VIEWPOINTS
Saturday, May 22, 2021
JEFF
BLACKWOOD
UNDERSTANDING OUR
CHANGING CLIMATE
C
A5
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro
Kili has two major peaks — the big
one that we all know is called Kibo, and
the smaller one — at only 16,893 feet — is
Mawenzi. The peaks are very different in
that Kibo has all the glaciers and is basi-
cally an ash cone, and Mawenzi is solid
rock. Kibo is an easy walkup and Mawenzi
is a tough climb.
The first time I went up Kili was the
traditional tourist climb. It takes six days
for the 38-mile round trip and there are
three cabins along the way for sleeping.
Porters carry the loads and meals are
prepared for the tourist, so it is quite easy
just following along the trail and enjoying
the walk. The highest cabin on the third
day is at 15,430 feet at the base of the scree
slopes. The guide awakens you early in the
the guide I would like to go down into the
crater. He was skeptical.
“Do you think you can do this?” he
ANDREW
asked.
CLARK
Yes, I can.
SLICE OF LIFE
“Only one in about 1,000 people who
climb this mountain are able to do that,”
ave you ever climbed the highest
he said.
mountain on a continent? If not,
OK. I’m that one.
there is a good one waiting for you
“You’re sure?” he wondered.
in Tanzania.
Yes, I’m sure. So down we went. Kili
Mount Kilimanjaro — “Kili” to those
is not a dead volcano — she’s dormant.
that love her — is 19,341 feet high. The
Down in the crater there are fumaroles
name is a combination of two Swahili
blowing out sulfur-laden steam, and
words — Kilima means “mountain” and
surrounding them are solid blocks of pure
njaro mean “shining” — the Shining
sulfur that have precipitated out of the
steam. For the local Chagga tribe of people
Mountain. And with good reason. When
who live around the mountain that sulfur
we were Peace Corps volunteers in 1964
is an important and
it was capped year
expensive medicine, so
around with 80-foot-
“KILI IS NOT A DEAD VOLCANO — SHE’S
the guide was delighted
high blue-ice
glaciers with snow
DORMANT. DOWN IN THE CRATER THERE ARE to fill his knapsack
with blocks of sulfur
on top and it was
FUMAROLES BLOWING OUT SULFUR-LADEN
and make some good
magnificent but now,
money.
with climate change
STEAM, AND SURROUNDING THEM ARE
The second climb
eating away at it, the
was a wild-hare idea to
mountain is naked
SOLID BLOCKS OF PURE SULFUR THAT HAVE
do on a weekend. I did
rock. The shine is
PRECIPITATED OUT OF THE STEAM.”
the whole thing solo in
gone, and with it the
three days. The third
beauty.
morning, like 1 a.m., because the idea is to was an attempt at Mawenzi that aborted
I distinctly remember my first time to
be on top at sunrise. That last 4,000 feet is
due to lack of technical gear, the fourth
see Kili.
a long, slow trek through thin air.
I was a guide for some visitors, and the
We were traveling to northern Tanza-
nia on a bus, idly looking out the windows
fifth a successful conquest of the Mawenzi
I have large and efficient lungs, so
at the passing terrain. The day was broken
getting up to Uhuru Peak, the highest point summit.
Great adventure, and I’m still in love
white clouds with nothing special going
on the continent, was not a problem and
on. I glanced out the front and high up in
the view is wonderful — you’re seeing out with Kili.
If you decide to climb Kilimanjaro,
the sky in a small patch of clear sky was
over the tops of the clouds. Turning around
another white thing that did not look like a
and looking down into the crater there was google Kilimanjaro Climbing for a wealth
cloud — and I suddenly realized that it was the lovely little Castle Glacier, and then the of information. You’re on your way, and
happy summiting to you.
Kilimanjaro so very far above us. It was
true heart of the mountain, the concentric
———
stunningly beautiful. I instantly I fell in
rings going down to the Ash Pit, which
Dr. Andrew Clark is a livestock veteri-
love with her, and knew that I had to climb
is a 400-foot-deep vertically sided hole
narian with both domestic and international
that mountain and visit her summit. During that is the mouth of the mountain. I really
work experience who lives in Pendleton.
the next several years I did — five times.
wanted to see all of that up close, so I told
Climate
justice for H
the most
vulnerable
OVID-19 has taught us many
lessons. We have learned how
vulnerable underserved commu-
nities, people of color, indigenous people,
women, elder care facilities and prisons
can be. They have been disproportionately
affected by sickness, hospitalization, death
and financial stress.
While some at the upper income levels
have fared better than others, many of those
at the lower end still struggle and are on the
edge of health and financial crisis. There are
similarities between what we have experi-
enced with COVID and what the future may
bring with a warming climate.
As documented by NASA, 2016 and
2020 are the warmest years in recorded
history. More people and more nations
are committed to dealing with a changing
climate than ever before. The impacts of a
changing climate are diverse and, unfortu-
nately, disproportionate.
