Modern History

 420 Years ago, Today

History is little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind.

- Edward Gibbon

Preparedness and Lessons from Champlain's 1604 Expedition: A Cautionary Tale for Today

The story of Samuel de Champlain's ill-fated expedition to establish a colony on Saint Croix Island in 1604 serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of preparedness in the face of challenging environments and unforeseen circumstances.

As we reflect on this historical episode, there are valuable lessons that resonate profoundly with contemporary issues, particularly in the context of planning for resilience and sustainability.

Champlain and Pierre Dugua, Sieur De Mons, embarked on their journey with meticulous planning and a well-equipped expedition.

The ships Te Don De Dieu and La Bonne-Renommée were outfitted as self-sufficient forts, stocked with provisions, defenses, and building supplies for a year. They carried a diverse group of skilled artisans, laborers, and soldiers, meticulously selected for their roles in establishing and sustaining a new settlement in the Americas.

However, despite their preparations, Champlain and his colleagues faced unforeseen challenges that ultimately led to significant hardship and loss.

The assumption that the milder latitude of the Bay of Fundy would offer respite from harsh winters proved to be a critical miscalculation. De Mons was right that Maine and France sit on a similar latitude, but ocean and atmospheric currents keep Europe far warmer.

The harsh reality of Maine's winter climate, compounded by a global cooling phenomenon known as the Little Ice Age, tested the limits of the settlers' endurance and resourcefulness.

The lessons from this historical expedition resonate deeply with modern-day challenges, particularly in the context of climate change and environmental resilience. Here are some key takeaways:

1. Comprehensive Risk Assessment: The importance of conducting thorough risk assessments cannot be overstated. Champlain's expedition underestimated the harshness of the winter climate and overestimated the island's ability to sustain them. In today's context, effective preparedness requires a clear understanding of environmental risks and vulnerabilities.

2. Adaptive Planning: Flexibility and adaptability are essential components of preparedness. Champlain's inability to adjust to the harsh winter conditions highlights the importance of adaptive planning and response strategies when faced with unexpected challenges.

3. Sustainability and Resource Management: The depletion of resources, particularly firewood, underscores the critical importance of sustainable resource management. Today, as we confront issues of resource scarcity and climate change, sustainable practices are vital for long-term resilience.

4. Health and Well-being: The outbreak of disease, likely scurvy due to lack of fresh food, underscores the importance of prioritizing health and well-being in preparedness efforts. Access to fresh and nutritious food, healthcare, and preventive measures are fundamental for community resilience.

5. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Champlain's expedition was a multidisciplinary effort, bringing together sailors, artisans, soldiers, and experts in various fields. Modern-day preparedness requires interdisciplinary collaboration and holistic approaches to address complex challenges.

In conclusion, the story of Champlain's 1604 expedition serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of adversity.

As we navigate contemporary challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, and global health crises, the lessons learned from history can guide us towards more effective strategies for sustainable development and resilience-building.

By embracing a proactive and holistic approach to preparedness, we can better equip ourselves to thrive in an uncertain and rapidly changing world.

Acknowledgement: Read the long version: Northland A 4,000-Mile Journey Along America`s Forgotten Border.

Porter Fox 2018 Pages: 10,11,12

Modern History 

This week five years ago

To tax and to please, 

no more than to love and to be wise,

 is not given to men.

- Edmund Burke

Title: The Urgency of Climate Action: Moving Forward from Conservative Inaction

Five years ago, amidst the implementation of a carbon tax in parts of Canada, the debate over climate change was heating up—both literally and figuratively.

The 4.4-cent increase in gas prices (April 1st ,2019) sparked outrage among opponents of emissions-pricing, yet the true costs of climate inaction were already manifesting in the form of unprecedented damages from extreme weather events.

The Insurance Board of Canada's $1.9-billion payout in 2018 due to weather-related damages paints a stark picture—one that cannot be ignored or dismissed as a mere inconvenience.

The narrative peddled by some leaders, particularly within the Canadian Conservative circles, that we must choose between environmental protection and economic prosperity is a false dichotomy. The reality is that addressing climate change is not only an ethical imperative but an economic necessity.

Study after study confirms that the costs of mitigating climate change now are significantly lower than the costs of dealing with its consequences later.

In 2019, an economist presented two choices: invest 1-2% of GDP in emission-reduction policies or face spending 5-20% of GDP on addressing extreme weather, health crises, and food security issues triggered by climate change.

Either way, the bill will come due, and the burden will fall disproportionately on certain communities.

Meanwhile, the Conservative response to this looming crisis has been underwhelming, to say the least. In 2019, leader Andrew Scheer was more preoccupied with taking gas-pump selfies than articulating a coherent climate-change plan. It was eternally forthcoming.

Fast forward to today, and we have Pierre Pollievre, aka "Harper 2.0," championing slogans like "axe the tax" without offering substantive solutions. His rallying cry for the "Freedom Convoy" to keep diesel rigs idle is emblematic of a party lost in denial.

The truth is, we cannot afford to pray our way out of this crisis. Wishful thinking won't stem rising sea levels or mitigate devastating wildfires.

What we need are leaders who understand the urgency of the moment and are willing to take bold, decisive action. Climate change is not a distant threat—it's here, impacting communities across Canada and around the world.

Moving forward, we must demand more from our political representatives. We need policies that prioritize sustainability and equity, that invest in renewable energy and green infrastructure, and that ensure a just transition for workers and vulnerable populations.

The costs of inaction are simply too high, and the time for meaningful change is now.

As we reflect on the lessons of the past five years, let us commit to forging a path toward a sustainable future—one where we no longer look in the rear-view mirror but instead focus on the road ahead, guided by science, compassion, and a sense of shared responsibility for generations to come.

The choice is clear: act decisively on climate change now, or pay the price later.

Acknowledgement: Globe & Mail