samuel Johnson 18th century dictionary of the English language to ascertain its meaning. We need lawyers and constitutional scholars to interpret plain English.
We created the expanding desserts and we knew we were doing it . We know how to solve the problems we created but that would mean changing our economy which is far more important than human life.
After all humanity exists to feed our machine.
6
Thank you Tom Friedman for your excellent work here. There is an international disaster brewing caused by a population explosion, exacerbated by climate change, and the population explosion definitely makes the climate change problem worse.
The wealthy countries can either sit out the population growth crisis, or intervene. Over history, the population explosions in places like China, when combined with drought, often led to civil war and massive starvation and cannibalism. Europe had wars and plagues. We could chose these traditional solutions today, but for the first time, the suffering would be broadcast on television, and we would have to watch it or turn it off. Also, we have the knowledge and means to find a more humane solution.
An intervention by the United Nations or its proxy would have to focus on an exchange. The haves would supply sustenance in exchange for either family planning or sterilization. The world population just went from 2 to 7 billion in a hundred years.
Family planning might include IUD’s for every woman, but like the mosquito nets in Kenya, the baubles might be diverted to other purposes, like necklace decorations. Enforced family planning or sterilization are not pleasant ideas, but following the massive suffering and killing in the evening news, while our own climate keeps changing for the worse, will have its own drawbacks. Seven billion humans are causing the sixth extinction.
David blogs at InconvenientNews.wordpress.com
The wealthy countries can either sit out the population growth crisis, or intervene. Over history, the population explosions in places like China, when combined with drought, often led to civil war and massive starvation and cannibalism. Europe had wars and plagues. We could chose these traditional solutions today, but for the first time, the suffering would be broadcast on television, and we would have to watch it or turn it off. Also, we have the knowledge and means to find a more humane solution.
An intervention by the United Nations or its proxy would have to focus on an exchange. The haves would supply sustenance in exchange for either family planning or sterilization. The world population just went from 2 to 7 billion in a hundred years.
Family planning might include IUD’s for every woman, but like the mosquito nets in Kenya, the baubles might be diverted to other purposes, like necklace decorations. Enforced family planning or sterilization are not pleasant ideas, but following the massive suffering and killing in the evening news, while our own climate keeps changing for the worse, will have its own drawbacks. Seven billion humans are causing the sixth extinction.
David blogs at InconvenientNews.wordpress.com
7
@David,
Population control, absolutely. But I disagree with always only targeting the women. The most simple method is sterilization for men; a smaller procedure than for women. And let's encourage the men by paying them well to have it done.
Population control, absolutely. But I disagree with always only targeting the women. The most simple method is sterilization for men; a smaller procedure than for women. And let's encourage the men by paying them well to have it done.
10
Africa is hopeless. It would be better for all concerned for the U.N. To put it back into Trusteeship.
4
In the early 1980s, I was a Peace Corps Volunteer living in a village not far from Ndiamaguene. Even that long ago, people were keenly aware that conditions were becoming hotter and drier, and already struggling to grow enough crops to feed themselves. Yet, despite their frightening circumstances and growing poverty, they were among the most open-hearted and generous people I have ever known. In the last few years, Senegal has been leading a multinational effort to plant a “Great Green Wall” west to east across Africa to stop the advance of the Sahara’s southward movement. This effort involves many rural Africans hand-planting and caring for a broad greenbelt composed of millions of acacia trees (see http://pulitzercenter.org/reporting/senegal-great-green-wall-trees-clima.... Knowing of their committed effort, and recognizing that we ordinary Americans are falling far, far short in addressing our own enormous contribution to climate change, I found the courage last spring to join the “kayaktivist” blockade of Shell’s Arctic drilling rig here in Seattle, and continue to be involved in follow-on efforts. I hope that you, too, will think of these gentle people, and how the choices we Americans make can lead either to a better future for them, or to a nightmare.
10
It is not the lack of rainfall or raising temperatures that creates misery in Africa but rather the Catholic Church (only natural birth control) and improvement of medical facilities (Bill Gates, et all). It is scary that Africa (from Johannesburg to Libya) when in trouble is looking for the Western World for rescue. That, sooner rather than later, will turn out to be impossible.
9
Another set of facts and an insightful person - Thomas Friedman - reports that radical Islamist groups simply buy mercenaries from the starving. Gosh, we in the West have the money to do the buying.
1
National Geographic is filming a documentary about the connection between climate change and mass migration, we are told, but there is good reason to think the current migration would be happening even without climate change, simply due to overpopulaton.
Friedman reports that "42 percent of Senegal’s population is under 14 years old." Its population has doubled in the past 25 years, and is set to double again in the next 25 to 30.
People in Senegal--and other overpopulated, rapidly growing nations throughout Africa and the Middle East--are agents of their own misery, not just passive victims, as the "climate-driven migration" story line suggests.
Friedman reports that "42 percent of Senegal’s population is under 14 years old." Its population has doubled in the past 25 years, and is set to double again in the next 25 to 30.
People in Senegal--and other overpopulated, rapidly growing nations throughout Africa and the Middle East--are agents of their own misery, not just passive victims, as the "climate-driven migration" story line suggests.
26
This is a great piece. I lived in a rural area in a sub-Saharan African country for several years and witnessed the same thing. The only difference was that the young men went to South Africa rather than Europe. In my area, there was no hard evidence that climate patterns had been altered substantially (although I have little doubt that climate change will be a very serious problem in the area in the coming decades). Rather, the problem was a mixture of overpopulation and inefficient farming practices--a fairly large family might have to support itself on an acre or two of land, and they would get crop yields 5 or 6 times less than a comparable farm in the U.S. The national government tried to improve crop yields by subsidizing fertilizer for small-time farmers. This has worked to some extent, but people have mis-used the fertilizer (mainly through overuse), damaging the soil and creating run-off problems in the main bodies of water. I don't know what the solution is. People there were optimistic about the future (largely, I think, because the AIDS epidemic had been brought somewhat under control and because cell phones were finally making their way into the villages). But I was (and remain) very pessimistic about their future.
9
If all the young men are gone, why are there so many children? Do older males control all the women? Do the younger males impregnate one or more women, then leave? What's the social dynamic dynamic there?
11
Unfortunately, much like the beginning of the disintegration of the Roman Empire, this is a case of societal competition, in which is inherently zero sum for the participants. Europe is being comparatively nice by simply locking its doors out of necessity; or if its not, will soon realize that it must do so immediately. As opposed to the Moors, who unceremoniously dumped some troublesome migrants deep in the Sahara desert, or the Iranians, who use a different type of refugee as cannon fodder for their regular conflicts with those same Arabs on the killing fields; in other words, fully embraced total disregard for the life of outsiders.
5
Small-scale subsistence agriculture has been losing out for generations to large-scale capital-driven agriculture. That shift isn't what (primarily) causes climate change, but it does explain why crises like the one Friedman describes here are easy for the world to ignore. Threaten people's lives and their ways of life--yawn. Threaten capital--send the troops in.
4
Soil Biology is our only way to rapidly and massively draw down CO2 from the air to offset our ongoing and past carbon emissions, It Can safely and naturally restore the hydrological cycles by increasing biogenic aerosols and cloud albedo that can readily cool the planet by the 3 watts/m2 needed to offset the now locked in greenhouse warming effects and avoid the Storms of Our Grandchildren.
The French have lead the way recognizing Soil Carbons' value and committing to build Soil Carbon by 0.40% annually.
A combination of Best Management Practices, (BMPs), for Agriculture, Grazing & Forestry with bioenergy systems which build soil carbon can deliver the giga-tons of carbon necessary into the soil sink bank.
Biochar systems have so many market applications yet to be cultivated; "Carbon Fodder" feeds for Livestock in the EU, Australia & Japan, Plant Chemical Communications, (plant signaling), even Char building materials such as Biochar-Plasters which block Cellphone signals, the potential markets are massive.
.
2014 SSSA Presentation;
Agricultural Geo-Engineering; Past, Present & Future.
https://www.soils.org/files/am/ecosystems/kinght.pdf
The French have lead the way recognizing Soil Carbons' value and committing to build Soil Carbon by 0.40% annually.
A combination of Best Management Practices, (BMPs), for Agriculture, Grazing & Forestry with bioenergy systems which build soil carbon can deliver the giga-tons of carbon necessary into the soil sink bank.
Biochar systems have so many market applications yet to be cultivated; "Carbon Fodder" feeds for Livestock in the EU, Australia & Japan, Plant Chemical Communications, (plant signaling), even Char building materials such as Biochar-Plasters which block Cellphone signals, the potential markets are massive.
.
2014 SSSA Presentation;
Agricultural Geo-Engineering; Past, Present & Future.
https://www.soils.org/files/am/ecosystems/kinght.pdf
2
Thank you, Mr. Friedman, for your clear-sighted and sensitive reporting on your trip to Africa. If only more people cared about the fate of Africa and its people!
2
The comments here in support of Mr. Friedman's article are concerning. This article is a disservice to understanding. It is neo-Malthusianism wrapped inside anti-refugee politics with a light sprinkle of securitization rhetoric on top. Don't get me wrong: climate change is real. It affects people profoundly. Absolutely. But people shouldn't be guiled by Mr. Friedman's alarmism. "Immigration flood." Libya as "uncorking Africa." Africa as a threat to the "future of Europe." This is the worst...
1
I think we're deluding ourselves if we think there is going to be some nice, civilized solution to this problem.
6
What a desperate situation, when a community cannot feed its own people, when water becomes scarce. with occasional torrential rains, not amenable to sustain crops for survival. Forced migration, its result. Climate Change has a lot to do, accelerated by our polluting Earth with carbon, especially by industrialized countries a world away from Ndiamaguene, Senegal. In strict justice, it behooves us all to contribute to help solve the desperate predicament of these folks, our distant brothers and sisters, and cousins. This village, small as it is, could be transplanted to the U.S. (given that Europe had its fill) in its entirety if we were more 'generous' and not raising the lame excuse of importing terrorists. Obviously, we must think 'locally', so people attached to their land and culture need no transplantation to foreign lands, stay put instead, provided we can 'will' ourselves to help make things livable again, and on their terms. This is not only the right thing to do, it is vital for our own security, as religious fanatic extremists may exploit a vacuum we ought to fill.