Climate justice highlights disparities
in how our communities and governments
serve our citizens. We have seen these
disparities in our responses to COVID-19
infections, precautions, and vaccine deliver-
ies. If we do not learn how to better address
these inequities, climate change will dispro-
portionately affect underserved populations.
Climate justice is more than a term.
It is a movement to address inequities in
how climate change can affect vulnerable
communities.
“Climate change is happening now and
to all of us. No country or community is
immune,” according to UN Secretary-Gen-
eral Antonio Guterres. “And, as is always
the case, the poor and the vulnerable are the
first to suffer and the worst hit.”
It is ironic and deeply unfair that people
whose lifestyles contribute the least to
climate change will suffer the most from its
effects.
Longer, drier, hotter summers will be
more difficult and likely less productive for
those working outside. At home and in the
office, hot days are an inconvenience for
many, but most of us can just turn up the air
conditioning, a privilege not shared by many
with lower incomes. Recent research has
shown that low-income neighborhoods often
experience as much as 7 degree Fahrenheit
increase in temperature over more affluent
communities, due to increased amounts of
asphalt and concrete and less shade.
Heat, respiratory illnesses, insect-
borne diseases and other health challenges
increase in response to elevated tempera-
tures. To many, hotter, drier summers and
more intense storms are an inconvenience.
When you are living on the edge, however,
these stresses can be disastrous.
As many organizations and communities
develop diversity, equity and inclusion poli-
cies, there is an opportunity to turn words
into actions when preparing for future
impacts of a changing climate. We continue
to address challenges in providing access to
health care, education, housing and wages
that support families.
We are more aware of distrust in govern-
ment and communities relating to systemic
racism. Underserved communities often
struggle to influence policies and practices
influencing their lives and well-being. What
many of us take for granted can be barriers
for others. The more we understand these
barriers, the better we can embrace mean-
ingful equity and inclusion in addressing
issues, such as a warming climate.
Solutions should meet the needs of the
people most impacted. To do this, we need
a concerted effort to listen and under-
stand those needs. Which combination
of language, housing, access to afford-
able health care, education, food security
and other issues do our underserved and
low-income communities see as their prior-
ities? How can trust be improved? Only
by increasing our understanding of these
priorities and issues can effective adaptation
and mitigation strategies be developed for
climate justice.
With COVID we are establishing a new
normal for how we work, educate and inter-
act within our communities. A changing
climate will bring new normals as well. As
we are learning with COVID, underserved
communities and lower-income populations
are more vulnerable than most. Those who
suffer the most tend to be those with the
fewest options. Our region is fortunate to
have many diverse communities.
What we are experiencing with COVID
can help us learn how to deal with societal
inequities. We have the capacity to reduce
the impacts of a changing climate on our
most vulnerable citizens if we have the
collective will.
———
Jeff Blackwood spent his career with the
U.S. Forest Service and is a member of East-
ern Oregon Climate Change Coalition, a
nonprofit dedicated to sharing science-based
information on climate change.
East Oregonian
Questions are the pathway to comprehension
SCOTT
SMITH
THE EDUCATION CORNER
U
nderstanding the world around us
is the goal we want all our children
to achieve. We want them to under-
stand and explain what they see, hear and
read. It should be really simple. You see it,
you talk about it, and you can write about
it when you’re older. For some reason,
it just doesn’t work that way for every-
one. Problem solving is a natural ability
humans can accomplish. Yet, many people
need a little nurturing to become a master
at the skill of understanding (comprehend-
ing) and problem-solving (vocal, written
or demonstration).
One method for developing prob-
lem-solving skills in children is through
using questioning. Questioning activates
the part of the brain used for problem solv-
ing. It doesn’t matter what age, whether
the child is 2 or 22, using questioning
strategies aids in fostering everyone’s
ability to problem solve when having to
face a situation they need to resolve on
their own. Example: Which do you eat
faster with, a fork or spoon? This type of
questioning asks the brain to use existing
information to respond to a new problem.
Sounds simple, but it’s harder than
you think! Living in a fast-moving world,
it sometimes feels like we have to get
things done quickly. Therefore, we often
tell or give the child resolutions to issues
so we are able to move on. We do the
problem solving for the child, therefore,
they quickly learn that in order to get the
information they need, they simply ask.
Frustration hits when a child has not had
practice, is asked a question and expected
to respond orally or in writing, and is at a
loss for what to do. Hurried adults become
frustrated and often give a response some-
thing like, “Just figure it out!”
Have you provided the opportunities
for your child to know how to figure things
out, or have you assumed they should
know? The child is showing they have not
developed their problem-solving abil-
ity and, without prior practice, everyone
becomes frustrated. The teaching moment
is now. Use questions to help them draw
their own conclusions, right or wrong, and
learn from the experience.
Starting with giving the child a simple
choice is best. Remember, it is okay if
they choose something different than what
you think is best. Many times they will,
but this is where learning takes place. So
if they have a choice of pop or ice cream
and they choose pop, but others have ice
cream, they may change their mind after
everyone gets their treat. You just have to
remind them that it was their choice for
the pop, and next time they might be able
to choose ice cream. I can almost guaran-
tee there may be a tantrum — but remem-
ber, don’t solve it for them. Don’t offer to
trade. Now, if they ask you to trade, they
are starting to use their own problem solv-
ing, and it becomes your choice whether to
trade or not. This method works no matter
the child’s age.
