As with any other, this fever is a sign that something is wrong. It is the outward symptom of an illness, an infection that’s been allowed to fester for far too long.
When humans have a fever, we pay attention. We track the temperature and we make every effort to keep it under control. We understand that if a fever spirals too high, it is a medical emergency. We know full well that if we can’t control the fever, we die.
If a doctor is aware that their patient has a high fever and they don’t attempt to intervene, we would recognize it as medical malpractice. If the patient were at risk of dying and they stood by and did nothing, we would call it criminal negligence.
If parents or caretakers don’t try to get their child help when they develop a high fever, we would call it abuse, and potentially negligent homicide if the little one doesn’t make it.
What do we call it when the planet’s caretakers not only refuse to help but keep actively cranking up the heat?
If you’re thinking you can turn to the scientific community for a modicum of hope, don’t bother. They’ve given up on limiting warming to 1.5 degrees, and they’re now reporting that we’re more likely to hit 2.5 or even 3 by the end of the century.
The reason? World governments and corporations are looking at the data, shrugging their shoulders, and continuing with Business As Usual.
It’s not that the people in power don’t know what’s going on, they just don’t care. They think their money will offer them protection, and allow them to skate through the coming calamities untouched and free.