Those people who shoot endless time-lapse films of unfurling roses and tulips have the wrong idea. They should train their cameras instead on the melting of pack ice, the green filling of ponds, the tidal swings…They should film the glaciers of Greenland, some of which creak along at such a fast clip that even the dogs bark at them. They should film the invasion of the southernmost Canadian tundra by the northernmost spruce-fir forest, which is happening right now at the rate of a mile every 10 years. When the last ice sheet receded from the North American continent, the earth rebounded 10 feet. Wouldn't that have been a sight to see?
The speaker criticizes those who focus on filming slow, beautiful natural phenomena like blooming flowers, suggesting they miss more urgent and dynamic changes in the environment. Instead of capturing serene time-lapses of roses and tulips, they should be documenting the dramatic transformations in our world, such as melting glaciers and shifting ecosystems. These changes are crucial indicators of our planet's health and urgency of climate change.
Highlighting the rapid changes occurring in nature, the speaker refers to specific examples like the advancing spruce-fir forest in Canada and the shifting glaciers in Greenland. These are powerful symbols of climate change and showcase the significant alterations in habitats and landscapes. Reflecting on past events, like the receding of the last ice sheet, emphasizes the transient nature of our planet and serves as a reminder of the swift and sometimes alarming pace of environmental change.