2
Maybe Friedman could go to some coal towns in the US and look at the devastation caused by irrational policies based on false prophesies? The economic violence to Americans he advocates should be documented. I'm quite sure coal workers are only the beginning, who will be targeted next for economic violence based on those same false prophesies?
Oh and by the way Friedman, the South African drought is largely the result of El Nino.
Oh and by the way Friedman, the South African drought is largely the result of El Nino.
3
Friedman offers us two alternatives: solve the economic problems of African countries or face a deluge of migrants. America's position is (or should be) simple: we help our western allies deal with the situation in whatever way they deem best for themselves. If they want to admit migrants, we can contribute something to that effort. If they want to secure their borders, we can help with that. What we should NOT do is tell our allies what choice they should make for the future of their own countries.
4
Hurrah for Thomas Friedman. Once again he not only is incisive in his analysis, but shows the rare commitment of going WAY out in the field to understand the issues he is writing about. Kudos to him and for those who support his investigative reporting and clarity of expression.
1
The trouble here is clearly capital and better institutions. Those villagers are not only victims of climate change, like in many parts of Africa they are victims of education deficit and shortage of skills and technology to be productive in times of challenging climate.
We should put some effort on diminishing climate change impact on people's lives but we must put even more effort on helping poor people get proper governance and opportunities. Poor Senegalese farmers like those in hinterland Angola, where I'm from, need training, infrastructures, fertilizers, capital and equipment to produce, they're doomed trying to grow crops like they did four decades ago.
We should put some effort on diminishing climate change impact on people's lives but we must put even more effort on helping poor people get proper governance and opportunities. Poor Senegalese farmers like those in hinterland Angola, where I'm from, need training, infrastructures, fertilizers, capital and equipment to produce, they're doomed trying to grow crops like they did four decades ago.
13
The population of the Eurasian landmass is 4.6 billion (of which, Europe's is about 750 million.) The population of Africa is 1.1 billion. The carbon footprint of the average African is a fraction of both Europe's and Asia's. Just facts.
1
55 years ago, in college, I wrote a paper: The Social Implications of Labor Migrations in sub-Saharan Africa. Throughout, young and middle-aged men, and women, were massing into the cities where there were jobs and it was altogether more interesting than living in villages. They were sending or bringing money home. For young women, instead of hoeing in fields or selling manioc in a market for a few francs, they were in great demand. 40 years ago HIV-Aids researchers visited villages, noting that they were deficient in young and middle-aged men and women, while there were older people attending children, and incorrectly concluded that AIDS had decimated sexually active. Climate change may be an additional factor, but dramatic conclusions based on a visit to this village, out of context, is substantially misleading.
13
And people are actually listening to this guy on issues in Africa!?!
13
Rarely now do I attend a gathering where at some point the conversation turns to comments on the weather, how either cold or hot it is. Yet, rarely, especially in Republican gathering does anyone connect the dots---that maybe, just maybe, that SUV parked in your driveway could be killing all of us.
7
We need to get a stable government in LIbya to act like the Cork for African migration that it did under Ghaddafi. We didn't realize how lucky we were to have Ghaddafi to stop EU being flooded with unwanted migrants. We need to hope the stable government in LIbya will be strong enough to resume being the cork to stop African migration to the EU.
Also we need to be doing something about overpopulation. The NGOs and missionaries that go to Africa should be talking birth control above all else.
Also we need to be doing something about overpopulation. The NGOs and missionaries that go to Africa should be talking birth control above all else.
13
As they article stated the African villagers see children as a hedge against old age. To them, Its not overpopulation, but rather like paying into a retirement account.
But what about growth of GDP, isn't that all that matters.
1
There are two main subjects in the comments:
The first is the role of climate change in creating the conditions that Friedman describes. Although many commenters point to the absence of action on climate change, not a one names the available technologies that the US could now use to take at least a few steps in the right direction. When they are named in rare comments no readers seem interested. Summary: The US will fail to come close to meeting greenhouse gas emission goals.
The second is population control. Many lament but no one stops to consider the Chinese One Child experiment that is seen quite widely as a failure. And in countries where the fertility rate has fallen below replacement level, this is seen as creating critical problems for each such country.
Conclusion: Friedman and the Times need to couple articles such as this to articles about US energy-policy failure and the inevitable costs of bringing fertility below replacement level.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
The first is the role of climate change in creating the conditions that Friedman describes. Although many commenters point to the absence of action on climate change, not a one names the available technologies that the US could now use to take at least a few steps in the right direction. When they are named in rare comments no readers seem interested. Summary: The US will fail to come close to meeting greenhouse gas emission goals.
The second is population control. Many lament but no one stops to consider the Chinese One Child experiment that is seen quite widely as a failure. And in countries where the fertility rate has fallen below replacement level, this is seen as creating critical problems for each such country.
Conclusion: Friedman and the Times need to couple articles such as this to articles about US energy-policy failure and the inevitable costs of bringing fertility below replacement level.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
4
Multiple children is viewed as protection when you become elderly. They don't see it as population explosion.
1
@ poor richard - thanks for replying. I am well aware of that basic point of view. Interestingly my Swedish great grandmother gave birth to at least 8 or 9 children after coming to American and my Swedish grandmother on the other side had 8 or so. So it is not only Africans who had lots of kids. But those multiple children have to be fed and, hopefully, educated so the large-scale problem remains.
1
Runaway population grown together with Climate Change is a recipe for disaster.
Aren't we glad that religious conservatives of faiths are united in their belief that humans must continue to breed faster than rabbits and that Republicans assure us that Climate Change is a hoax?
We live in interesting times.
Aren't we glad that religious conservatives of faiths are united in their belief that humans must continue to breed faster than rabbits and that Republicans assure us that Climate Change is a hoax?
We live in interesting times.
15
Very astute on the stupidities of the conservatives.
Too bad the liberals have their own set of stupidities (and this comment likely won't be approved),
They include: there is no such thing as race, even in broad definition. But! Just in case races do exist, they're all identical in every way. Any differences are caused by evil white prople.
I don't fit anywhere. Believing in climate change is now a conservative heresy.
The beliefs on races are now a liberal heresy,
Outlook: VERY BLEAK.
Too bad the liberals have their own set of stupidities (and this comment likely won't be approved),
They include: there is no such thing as race, even in broad definition. But! Just in case races do exist, they're all identical in every way. Any differences are caused by evil white prople.
I don't fit anywhere. Believing in climate change is now a conservative heresy.
The beliefs on races are now a liberal heresy,
Outlook: VERY BLEAK.
There was an op-ed in yesterday’s paper about the looming crisis over our inability to predict the impacts of climate change, and therefore our inability to adapt to it (“A New Dark Age Looms” http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/19/opinion/a-new-dark-age-looms.html). It describes how local environmental knowledge (“wisdom”) has become obsolete or irrelevant.
The realities of life in West Africa, as described here by Mr. Friedman, seems to corroborate this quite well; however, it demonstrates that the crisis isn’t “looming”, it’s already here.
Humanity is on a crash course with the laws of physics. Hot, flat, and crowded indeed.
The realities of life in West Africa, as described here by Mr. Friedman, seems to corroborate this quite well; however, it demonstrates that the crisis isn’t “looming”, it’s already here.
Humanity is on a crash course with the laws of physics. Hot, flat, and crowded indeed.
10
Excellent article, but did not the awareness of the effects of desertification begin to build in the 1970's, so what is really new here?Populations, not only in west Africa, but elsewhere,,for decades have been fleeing the countryside for the big cities, and in'challa for a means of reaching Europe. Was in Agadez, a jumping off place for the Mediterranean and then for Europe, and saw trucks full of migrants ready to undertake the dangerous trek. When I worked in Ziguinchor, escape, a "porte de sortie," was all the locals talked about.When u r 21, with a baccalaureat and r reduced to selling shoelaces or batteries as a sidewalk vendor for a few c.f.a. a day,you will do anything to improve your situation..So, u have two migrations happening simultaneously: a rural exodus to cities in Africa and a migration by those with the means to pay, to Europe and a better life. Surprised that TF does not include a personal note in his essay informing us that he has decided to sponsor a family or even a stray, a 4 legged creature to the US from the village in northern Senegal whence he reported. If you can't solve a global problem,desertification, you, Mr. Friedman, have the means to offer a surcease from sorrow for an inhabitant and his family, and also perhaps for one of the starving village dogs by bringing them to the US.Get involved and show us you care, not just as a well paid "journo,"but as a human being imbued with altruism, a concern for others.
3
This is desertification and is occurring all over the world. We know how to reverse it and restore fertility and water to the land. Holistic management of cattle starts the process. The Africa Centre for Holistic Management has been teaching the methods for years. Many farmers, such as Gabe Brown in North Dakota, are experts as well. This knowledge needs to be much more widely known. Not only is fertility restored but carbon is sequestered in the soil where it belongs, reversing climate change.
2
There are two observations that occur to me regarding Mr. Friedman's two articles, and the resulting comments:
First, a large number of commenters note with dismay the number of children being born in the abjectly poor areas of sub-Saharan Africa, and many suggest fairly drastic curtailment of the practice of large families in the face of the economic circumstances. My observation is that it is economically wealthy nations, or systematically-oppressive ones, that engage in population control in a scale sufficient to address the problems discussed here. Sub-Saharan Africa nations are neither wealthy, nor do their governments possess the power to enforce population control.
The second observation is based on Mr. Friedman's assertion that "This is creating more and more tempting recruiting targets for jihadist groups like Boko Haram, which can offer a few hundred dollars a month." Do some math, and this is staggering - if Boko Haram recruits 10,000 people to fight or work for them, paying them $300/month, that's $36,000,000! Where is the money coming from? How big is Boko Haram?
The problems, and the obstacles to solving them, are many, and they are depressingly complicated. But isn't it interesting that the core problem is one we can all relate to - heads of households are willing to work hard to take care of their loved ones, and are simply seeking the opportunity?
First, a large number of commenters note with dismay the number of children being born in the abjectly poor areas of sub-Saharan Africa, and many suggest fairly drastic curtailment of the practice of large families in the face of the economic circumstances. My observation is that it is economically wealthy nations, or systematically-oppressive ones, that engage in population control in a scale sufficient to address the problems discussed here. Sub-Saharan Africa nations are neither wealthy, nor do their governments possess the power to enforce population control.