Asking questions such as, “Do you
think that’s the best choice?” “Which do
you think would go faster?” or “What
would you do with all that money?” forces
them to trigger the thinking process and
go into problem solving. The struggle
comes in guiding them with questions in
order to draw their conclusions. The world
all of a sudden moves into slow motion,
and the child is faced with questions. The
No. 1 thing the child is fearing is making
the incorrect decision. Thus, we move into
the child’s world of decision making using
questions, helping them make their deci-
sion or draw their own conclusions. When
given more and more opportunities to
allow them to nurture the skill of problem
solving, they will get quicker.
If you have a child you notice is strug-
gling with problem solving, choose a
time to work with them. Trying to have a
teaching moment when the whole family
is waiting might be difficult for everyone.
Seek out a time you are able to spend time
with them and guide them in developing
their problem-solving skills. You might
consider starting with one situation each
day, allowing them to make their own
decision.
Start asking questions, and you’ll see
your child’s ability to problem solve,
discuss, and even write about situations
make remarkable growth and their ability
to answer school questions as well.
———
Dr. Scott Smith has more than 40 years
as a Umatilla County educator and serves
on the Decoding Dyslexia-OR board as their
parent/teacher liaison.
Controlling allergies the key to a healthier life
JOHN
WINTERS
HEALTH CARE ESSENTIALS
W
e are all sailing in a sea of
microbes. Allergies to pollen,
dust, fumes and foods can sink
us. Spring is especially rough for allergy
sufferers. Millions of different viruses
exist, a couple hundred of which cause
illness.
Our skin is covered with microbes,
mostly friendly. Our gut is populated with
trillions of bacteria, most of which are
beneficial. Healthy soil teems with all sorts
of microbes. The daunting and crucial task
for your body is to keep out the bad guys
while leaving the good guys alone.
This task is made more difficult by
the addition of new triggers in our world.
There are more than 85,000 chemi-
cals registered with the EPA. Ironically,
over-sanitization and overuse of prescrip-
tion antibiotics weakens our immune
systems. Toddlers have a habit of putting
everything in their mouths, which may
seem disgusting, but this actually trains
and strengthens the immune system.
Early exposure to microbes reduces
problems later.
Allergies have increased in recent
decades; thirty percent of adults and 40%
of children currently suffer from allergies.
Spring’s pollen adds to the load, causing
red eyes and sneezing. Allergies occur
when the body overreacts to a harmless
substance. Coughing, sneezing, and water-
ing eyes are the body’s attempts to remove
the irritant. Intense reactions are unneces-
sary and can even be unhealthy.
So why do some people’s immune
systems make such a big deal out of minor
irritants? There are many reasons someone
may have allergies. They may be eating
foods that trigger a reaction, breathing dust
or pollen, or coming in contact with molds
or chemicals. Triggers can assault us from
any direction. The other variable here is
your general state of health — how full is
your boat? Science understands the many
allergens that exist, how they affect us, and
how our bodies react.
Healthy skin, sinuses, liver, immune
system and even the gut all contribute to
smooth sailing.
When treating allergies you can take
a couple different tacks. You can identify
and eliminate the irritant, or improve the
body’s response with mitigation. I suggest
you look at both and do what is easiest first!
Various allergy tests exist, but the results
aren’t always helpful.
I found a particular “Food Intolerance
Test” most useful. It’s always smart to
improve your general health, since your
skin, sinuses, liver, gut and immune system
interact in so many ways. Other easy steps
include putting a HEPA air cleaner in your
bedroom and cleaning up your home envi-
ronment. Rugs, curtains, stuffed toys and
bedding all harbor pollen and dust mites.
Consider removing the rugs and
curtains and cover the pillows and mattress
with mite-proof cases. Buy a water filter
for access to plenty of cheap chlorine-free
water.
A clean diet is an important factor in
allergies, but is harder to attain. Modern
diets are often filled with processed foods,
which are in turn filled with artificial
ingredients new to the human diet. The
most common food allergies are dairy,
soy, corn, wheat and eggs. You could use a
“Rotation Diet” and perhaps find the prob-
lem food.
Keep in mind additives like artificial
colors, flavors and preservatives can also
cause problems, which is why minimally
processed, preferably organic foods are
healthiest. You can use an App called
“Content Checked” to scan the package
barcode for product details.
Allergies are a symptom of an over-
loaded boat. All “cargo” onboard deter-
mines its seaworthiness. Springtime
pollens add to the load of all your other
challenges, be they foods, poor sleep, stress
or an inactive life. Allergies can further
load a system, leading to more significant,
deeper problems. Any irritant you throw
overboard will help you float better.
———
John Winters is a naturopathic physician,
who recently retired after operating a prac-
tice in La Grande since 1992.