PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • September 22, 2021
Throughout human history, empires have fallen due to the convergence of multiple threats forming a perfect storm that undermines their stability. In the past several months, Americans have witnessed unprecedented fires, a once-in-500-years hurricane, a disastrous evacuation from a failed 20-year war and a legislative revolt in Texas. And these events come after 19 months of global pandemic and four years of a divisive presidency that culminated in a violent coup attempt. America may be on the edge of a perfect storm. Unlike the Egyptians in 1177 B.C., when civilization in the entire Mediterranean basin collapsed, we have the science and technology to mitigate the climate crisis, as long as we have the political will. Even though things change, hopefully they don’t have to stay the same. ~ Richard McWilliams, Yarmouth