The second observation is based on Mr. Friedman's assertion that "This is creating more and more tempting recruiting targets for jihadist groups like Boko Haram, which can offer a few hundred dollars a month." Do some math, and this is staggering - if Boko Haram recruits 10,000 people to fight or work for them, paying them $300/month, that's $36,000,000! Where is the money coming from? How big is Boko Haram?
The problems, and the obstacles to solving them, are many, and they are depressingly complicated. But isn't it interesting that the core problem is one we can all relate to - heads of households are willing to work hard to take care of their loved ones, and are simply seeking the opportunity?
22
Migration has always been propelled by economics. America received a huge number of immigrants from Ireland during the 19th century because economic (agricultural) problems there forced many to emigrate. The burgeoning American economy at that time, with so many jobs that required nothing but a willingness to do hard (and sometimes dangerous) menial labor, was well positioned to receive them. That isn't so today, however. Our economy, and that of most countries in Europe, no longer has a big, unsatisfied need for unskilled labor. Even if we were to admit a percentage of these African migrants that is in proportion to our population, what would they do here? In the 19th century, Irish immigrants forced off the land in their own country became miners, factory workers, construction workers and domestic workers. What are today's unskilled immigrants to do in a country that has more unskilled workers than it needs?
5
Climate change is reality - technology is the only savior. Climate change changes weather pattern and rainfall and we will be stupid if we do not change our agriculture process and water harvesting technique. I read reports from India, where one county harvested rain water and maintain water level in the ground and the agriculture is protected, where as the neighboring county did not harvest rain water, lost their crops in drought and now receives water by train to save their life. Time has come, governments extensively use technology to harvest water and help farmers to change their crop selection and planting methods. If we can stabilize the village at the core, migration problem will disappear - building walls or putting boarder guards will not solve this problem. Western countries should send their technical experts to address this challenge. I thank Friedman to bring this situation to front page of NYT.
8
We may have already reached the tipping point with climate change. At the end of the article you suggest that we help them fix their gardens or they will continue to leave their homelands. This is something we may not be able to do. Climate change is affecting the entire planet at the same time. I think of those abandoned native American villages in the western US where there is speculation that they left due to a climate event. We are in the middle of another great migration and so very few of us are thinking about it on a daily basis.
9
Jared Diamond's book, Collapse, tells a very sobering story of what happens to groups who are caught in climate change, or who precipitate over-use of resources. He, however, focused on relatively limited areas and groups with largely historical meaning. Now we are finding that our collective ignorance, greed, and success are imperiling the entire globe and we do not yet have the skill or will to avert this onrushing catastrophe. All of us and our children will end having to cope in unpredictably varied and terrible ways. Our current prophets are those like Friedman who insist in putting pieces of this in our faces. We cannot afford to look away and deny.
1
Thank you for your thoughtful columns, Mr. Friedman. Often, I have a difficult time wrapping my mind around all the implications of past, current and future human mass migrations caused by famine, war, disease and climate change, and reading your work helps me to put global issues into perspective.
5
And the Catholic Church opposes birth control...
31
Another counterproductive contributor to overpopulation in Africa are the American evangelical missions that spread religious beliefs demonizing contraception and family planning. Republican Senator Inhofe of Oklahoma is a major patron of this movement.
It is time for us to face this uncomfortable fact. Religious zealots in the United States are working to undermine common sense here and abroad.
It is time for us to face this uncomfortable fact. Religious zealots in the United States are working to undermine common sense here and abroad.
74
Agreed. Perhaps Inhofe should invite these migrants to Oklahoma.
2
What I am also interpreting is that major companies from industrialized nations pollute, which brings on global warming, forcing farmers out of fields and perhaps into the waiting arms of these major corporations that need inexpensive labor. Terrorism and unstable governments are getting in the way of the next great labor source.
2
And so it begins!
The displacement of humans may start at the bottom, but ultimately that in itself is likely to pull the rug out from under those at the top.
Nature likes balance, and over the longer term will have it's way. We should get with the program.
The displacement of humans may start at the bottom, but ultimately that in itself is likely to pull the rug out from under those at the top.
Nature likes balance, and over the longer term will have it's way. We should get with the program.
4
Yes of course, climate change. Because droughts and displacement never happened before CO2 emissions did they?
5
Climate change deniers have to be voted out of office in the United States to put America on the road to doing something about the problem.
6
"42 percent of Senegal’s population is under 14 years old..." This is the same story all over the continent. Population growth in African countries - north and south - is still out of control and unsustainable. And there are such splendid role models like Zuma in South Africa, with his three wives and over 20 children. It's time to stop blaming other parts of the world for Africa's woes. African leaders, despots, and governments invite foreigners in to extract the mineral wealth so that they can in turn line their pockets, those of the families, their cronies, etc, etc, etc.
When are world leaders and "thinkers" going to publicly admit that population growth and the massive youth bulge in so many resource scarce and impoverished countries are the most serious issues today and in the foreseeable future? When will economists finally recognize that more and more people does not necessarily translate into a productive labor market and growth, but rather, social, economic, and environmental turmoil?
When are world leaders and "thinkers" going to publicly admit that population growth and the massive youth bulge in so many resource scarce and impoverished countries are the most serious issues today and in the foreseeable future? When will economists finally recognize that more and more people does not necessarily translate into a productive labor market and growth, but rather, social, economic, and environmental turmoil?
44
Whenever people recognize that their children are not likely to survive infancy and be able to participate in the family economy, they produce more children as insurance. Where education levels for women are low and they have no chance of contributing income, they have little choice but to contribute babies. These are not decisions made by world leaders and academic economists.
2
What you point to is only part of the problem. And it's the rationale that's been cited for over 40 years or longer. "Leaders" most certainly DO contribute to this by example (ala Zuma and his ilk) and by the corruption and poor governance that's endemic to most lower income countries around the globe. And if I had a dime for every time an economist has downplayed seemingly unsustainable population growth with the argument "all things being equal, more people equals greater employment, production, and GDP..." I would be a wealthy person.
That said, and having lived in some of the places that have been called the worst places to be female, I completely agree with you that women's access to civil/human rights, education, employment, and justice is arguably the key issue.
That said, and having lived in some of the places that have been called the worst places to be female, I completely agree with you that women's access to civil/human rights, education, employment, and justice is arguably the key issue.
4
The witches brew of climate change, overpopulation, poverty, hopelessness and zealotry is potent. Individually these problems may have rational measures that can be taken to combat them. Together they appear insurmountable.
I fear for my grandchildren.
I fear for my grandchildren.
6
Me, for my little boy...
2
What is happening in Senegal is a harbinger of things to come. Climate change disproportionally affects the land. The areas most strongly affected so far, have been some of the poorest and politically unstable parts of the world, primarily south central Asia and Africa. Guess where ISIS and al Qaeda thrive?
Poverty, despair, hopelessness, hunger and thirst rip stable societies apart. They push marginal societies to embrace radicalism. They force people to leave their beloved homes in search of money and food.
If Americans suffered 10% as much as these people there would be a wind turbine on every block, solar panels on every house and the family car would be compact hybrid.
But no. Climate change is a hoax. It's not happening. It's just the weather. We can't do anything about it. It's too expensive to change our ways. Coal miners will lose their jobs. I wont get reelected.
Then when the rest of the world falls apart, we respond with bombs. There is always money for more bombs but never money for battery research, and renewable energy. We must shrink government but keep dropping more bombs.
Their problems are our problems. We all live in the same place. We are all vulnerable. When we we recognize how vulnerable we truly are.
Poverty, despair, hopelessness, hunger and thirst rip stable societies apart. They push marginal societies to embrace radicalism. They force people to leave their beloved homes in search of money and food.
If Americans suffered 10% as much as these people there would be a wind turbine on every block, solar panels on every house and the family car would be compact hybrid.
But no. Climate change is a hoax. It's not happening. It's just the weather. We can't do anything about it. It's too expensive to change our ways. Coal miners will lose their jobs. I wont get reelected.
Then when the rest of the world falls apart, we respond with bombs. There is always money for more bombs but never money for battery research, and renewable energy. We must shrink government but keep dropping more bombs.
Their problems are our problems. We all live in the same place. We are all vulnerable. When we we recognize how vulnerable we truly are.
106
“Poverty, despair, hopelessness, hunger and thirst rip stable societies apart. They push marginal societies to embrace radicalism.”
---------
These conditions may exacerbate “radicalism”, but the root cause of it is still an ideology that can fester in the mind of anyone, rich and poor, East and West, educated and not.
It's why ISIS and other Islamist terrorist groups can attract rich, highly-educated, well-adjusted and well-fed men and women from Europe, North America and Australia. Their ranks have included everyone from computer science graduates from London, technicians from California, engineers and doctors from Germany or PhDs in Islamic Studies from the Middle East.
Ideology is what matters. Poverty and marginalization (either real or perceived) do not drive people to slaughtering cartoonists, decapitating journalists, or killing innocent people in cafes, airports, and rock concerts.
So let’s be clear: climate change may play a part in radicalism, but apparently so does a peaceful community, education and money. The common denominator isn’t “poverty, despair, hopelessness, hunger” – the common denominator is ideology.
---------
These conditions may exacerbate “radicalism”, but the root cause of it is still an ideology that can fester in the mind of anyone, rich and poor, East and West, educated and not.
It's why ISIS and other Islamist terrorist groups can attract rich, highly-educated, well-adjusted and well-fed men and women from Europe, North America and Australia. Their ranks have included everyone from computer science graduates from London, technicians from California, engineers and doctors from Germany or PhDs in Islamic Studies from the Middle East.
Ideology is what matters. Poverty and marginalization (either real or perceived) do not drive people to slaughtering cartoonists, decapitating journalists, or killing innocent people in cafes, airports, and rock concerts.
So let’s be clear: climate change may play a part in radicalism, but apparently so does a peaceful community, education and money. The common denominator isn’t “poverty, despair, hopelessness, hunger” – the common denominator is ideology.
9
Wind, solar and hybrids will not solve the major problem which is lack of water. Soon oil shortages will amount to nothing; it is water that sustains life on this earth. How will we help these people to grow gardens? Bring back Elmer Gantry? How will we feed this growing population and stop the browning of the soil? Soon we will have more people living than have died in all human history and our garden plots are turning into desert. Unfortunately for these poor people Europe can not provide for them. I do not see a bright future for the human species.
3
It's all a lie. Global warming's a lie. Overpopulation's a lie. Poverty's a lie. Africa's a lie (except for the part about Obama). Life is good if you just believe in Jesus.-
Grim Old Party
Grim Old Party
74
I've been to places on three continents where the very last gravel extension of road ends at a float plane, helicopter, tiny dirt airstrip, or a cross country motor scooter ride.
In each place, when you finally get there, the people were really nice. That far out into the back of beyond, people are glad to see you. They're sort of lonely in their isolation, even if they like it there. Kindness will be returned many fold.
Friedman's description of them rings true. I wish he'd made clear that the recent numbers of the flood, in the millions, are not from these isolated people. Yes, they are going too, driven out by climate change, but there just are not the millions of them we see drowning in the sea trying to get to Europe. They don't even have the money to try that anyway.
Friedman displays here a real problem, the face of climate change hitting the most vulnerable. However, he generalizes that to be the problem of immigrants flooding out. That's wrong. Those millions are driven from the wars. To stop those, we would have to stop the wars. Stop the neocons like Friedman.
For these running from climate change, there is no stopping them now. Those gardens can't be fixed. Climate change is here. The rain isn't coming back to those places. It's over.
In each place, when you finally get there, the people were really nice. That far out into the back of beyond, people are glad to see you. They're sort of lonely in their isolation, even if they like it there. Kindness will be returned many fold.
Friedman's description of them rings true. I wish he'd made clear that the recent numbers of the flood, in the millions, are not from these isolated people. Yes, they are going too, driven out by climate change, but there just are not the millions of them we see drowning in the sea trying to get to Europe. They don't even have the money to try that anyway.
Friedman displays here a real problem, the face of climate change hitting the most vulnerable. However, he generalizes that to be the problem of immigrants flooding out. That's wrong. Those millions are driven from the wars. To stop those, we would have to stop the wars. Stop the neocons like Friedman.
For these running from climate change, there is no stopping them now. Those gardens can't be fixed. Climate change is here. The rain isn't coming back to those places. It's over.
14
@ Mark Thomason - Yes, I have noticed that Friedman is not at all careful in seemingly conflating what we see here in Sweden - asylum seekers fleeing war - with Africans fleeing drought within Africa.
So there are two separate problems:
Wars + Daesh problem that seems almost undiminished
Climate problem for which the US does not have a policy to match the need.
It's over. Things are going to get much worse.
Larry
So there are two separate problems:
Wars + Daesh problem that seems almost undiminished
Climate problem for which the US does not have a policy to match the need.
It's over. Things are going to get much worse.
Larry
2
Larry, we have not faced what must be done. We talk about carbon, as if that needed work will solve everything. CO2 is a real problem, but the focus tends to keep us from thinking about any of the rest of what will need to be done.
Our fondest hopes for CO2 reductions would only ameliorate conditions, not least because our hopes are for a 2 degree C (near 4 degree F) rise in average temps, which averages little in some places with a lot more in others. And we are not even meeting that hope.
We will need to move agriculture to places where it will grow. We need to find other uses for the places we can no longer use as we did. Perhaps that means low intensity grassland and grazing where we once harvested crops.
We will need to consider serious geo-engineering. My favorite is a project to create an inland sea to bring moisture to the Sahara. There is a depression which could be filled by a canal not much different from the Suez Canal. I am told of all sorts of problems with that idea, but problems can be solved, and if not that then something else on similar scale will be needed.
Doing nothing more than carbon talk is not really an option, it is avoiding all the things that are harder, and we fail at even that.
We already see the beginning of the price. That will get worse.
Our fondest hopes for CO2 reductions would only ameliorate conditions, not least because our hopes are for a 2 degree C (near 4 degree F) rise in average temps, which averages little in some places with a lot more in others. And we are not even meeting that hope.
We will need to move agriculture to places where it will grow. We need to find other uses for the places we can no longer use as we did. Perhaps that means low intensity grassland and grazing where we once harvested crops.
We will need to consider serious geo-engineering. My favorite is a project to create an inland sea to bring moisture to the Sahara. There is a depression which could be filled by a canal not much different from the Suez Canal. I am told of all sorts of problems with that idea, but problems can be solved, and if not that then something else on similar scale will be needed.
Doing nothing more than carbon talk is not really an option, it is avoiding all the things that are harder, and we fail at even that.
We already see the beginning of the price. That will get worse.
Mark, I agree but where are the people who will think that way, act that way, and make policy? Perhaps, the way will be via foundations like those the Gateses and others.
1
Until impacts like the one Mr. Friedman describes come to America, the climate change deniers will continue to rack up Republican votes while despoiling what is left of our future.
While not wishing bad on anyone, we need a fiercer drought in the middle of our own country to wake up those who believe that the planet is actually cooling and that college professors and climate scientists are using this hoax to get rich. The day can't come too soon when they realize that it's the Koch brothers who are using a hoax to get rich.
While not wishing bad on anyone, we need a fiercer drought in the middle of our own country to wake up those who believe that the planet is actually cooling and that college professors and climate scientists are using this hoax to get rich. The day can't come too soon when they realize that it's the Koch brothers who are using a hoax to get rich.
16
The article and the comments (5 posted, at the time I write this) together demonstrate the depth of our ignorance about the biology of the human mind (as distinct from the brain) and the drivers of social behavior.
We focus on technology and molecules, but avoid research on our own minds, implicitly treating these as immutable, incomprehensible, magical, sacred things.
As a consequence, we allow our population to explode numerically and in their actions literally, with wars between and within nations and terrorism and criminal activity within every society.
What a wasted opportunity.
We focus on technology and molecules, but avoid research on our own minds, implicitly treating these as immutable, incomprehensible, magical, sacred things.
As a consequence, we allow our population to explode numerically and in their actions literally, with wars between and within nations and terrorism and criminal activity within every society.
What a wasted opportunity.
12
Ya people said that I'm generations past as well, and were completely wrong. We were supposed to have absolute disaster when the population hit 2 billion. Now at 7, life is better for the poorest today than ever in history, including food access. Not that it's great for many, but it's far better than decades ago when the population was smaller.
1
Give us a break! We're just bio-chemical robots that can learn and try new approaches. Far too often, we get 'comfy' with the status quo, and avoid the hard work of change until we have no choice.
We may yet reverse the damage created by the "industrial age", but the threat that the overwhelming majority of the world's population will suffer first. Odds are that this is one of those right wing human hovershoots that will 'trickle up' in a mean and nasty way.
We may yet reverse the damage created by the "industrial age", but the threat that the overwhelming majority of the world's population will suffer first. Odds are that this is one of those right wing human hovershoots that will 'trickle up' in a mean and nasty way.
Maybe it's better in Canada than ever before. But for millions of the poorest of the poor, around the globe, life is not 'far better,' it is still terrible. And there will be more millions before there are less.
1
Climate Change has happened.
The Population Bomb has exploded.
We cannot "achieve" sustainability. We can only return to it.
We must stop polluting and populating, which are now much the same thing.
Terrorism is but a symptom, not the cause of the stress we are now putting on all of our systems. We've never really planned before, not globally. Now, we have no choice, if we do not want to entertain ever growing de-stabilization.
Walls will only work if desperate migrants are relatively few. But when there are millions, or tens of millions, who have no choice but to try or die, walls will crumble.
Africa is on track to produce 2 billion more people in the next 35 years. It is in the interest of everyone on the planet that, however many Africans there are, they are able to survive and thrive on their own continent, within their own communities, in peace and safety. If Africans want to migrate, it should not be out of desperation.
The Population Bomb has exploded.
We cannot "achieve" sustainability. We can only return to it.
We must stop polluting and populating, which are now much the same thing.
Terrorism is but a symptom, not the cause of the stress we are now putting on all of our systems. We've never really planned before, not globally. Now, we have no choice, if we do not want to entertain ever growing de-stabilization.
Walls will only work if desperate migrants are relatively few. But when there are millions, or tens of millions, who have no choice but to try or die, walls will crumble.
Africa is on track to produce 2 billion more people in the next 35 years. It is in the interest of everyone on the planet that, however many Africans there are, they are able to survive and thrive on their own continent, within their own communities, in peace and safety. If Africans want to migrate, it should not be out of desperation.
57
Right because we never had terrorism or violence before the population exploded.
Give me a break. Read any section of history from anytime in our past to put the lie to that.
Give me a break. Read any section of history from anytime in our past to put the lie to that.
1
You're preaching to the choir, but alas it's too small and gentle to take on the heavy work of reversing all of that stuff that the congregation has worked so hard to achieve.
1
Politics and climate change?
I recognize no current politics adequate to climate change or even to the creation of a civilized society in absence of climate change. What needs to occur is a drastic reduction in earth's human population along with an increase in the number of intelligent and disciplined people (on a chart, reduction of base of triangle and eventual creation of isosceles trapezoid).
Current politics is a disaster. The left wing with its socialism (everybody is equal) actually leads to the increase in number of least intelligent people (spread of base of triangle) and diminishment of the most intelligent people because, after all, in socialism nobody is better than anybody else. The right wing is unmentionable in its religion, rampant business, military operations, etc.
The result of current politics, even if climate change were not in existence, is exactly what we see before the eye: Overpopulation, crowd, impersonality, debasement of all to common and low and vulgar ground of perception, politics of crude crowd control and simple statement. Need I continue? We have no true society, civilization, even if climate were not in existence.
But of course climate change, ecological disaster, etc. is in existence...It is fashionable among the left wing today to say many animals demonstrate intelligence and humans are not the only intelligent animals, but it would be more true to say animals are instinctive and humans are not much above that instinct.
I recognize no current politics adequate to climate change or even to the creation of a civilized society in absence of climate change. What needs to occur is a drastic reduction in earth's human population along with an increase in the number of intelligent and disciplined people (on a chart, reduction of base of triangle and eventual creation of isosceles trapezoid).
Current politics is a disaster. The left wing with its socialism (everybody is equal) actually leads to the increase in number of least intelligent people (spread of base of triangle) and diminishment of the most intelligent people because, after all, in socialism nobody is better than anybody else. The right wing is unmentionable in its religion, rampant business, military operations, etc.
The result of current politics, even if climate change were not in existence, is exactly what we see before the eye: Overpopulation, crowd, impersonality, debasement of all to common and low and vulgar ground of perception, politics of crude crowd control and simple statement. Need I continue? We have no true society, civilization, even if climate were not in existence.
But of course climate change, ecological disaster, etc. is in existence...It is fashionable among the left wing today to say many animals demonstrate intelligence and humans are not the only intelligent animals, but it would be more true to say animals are instinctive and humans are not much above that instinct.
6
There are too many people in Africa. There are more than too many people in the United States.
14
Soylent green?
I see no humor in suffering. Anything constructive to say?
Africa's fertility rate is approximately 2 1/2 times that of Europe. It has out of control population growth. If the rate does not change (it almost certainly will) its population will be close to 4 billion by the end of the century. Add to the mix climate change, and Europe will be overrun unless it puts up a wall Trump would be proud of. As an aside, there is a U.S. political candidate who has touted the fine cooperative effort that blew up Libya and has opened the floodgates to Europe, she of the great experience, HRC.
30
There is a rumor that the original parchment included a limit on the 'go forth and multiply' commandment, but alas it got lost in the shuffle of 'cheap stuff' produced by the population explosion.
World wide availability of Internet and Cable TV could serve as an effective birth control alternative that might be acceptable to conservatives and 'fun button lovers', but it's probably too late...............or maybe we could resurrect the idea of 'planning parenthood'................
Or we could just try to find ways to solve the problem even if it does hard work, taxes, and sharing.
World wide availability of Internet and Cable TV could serve as an effective birth control alternative that might be acceptable to conservatives and 'fun button lovers', but it's probably too late...............or maybe we could resurrect the idea of 'planning parenthood'................
Or we could just try to find ways to solve the problem even if it does hard work, taxes, and sharing.
1
Thank you, Mr. Friedman. This is reporting at its best.
Sadly, I am afraid the current wave of refugees is only the tip of a coming-century-long iceberg. It seems that a disastrous future is now literally baked in, as climate change meets a global population already straining at planet-wide food limits. You bleed for these people. I can hardly blame Europeans for building walls - but that makes it doubly important to go to the villages and at least present them in human terms.
In one sense West Africa and the Sahel is exceptional. In terms of climate it always represented a narrow north-south strip between the parched Sahara to the north and lush rain forests to the south. As such, even a small shift in rainfall patterns can bring disaster. But in another sense it may be a first warning of worse to come - including sea level rise, which will affect us too, but the poorer regions of the world suffer the most.
One-time events might be addressed, but it's very hard to find a moral response in a time of universal disaster.
Sadly, I am afraid the current wave of refugees is only the tip of a coming-century-long iceberg. It seems that a disastrous future is now literally baked in, as climate change meets a global population already straining at planet-wide food limits. You bleed for these people. I can hardly blame Europeans for building walls - but that makes it doubly important to go to the villages and at least present them in human terms.
In one sense West Africa and the Sahel is exceptional. In terms of climate it always represented a narrow north-south strip between the parched Sahara to the north and lush rain forests to the south. As such, even a small shift in rainfall patterns can bring disaster. But in another sense it may be a first warning of worse to come - including sea level rise, which will affect us too, but the poorer regions of the world suffer the most.
One-time events might be addressed, but it's very hard to find a moral response in a time of universal disaster.
17
It is likely that it will be less hard to find a 'law of the jungle' solution in which walls will be overrun, and no mountaintop, tree, or cave will be safe for very long.
The current population with the current technology is already beyond sustainability, and it is locked into technology that is reducing the photosynthetic capacity of the whole ecosystem.
9
Maybe not! Human ingenuity could bail us out, but given our animal heritage, it's not likely to happen without collateral damage.
1
Overpopulation seems akin to overeating. Why do we overeat? Either because we don't know where our next meal is coming from, we experienced such a mortal threat in the past, or entertain the experience, real or imagined, somewhere in our psyches.
Why do people overpopulate? Following slavery and colonialization, and current tribal strife, people covet life through overpopulation.
I wish us all privileged enough lives that we don't need to overdo anything. This might make for a more peaceful humanity.
Why do people overpopulate? Following slavery and colonialization, and current tribal strife, people covet life through overpopulation.
I wish us all privileged enough lives that we don't need to overdo anything. This might make for a more peaceful humanity.
5
Overpopulation can also be attributed to the efforts of those who make it difficult for women to get birth control and access to abortion.
6
. . . — caught in the humiliating twilight of having left and gained nothing and having nothing to return to." This tragedy you describe in Africa, its immediacy, is starting to show up in America, the world’s wealthiest nation; only our problem in not yet climate, but right now, wealth driven decline at the expense of nearly all our people.
We too are losing our sense of community. This is in part, the end result of a Congress no longer doing its job, of working hand in hand with the President, of compassionate leadership. We are confronting greed: leadership by the best people money can buy.
We are becoming a different brand of Africa except we have no destination to which we can escape.
We too are losing our sense of community. This is in part, the end result of a Congress no longer doing its job, of working hand in hand with the President, of compassionate leadership. We are confronting greed: leadership by the best people money can buy.
We are becoming a different brand of Africa except we have no destination to which we can escape.
9
It's a world wide problem! The confluence of reduced "free resources" associated with global warming, and the advent of the age of robots is apt to bring forth a scary time.
Your statement is wrong. Every American is free to immigrate, and many should try other places if this one is not working out. All of us has the freedom, the resources, and the nominal education to do so. (okay, Appalachia and ole miss could be exceptions) And to compare our fat/hungry population with the skinny and starving of Africa is ridiculous.
Not only is climate change a front and center issue right now for Africa, it is estimated that by the end of the century the population of Africa will be close to three billion---up from a little over one billion today. The true test of the worlds humanity will be not only how Africa confronts climate change but the explosive population. The rest of the world appears to be well on the way to industrializing through commerce and technology. But how will the vast majority of Africans fare if the rest of the world continues to look at Africa as its personal mineral warehouse. I think we are beginning to witness an very uncomfortable truth-----not well at all. Lets just hope we don't have a problem of biblical proportion.
44
The West can't fix itself. How can it fix Africa?
4
@Rufus T. FIREFLY:Having lived and worked in Africa for a number of years, I can assure you that Africans look at their lives,, and have concluded that, "a la guerre comme a la guerre,"the only solution is to decamp, to raise the money to pay a smuggler to get them to Europe and, the beau ideal, to the US. There r societies, groups throughout the continent whose stock in trade is aiding emigrants to leave, but insist on being paid in advance.But since there is very little work available, and population growth vastly exceeds economic growth, those Africans who seek to leave r unable to do so.One can also conclude that in some respects decolonization, independence from Western imperialism was a sham. Same groups, in cahoots with former colonial overlords, r still on top and not taking any chances.Remember De Gaulle's prophetic words when he set in motion the independence of France's former colonies:"On part pour mieux rester!"
Africa has untold amounts of natural wealth (even after centuries of plunder by foreign powers, and its own home grown kleptocrats, "strong man" rulers, elected and appointed officials, etc. after all countries became independent.
Unless African institutions function as they were designed to at least 90% of the time (the rest being waste, fraud, and abuse - just as in most other parts of the world), what V.S. Naipaul who lived and traveled in Africa extensively, said will always remain a possibility: asked about what he thought the future of Africa would be, he said "Africa has no future."
Even so-called "democracies" in Africa are hardly that. A lot of Africa's wealth is stolen and ends up overseas. There is no magic wand to create gardens in Africa unless the Africans do it themselves.
With artificial and unnatural boundaries that Europeans relied on to "partition" Africa in their own interests, tribalism assured problems in the future. And now wit radical Islam, much of Africa is "free" but dysfunctional.
The developed countries can't deal with climate change at home. Helping Africa deal with it, at this point is merely another "business" opportunity with foreign "aid" money for foreign coporations.
Also, a few thousand years ago, the Sahara was not the desert it is today - and supported large communities because it had water and vegetation. Desertification started long before the current era or today's man made climate change.
Unless African institutions function as they were designed to at least 90% of the time (the rest being waste, fraud, and abuse - just as in most other parts of the world), what V.S. Naipaul who lived and traveled in Africa extensively, said will always remain a possibility: asked about what he thought the future of Africa would be, he said "Africa has no future."
Even so-called "democracies" in Africa are hardly that. A lot of Africa's wealth is stolen and ends up overseas. There is no magic wand to create gardens in Africa unless the Africans do it themselves.
With artificial and unnatural boundaries that Europeans relied on to "partition" Africa in their own interests, tribalism assured problems in the future. And now wit radical Islam, much of Africa is "free" but dysfunctional.
The developed countries can't deal with climate change at home. Helping Africa deal with it, at this point is merely another "business" opportunity with foreign "aid" money for foreign coporations.
Also, a few thousand years ago, the Sahara was not the desert it is today - and supported large communities because it had water and vegetation. Desertification started long before the current era or today's man made climate change.
14
There's something wrong about this article, it just doesn't feel right. Friedman brushes the surface, giving us the usual victimized face of Africa without probing the depths. It feels like Friedman hasn't really made contact with the people, is more of a tourist being shown what others want him to see. Nothing about big-agriculture and its effects on farming villages like Ndiamaguene. No word about over-population or overgrazing. Weird, contradictory statements (Boko Haram can afford to pay people hundreds of dollars a month, in Africa, where the average ANNUAL income is about $750???) Mr. Friedman seems to "investigate" to find just enough to support his own ideas about the world, then stops.
42
As usual....
This is very sad but there are no guarantees on this planet. Things change and are changing. Our attachment to a way of life for a relatively tiny history of Earth is not going to serve us well. It's easy for me to say but it's also impossible for me to save everyone and everything, as it is for Europe or any western nation. Africans and any people who are seeing the writing on the wall need to take responsibility. It is not responsible to bring children into this world with little or no hope of living a decent life. The planet is getting crowded and there are already to many disenfranchised people with too much time, too little to eat, and too little to do which leads to anger and violence.
51
I understand where you are coming from, but you are nevertheless so tone deaf.
Here in the United States, the most formidable super power of the world, has one of our major party, the GOP, with their network of well educated pundits and financiers all cried "hoax" on global warming, yet you expect some poor farmers in Africa to recognize that salient fact and to stop having children and stop living their lives. Should I mention these same Americans, consider birth control sinful, everywhere?
As for over population, that is true actually only in the Third World countries. Europe in fact is seeing a decline of population. But it would not be the same to replace the lost population with non-white from Africa or the Middle East, would it?
Here in the United States, the most formidable super power of the world, has one of our major party, the GOP, with their network of well educated pundits and financiers all cried "hoax" on global warming, yet you expect some poor farmers in Africa to recognize that salient fact and to stop having children and stop living their lives. Should I mention these same Americans, consider birth control sinful, everywhere?
As for over population, that is true actually only in the Third World countries. Europe in fact is seeing a decline of population. But it would not be the same to replace the lost population with non-white from Africa or the Middle East, would it?
1
What is "irresponsible" aren't the people of Africa - now the current victims of climate change, but don't worry, our turn is coming.
What is irresponsible is a do-nothing Republican Congress that encourages the people burning coal and other fuels from the age of Charles Dickens, meanwhile denying the science that proves we are destroying the world as we know it.
We have a responsiblity to care for this world and all the living creatures on it. That responsibilty is being denied big time.
The money of the Koch brothers - they will spend over $1 Billion on the presidential elections alone - helps ensure they continue to make money from coal and other fossile fueles as they spread their harmful ideology.
Future generations will marvel at our actions. Yes, and weep over what might have been easily done with cap and trade legislation, encouraging cheap solar and wind etc. to avoid starvation, mass migrations, and inevitable conflicts over scarce food and water.
Shame, shame!
What is irresponsible is a do-nothing Republican Congress that encourages the people burning coal and other fuels from the age of Charles Dickens, meanwhile denying the science that proves we are destroying the world as we know it.
We have a responsiblity to care for this world and all the living creatures on it. That responsibilty is being denied big time.
The money of the Koch brothers - they will spend over $1 Billion on the presidential elections alone - helps ensure they continue to make money from coal and other fossile fueles as they spread their harmful ideology.
Future generations will marvel at our actions. Yes, and weep over what might have been easily done with cap and trade legislation, encouraging cheap solar and wind etc. to avoid starvation, mass migrations, and inevitable conflicts over scarce food and water.
Shame, shame!
1
What a callous comment this is.
2
Maybe the problem is an overpopulation of people of European descent, since they consume multiple more resources and emit multiple more garbage per capita than the other inhabitants of this planet...not to mention enslave, colonise and exterminate.
1
Nicolas, You write, "Maybe the problem is an overpopulation of people of European descent, since they consume multiple more resources and emit multiple more garbage per capita than the other inhabitants of this planet...not to mention enslave, colonise and exterminate." I didn't realize that the population of China was of European descent. Who knew?
2
No. It the places of European descent that people want to emigrate TO. It's the people of European descent that created the world they all want.
1
Mr Friedman: To add to good piece, Diameguene means "Peace is Better" in Wolof
1
I am waiting for the manufacturing jobs to hit Africa, the way they hit China years ago. Affordable labor will be plentiful. Stable governments are a necessity, though. Boko Haram and other terrorist groups do not allow for stable infrastructure and foreign investment. This is why terrorism needs to be defeated. If terrorist groups can kill stability, they will have more recruits. There is an incentive for terrorist cells to keep the people downtrodden and out of work.
4
My take away from this is simply what are we going to do about the African elites that keep skimming all the money/value out of their economy. Not to mention the rapaciousness of the multi-nationals that want profits not sustainability.
10
Two "Out of Africa" columns and no mention of Karen Blixen. Friedman's message is important and his point well made in two parts but he has cribbed someone else's title, a story of another part of Africa in another era.
3
“when the U.S. and NATO toppled the Libyan dictator — but did not put troops on the ground to help secure a new order — they essentially uncorked Africa, creating a massive funnel through chaotic Libya to the Mediterranean coast.”
A big factor in our involvement in Libya’s regime change was the advocacy by people such as Mr. Friedman.
Hillary Clinton listened, and she persuaded President Obama to participate in that stupid military intervention.
The rest is history – in the making.
4/20 @ 7:04 am
A big factor in our involvement in Libya’s regime change was the advocacy by people such as Mr. Friedman.
Hillary Clinton listened, and she persuaded President Obama to participate in that stupid military intervention.
The rest is history – in the making.
4/20 @ 7:04 am
14
Was Libya a mistake or was it inevitable? Dictator to democracy has never worked. Never.
3
Another American jingoist who thinks everything that happens in the word is due to the US. Libya was going to uncork itself, no matter what actions we took. The Sykes-Picot redrawing of the Middle Eastern map is being wiped away due to a legion of factors, as are the corrupt reigns of N African strongmen.
1
Really? Post World War II Germany?
“Gardens or walls? It’s really not a choice. We have to help them fix their gardens because no walls will keep them home.”
That is nonsense. The West has no obligation to welcome people from over-populated nations. Instead, it should use every means available to keep these people from entering Europe.
4/20 @ 7:00 am
That is nonsense. The West has no obligation to welcome people from over-populated nations. Instead, it should use every means available to keep these people from entering Europe.
4/20 @ 7:00 am
6
The following statements by Mr. Friedman highlight what is wrong with Africa:
“the men of Ndiamaguene have no choice but to migrate to bigger towns or out of the country
“One reason they have so many children is that the offspring are a safety net for aging parents
“with cellphones everyone can see a better world in Europe.” (So, why do Western Billionaires provide free smartphones and free internet access to Africans?)
The actual solution to mass migration, climate change and terrorism is the same: some combination of celibacy and sterilization.
4/20 @ 6:56 am
“the men of Ndiamaguene have no choice but to migrate to bigger towns or out of the country
“One reason they have so many children is that the offspring are a safety net for aging parents
“with cellphones everyone can see a better world in Europe.” (So, why do Western Billionaires provide free smartphones and free internet access to Africans?)
The actual solution to mass migration, climate change and terrorism is the same: some combination of celibacy and sterilization.
4/20 @ 6:56 am
3
I feel sad, of course, after reading this beautifully told story. And wonder why we as a human race can't find the will to bring leaders forth who can collaborate to sustain what makes us human. My fear is that we only act in crises and the slow advance of climate change reminds me of a frog put into water that is slowly coming to a boil. It won't notice it is boiling to death until it's too late.
39
"homo homini lupus" - that is the human mind.
The choice is us or them, and luckely this choice is up to us, because if it were up to them, they would have their way with millions into the heart of europe.
The choice is us or them, and luckely this choice is up to us, because if it were up to them, they would have their way with millions into the heart of europe.
3
That there is a story of a frog boiling slowly shows me that we need not always be the frog, that we are smarter than the frog and will survive (and be able to write stories about the myopic frog).
Back in the 1840s, my paternal ancestors left Northumberland and emigrated to Central New York. A very high percentage of their village came with them and they settled together to create a new community. The problems they were escaping included technological changes in agriculture, laws that made it hard for poor farmers and shepherds to prosper, crop failures and bad weather.
I often think about them and the other great migrations that have happened since the beginning of history. What has changed now is that there are virtually no destinations where migrants will be welcomed. That generates a dangerous situation. If Libya was a cork, what was happening to the humanity that remained bottled up?
Migrations destabilize and lack of stability is dangerous. We desperately need some new visions to counteract the xenophobia and greed that threaten.
I often think about them and the other great migrations that have happened since the beginning of history. What has changed now is that there are virtually no destinations where migrants will be welcomed. That generates a dangerous situation. If Libya was a cork, what was happening to the humanity that remained bottled up?
Migrations destabilize and lack of stability is dangerous. We desperately need some new visions to counteract the xenophobia and greed that threaten.
5
If we fix their garden, their gift to us will be more children and they will need an even bigger garden. This must stop. The wall is the message. The wall is a symbol of hope that something of the modern world can be saved in a sustainable way.
What was the response when Mr. Friedman suggested overpopulation, an economic and culturally based societal suicide, was the actual proximate cause of this community's problem?
What was the response when Mr. Friedman suggested overpopulation, an economic and culturally based societal suicide, was the actual proximate cause of this community's problem?
11
We are hard wired to breed. And climate change makes survival harder.
I've lived in Senegal for almost 10 years, of course not nearly as long as the elders Thomas met. The problem with anecdotes is that people tend to remember what they want to and in a way that fits a narrative that makes sense to them. This is not to deny climate change, which is real. I do know that desertification of the western Sahel has been ongoing for at least the last few thousand years, and so increased dessication should not necessarily be considered proof of man-made climate change. The old empire of Ghana was based in Koumbi Saleh, which has long since been turned into desert on southern Mauritania, along with numerous other once-prosperous towns.
If anecdotes may be considered, then it also makes sense to mention that Dakar's heaviest rainy season on record (since the 1930s) was only 4 years ago. I have been caught in heavy flooding rains in the north in Saint Louis with the past 5. But climate change doesn't explain migration as much as overpopulation does, and the culture of Senegal in particular accepts migration as a norm for young men. I think those are the better places to look for reasons. After all, if more fertile land is sought, southern Senegal is still pretty lush, and in fact parts of it had record levels of rainfall last year.
If anecdotes may be considered, then it also makes sense to mention that Dakar's heaviest rainy season on record (since the 1930s) was only 4 years ago. I have been caught in heavy flooding rains in the north in Saint Louis with the past 5. But climate change doesn't explain migration as much as overpopulation does, and the culture of Senegal in particular accepts migration as a norm for young men. I think those are the better places to look for reasons. After all, if more fertile land is sought, southern Senegal is still pretty lush, and in fact parts of it had record levels of rainfall last year.
16
What a pity that the lush southern part pf Senegal is allready populated...
Its obviously a battle on many fronts. The population growth must be addressed - it is so clearly an essential step to change in order to not starve and die out. This is where the west can and should help within these societies. China addressed it, so did Mexico, so did our own ancestors when shifting from an agricultural economy in which multiple bodies are needed to a post industrial reality in which jobs are scarce.
1
While I share many concerns of Mr. Freedman regarding the future of Africa, I wonder why the outspoken Mr. Freedman has recently chosen to be so quiet regarding sujet du jour; that is, the US-Saudi relation? Given that he is a frequent Riyadh visitor, one would assume that he has much to say on the subject. Is there too much at stake?
4
She's going home, Mr. Friedman, to retire. My friend has a farm in Africa and plans to build a village. We spoke about this years ago when working together in the children's humanitarian community. This time she brought up 'wrestling in Senegal', a much favored sport apparently, and I made her laugh when telling her of the time my American spouse got scratched for practicing his wrestling skills at home.
She's going home and worries that she will be idle after all these years, while mentioning that security was an issue. I remember when she told me in late years that she might apply for an assignment in The Sudan, causing me to get red under the collar. 'I am African', she added. A vast continent, by now I recognize the Senegalese. You will find them in Paris and New York and their country is known for its Hospitality.
Perhaps I will forward this article to her later in the day. Amazing Grace, she will be missed, and this time I am going to blame somebody. It is the loudmouth Trump, partly responsible for this state of affairs. We no longer mention his name.
Homage to Senegal and the rest is in 'The Hands of God'.
She's going home and worries that she will be idle after all these years, while mentioning that security was an issue. I remember when she told me in late years that she might apply for an assignment in The Sudan, causing me to get red under the collar. 'I am African', she added. A vast continent, by now I recognize the Senegalese. You will find them in Paris and New York and their country is known for its Hospitality.
Perhaps I will forward this article to her later in the day. Amazing Grace, she will be missed, and this time I am going to blame somebody. It is the loudmouth Trump, partly responsible for this state of affairs. We no longer mention his name.
Homage to Senegal and the rest is in 'The Hands of God'.
In response to he that says overpopulation is the problem.
Sir, why do people overeat. Because they fear where there next meal is coming from, experienced this previously, or entertain the thought someplace in their psyches.
Why do people overpopulate? Similar to overeating, after being perpetually ravaged by colonialism and slavery, and the current misguided tribal strife, one covets life through reproduction.
You might do the same in such a situation. I wish us all privileged enough so our condition does not necessitate we overdo anything.
Sir, why do people overeat. Because they fear where there next meal is coming from, experienced this previously, or entertain the thought someplace in their psyches.
Why do people overpopulate? Similar to overeating, after being perpetually ravaged by colonialism and slavery, and the current misguided tribal strife, one covets life through reproduction.
You might do the same in such a situation. I wish us all privileged enough so our condition does not necessitate we overdo anything.
29
So consider me repelling these african migration as an reaction to attila the hun.
1
Misogyny plays a role at least as large as those you mentioned.
4
Thank you for the thoughtful article (refreshingly politically-incorrect for the NY Times) on Europe's biggest problem - which will define what we mean by "Europe" in twenty years' time. Blaming this massive influx of excess African population into Europe on global warming is a good cover story. We do not want to admit openly that the real problem is the African population explosion of the last fifty years. Facing up to that fact, which is the real underlying cause of this crisis, may be impossible in polite society.
5
When the earthquake hit Haiti a few years ago, I made the politically incorrect statement that their main problem was overpopulation in a land with zero resources and a very backwards populace. People were shocked and asked how much money I was sending. Zero was my answer, and it always will be. Mass sterilization and dissemination of BC is the first step, and if we are not willing to admit this, and do it, then please do not take my tax dollars there, and please do not insist I send my charity dollars there.
4
Tell Merkel, who can't distinguish those in real need from those who are using her naivety to ruin the whole European culture!
4
Africa's problem is NOT climate change. Climate change may be be making Senegal drier (i am not convinced), but it is making nearby Niger wetter. What is forcing these men to leave is the incredible exponential population growth in Africa, which far outstrips the carrying capacity of the land. Senegal had 3 million people in 1960, and over 13 million today. Niger had fewer than 3 million in 1960, and about 17 million today. In 1900, Africa had 1/3 the population of Europe. Now it has nearly twice Europe's population, and will have 5 times its population or more in 2100. All trade and aid for African countries must be conditioned on implementation of a 2 child per woman birth control policy.
36
I appreciate your assessment. What's wrong with sterilization or one child per woman? I don't mean to excuse climate change, but obviously, the civilized world's will and ability to deal with it is uneven at best, and may prove quite insufficient. But there is an aspect of human suffering that we can deal with quite directly. That population control still seems taboo to so many observers here is curious in view of the facts.
3
At the end of the nineteenth century, my twelve-year-old grandfather and his older brother stowed away on a ship leaving the Greek island of Leros hoping for a better life in Africa. Much has changed since then.
1
This is a very unfortunate article. As was the Out of Africa article last week. Anthropogenic climate change is real; yes, of course. And it affects peoples' lives on the ground. Undoubtedly. And people in the global south are more vulnerable to it, too -- which is especially unjust because they didn't generate the emissions that cause climate change. But while some are making the trek north to the maghreb, most are not. Sophisticated migration studies by demographers demonstrate that people affected by environmental change do not and cannot mobilize great distances. They often migrate within their country or perhaps regionally. In the case of West Africa they're going south to the mega cities in the Gulf of Guinea. Not north to Morocco or Tunisia. The intraregional migration is concerning. It demands attention by policymakers. Absolutely. Mitigation and adaptation have to be crafted. But Mr. Friedman's writing -- and contributing to the specter of climate refugees as an "immigration flood" threatening the "future of Europe" -- is dreadful, irresponsible, sensational and unsubstantiated fear mongering. He really has to be more responsible in his writing.
6
You are asking Thomas Friedman to "be more responsible" by hushing up the truth and writing more politically correct interpretations of the evidence? How about greater honesty instead?
1
How many cabdrivers here in Chicago are recent arrivals from Africa? One asks them to tell their stories and discovers that almost all of them come from a rural background in some African country where the challenges of raising a viable crop and having enough drinking water are all but insurmountable. All express similar hopes of sending a big portion of their meagre earnings back to Africa, or even bringing them in person, to alleviate further suffering on the part of those who could not join them in the wider world. Those of us who have enabled the massive engine of climate change, now roaring out of control, have this privation and displacement to answer for.
7
For the most part, shouldn't the parents of the world encourage their children to go live in cities, where they can grow through exposure to ideas, become educated (read: modern), and find work to help them prosper? I realize that remote villages are "home," but are they a child's future? I'd like to understand if this is valid or not. Is it right to favor cities?
1
When a close female relative was married to an unemployed Moroccan, I gave her this advice, "Don't wear any heavy belts into a cafe filled with foreigners, and don't become pregnant." She did neither.
2
WATER = LIFE Climate change has had the effect of shattering families in Senegal, starting with droughts in the 70s followed by desertification. The younger men leave behind families, trading despair for hopelessness. Jobs in Europe versus joining ISIL are both routes to survival for the Africans, but perhaps not for Africa nor for Europe as we know it. Many parts of Europe were under Islamic control starting with the Almohads in Spain, the dominance of the empire of Constantinople followed by the Ottoman Empire extending until the end of WW I, which points out the historical fact that many parts of Europe were under Islamic control far longer than its being part of Christendom. The current exodus from Africa is a mere trickle during the past few years compared to the tsunami of people that will be fleeing to Europe in order to find water and survival. I had thought that the higher birth rates among Muslims currently living in Europe would eventually cause a cultural shift on the continent, but the great flood of humanity that shows no signs of abating, if continued and increased, will rapidly shift the cultural balance. Because of climate change, for Africans no survival is possible without water and arable land. Chaos in the Middle East is going to put the exodus to Europe on steroids to escape violence and death. Our eyes must be focused to see what comes out of Africa and watch unexpected cultural change, perhaps within a decade. What are the alternatives?
2
Thomas,
The Oxfam America report broken at the Top tells us this is not an accident.
America had a choice in 1980 about the kind of world it would leave its children. We can't blame Carter , or unintended consequences. America was told the alternatives and chose "Mourning in America" and more misery for the "least" of our fellow humans.
The Oxfam America report broken at the Top tells us this is not an accident.
America had a choice in 1980 about the kind of world it would leave its children. We can't blame Carter , or unintended consequences. America was told the alternatives and chose "Mourning in America" and more misery for the "least" of our fellow humans.
3
And yet Republican lawmakers like the Chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, continue to insist there's been no increase in global temperatures since 1998. They go right on helping create plenty of sand to bury their collective heads in. What will it take?
7
Behind every great writer and journalist is a great researcher.
Friedman could never get a job with Roger Ailes the chief of FOX news because there they start with the story they want to tell and then build it up. It's never based on the facts organized by importance.
Friedman could never get a job with Roger Ailes the chief of FOX news because there they start with the story they want to tell and then build it up. It's never based on the facts organized by importance.
Any help that has been given to Africa so far is a drop in the enormous bucket, and the Obama and Bush administrations have put in money and support.
The situation that Mr. Friedman describes is so dire that is hard to imagine any viable solution and Mr. Friedman provides none beyond a meaningless platitude at the end: "We have to help them fix their gardens because no walls will keep them home", whatever that might mean.
However, it has been pointed out that none of the presidential candidates pay much attention to Africa:
http://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2016/02/candidates-dont-forget-abou...
Solution? None in sight and bottom line, very few outside of Africa really care.
The situation that Mr. Friedman describes is so dire that is hard to imagine any viable solution and Mr. Friedman provides none beyond a meaningless platitude at the end: "We have to help them fix their gardens because no walls will keep them home", whatever that might mean.
However, it has been pointed out that none of the presidential candidates pay much attention to Africa:
http://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2016/02/candidates-dont-forget-abou...
Solution? None in sight and bottom line, very few outside of Africa really care.
7
It is a very sad situation. But the outside powers can do something about overpopulation and war.
1
Whether it's the move northward from below the Rio Grande or the one from Asia and Africa to Europe, mass osmotic movements seeking to cure economic imbalances just don't work. In the end, relatively prosperous regions just aren't capable of absorbing such masses of humanity and remaining prosperous; and with such numbers defined societies risk losing their cultures. Tom points at global climate change, but the problem is as much one of cultures that encourage many children regardless of an inability to feed them in an already-overpopulated world than it is about once-arable land in Senegal and elsewhere turning to sand.
If we're to keep our humanity we must make gardens possible again, as Tom suggests, so that fewer walls are needed. Sadly, the twenty-first century is fast becoming not an intellectual challenge of discoveries and colonization in space, but the beginnings of what could be one thousand years of mere subsistence culture, in part because we shift huge parts of humanity escaping drought and flood to places not engineered to sustain such numbers, in part because, unlike most animals, we have such problems keeping our populations in check during adverse times.
We're not going to give up oil and coal as rapidly as some think necessary. In the teeth of that reality we had better start figuring out how to artificially remove carbon from the environment on a massive scale. If we don't, we can kiss goodbye our gardens, our prosperity, our humanity, or all three.
If we're to keep our humanity we must make gardens possible again, as Tom suggests, so that fewer walls are needed. Sadly, the twenty-first century is fast becoming not an intellectual challenge of discoveries and colonization in space, but the beginnings of what could be one thousand years of mere subsistence culture, in part because we shift huge parts of humanity escaping drought and flood to places not engineered to sustain such numbers, in part because, unlike most animals, we have such problems keeping our populations in check during adverse times.
We're not going to give up oil and coal as rapidly as some think necessary. In the teeth of that reality we had better start figuring out how to artificially remove carbon from the environment on a massive scale. If we don't, we can kiss goodbye our gardens, our prosperity, our humanity, or all three.
39
It takes even more energy to separate out and sequester CO2.
1
Mr. Luettgen you have cause and effect mixed up, and you also seem to turn a blind eye to the very causes Mr. Friedman outlines in his article.
People have lots of children largely for economic reasons; it is not some kind of cultural flaw. So when rich countries fail to take seriously the need to play a major role in international development - which they should be obligated to do since their power and economic systems allowed them to grab over-large shares of the economic pie for themselves - they nurtured the cultures that produce the children. We bear major responsibility here.
Also I would strongly urge you to re-think your notion that we simply are not going to give up fossil fuels as quickly as we must. We have the technology. We have the need. We can even make the case that a Manhattan Project-style transition to clean energy would be a major economic winner. And we can do things far more rapidly than we have been - look at Japan and Germany's post-Fukushima transitions from nuclear.
So let's stop the blaming and start - especially the wealthy countries - putting our shoulders to the wheel in a serious way. The irony is that this could be an immensely joyful project, the world's work in the 21st Century, and enormously fulfilling to boot. If only we will take an attitude that updates JFK's words and ask not what our planet can do for us, ask what we can do for our planet.
The gardens are there to be built, and it really is win-win.
People have lots of children largely for economic reasons; it is not some kind of cultural flaw. So when rich countries fail to take seriously the need to play a major role in international development - which they should be obligated to do since their power and economic systems allowed them to grab over-large shares of the economic pie for themselves - they nurtured the cultures that produce the children. We bear major responsibility here.
Also I would strongly urge you to re-think your notion that we simply are not going to give up fossil fuels as quickly as we must. We have the technology. We have the need. We can even make the case that a Manhattan Project-style transition to clean energy would be a major economic winner. And we can do things far more rapidly than we have been - look at Japan and Germany's post-Fukushima transitions from nuclear.
So let's stop the blaming and start - especially the wealthy countries - putting our shoulders to the wheel in a serious way. The irony is that this could be an immensely joyful project, the world's work in the 21st Century, and enormously fulfilling to boot. If only we will take an attitude that updates JFK's words and ask not what our planet can do for us, ask what we can do for our planet.
The gardens are there to be built, and it really is win-win.
3
Steve B:
It does at current levels of technology. Fixing that is what a massive research-and-engineering program would be all about.
Steve T:
People in such societies largely have lots of children because they don't want to die alone and because infant and early mortality claim many. It's always been so. That's a cultural flaw when set against global human needs.
And if you honestly believe that we will give up coal and oil quickly, then you don't understand China, India, Mexico, Russia and many other societies seeking to either build middle classes for the first times in their histories or reclaim them after serious economic and ideological errors.
It does at current levels of technology. Fixing that is what a massive research-and-engineering program would be all about.
Steve T:
People in such societies largely have lots of children because they don't want to die alone and because infant and early mortality claim many. It's always been so. That's a cultural flaw when set against global human needs.
And if you honestly believe that we will give up coal and oil quickly, then you don't understand China, India, Mexico, Russia and many other societies seeking to either build middle classes for the first times in their histories or reclaim them after serious economic and ideological errors.
2
Given the growing challenge of a continent trying to sustain itself in the face of climate change, population growth there seems almost certain to lead to some kind of dystopian future. The current and projected total fertility rates for African countries are mostly over 5, compared to around 2 for the rest of the world. There could be 3 billion Africans by 2050.
Back in the 1970s, Mexico had a TFR of nearly 7 and it is now 2, the same as the US. While Trump rallies scream for building walls on the Mexico border, the real answer is economic development to move away from the agrarian big family model. And that, thanks in no small part to NAFTA, has stabilized the population of Mexico.
The same potential solution exists in parts of Africa, with increased foreign investment and less domestic corruption among public leaders. Uganda has taken this path and is said to have the potential to feed 80% of Africa. Africa does not have to follow the China "workshop of the world" model, attended by massive pollution, soaring carbon output and environmental degradation. It can be a functioning continental market focusing on producing for the needs of its people.
Africa must also choose wisely, avoiding widespread adoption of the Monsanto agribusiness model promoted by some Western foundations. Otherwise, short term gains will turn to long term disaster.
Back in the 1970s, Mexico had a TFR of nearly 7 and it is now 2, the same as the US. While Trump rallies scream for building walls on the Mexico border, the real answer is economic development to move away from the agrarian big family model. And that, thanks in no small part to NAFTA, has stabilized the population of Mexico.
The same potential solution exists in parts of Africa, with increased foreign investment and less domestic corruption among public leaders. Uganda has taken this path and is said to have the potential to feed 80% of Africa. Africa does not have to follow the China "workshop of the world" model, attended by massive pollution, soaring carbon output and environmental degradation. It can be a functioning continental market focusing on producing for the needs of its people.
Africa must also choose wisely, avoiding widespread adoption of the Monsanto agribusiness model promoted by some Western foundations. Otherwise, short term gains will turn to long term disaster.
52
Home to the early humanity, rich with Nature's bounty and mineral deposits, and a life wrapped with community and family warmth if under a joint conspiracy of man and nature Africa has come to this sorry pass when the life turns out to be an everyday drag, what other option remains with the people except to move in search of opportunity, whatever be the odds?
8
The african population doubled from 1982 to 2009, and quadrupled from 1955 to 2009. The main cause of the desertification in the sahel is overgrazing by an ever growing population. Also, the desertification of the sahara started already 10.000 years ago, so this is no recent phenomenon.
To blame climate chance for the exodus is scapegoating, overpopulation and the exhausting of resources is the real problem.
The situation is doomed. No one in europe will support africa as long as there is no concept of sustainability. Africans can't keep coming to europe to cover this up. And if they will keep on coming, the will propel an antimigration stance in europe, that will be beyond humanity.
We should focus how to contain this migration, because it will be somehow stopped, and at the moment there are just inhumane solutions. This summer we are going to see very ugly pictures from europe. We need to know how to prevent this.
To blame climate chance for the exodus is scapegoating, overpopulation and the exhausting of resources is the real problem.
The situation is doomed. No one in europe will support africa as long as there is no concept of sustainability. Africans can't keep coming to europe to cover this up. And if they will keep on coming, the will propel an antimigration stance in europe, that will be beyond humanity.
We should focus how to contain this migration, because it will be somehow stopped, and at the moment there are just inhumane solutions. This summer we are going to see very ugly pictures from europe. We need to know how to prevent this.
123
Thank you, Mr. One Child Family. Think about the other factors too.
Actually it is both. Both overpopulation and climate change. Climate change exacerbates overpopulation and the environmental pressure it creates. The two have synergistic effects. Both need to be addressed.
6
The African population quadrupled from 1955 to 2009 while the continent also saw millions die from famine, drought, civil wars, genocides, and disease (AIDS, malaria) during the same period. And many of those dead millions did not survive to reproduce, or to reproduce the way they would have if they had survived. The demographic predictions for the continent in the next century show exponential growth. I fear that the coming century will make the last 50 years look like child's play, in terms of the needless death and destruction that will occur. Much better to give women some rights (education, jobs, the decision of when/whom/if to marry) and take a daily pill, than to watch the horrors about to unfold. But Africans have been staunchly against making those kinds of cultural shifts (in the way Latin Americans or East Asians have done). And you are right - Europe will not be a pressure valve forever - eventually the boats will be sent back to Libya. Africans have happily accepted death control (food aid, antibiotics, vaccinations, peacekeeping forces) without accepting the accompanying birth control that needs to go along with those things in order to work. What's coming will be far worse than anything we've seen so far in Africa.
6
There are billions men made of Coal/ Oil,
Unaware of the Earth they despoil,
Uncaring, not sharing,
Left millions despairing,
A Pot that continues to boil.
One more kind of Chaos turned loose,
Fruits of economic abuse,
So stick if you like
Fingers in the dike
With Nature there's no easy truce.
So now we're just at the beginning
Of a long battle, as yet not winning,
The cost will be huge
Après le deluge,
We must efforts worldwide be spinning.
Unaware of the Earth they despoil,
Uncaring, not sharing,
Left millions despairing,
A Pot that continues to boil.
One more kind of Chaos turned loose,
Fruits of economic abuse,
So stick if you like
Fingers in the dike
With Nature there's no easy truce.
So now we're just at the beginning
Of a long battle, as yet not winning,
The cost will be huge
Après le deluge,
We must efforts worldwide be spinning.
96
Larry: Your best, ever.
2
When billions of new people are being produced
because the birth rate is not being reduced,
and most of them are dirt-poor and live in the moment
no movement against climate change will you be able to foment
coal and oil will still be used
and throughout the Third World will still be abused
while forward-thinking people in new york have false hopes
and real climate change fixes are left on the ropes.
because the birth rate is not being reduced,
and most of them are dirt-poor and live in the moment
no movement against climate change will you be able to foment
coal and oil will still be used
and throughout the Third World will still be abused
while forward-thinking people in new york have false hopes
and real climate change fixes are left on the ropes.
7
Wait......how do they have money for cellphones to "see" a better Europe?!?! My cell phone bill would buy a TON of rice & beans every month. Do they get Obama phones, too??
8
We must start there
There are Too many US aid restrictions on family planning. We are not helping if we deliver aid and not contraception