on this heat wave

the heat wave across europe, undeniably hotter than it would have been without humans burning fossil fuels, is pressing, pushing, pulling on humanity, revealing its edges—an oil world, a multi-headed monster, a deepening polycrisis. lobbyists enter classrooms of young kids and sell them a life of luxury while people pass out, drown in bodies of water, and overheat in their homes. and of course it’s in the news now, because it’s europe, and eyes widen to see this continent heat up quickly, as though it’s any different for southeast asia or latin america when they have a climate event or a natural disaster.

regardless, human life pulses on. in vienna, people stand under misters, dance in pools, ponds, and relieving rain, and hug each other, even when their bodies are too sticky to do so. i go to the cinema often, i rewatch movies i have seen and loved before. there is a man playing a mournful harmonica in the train station, even while he’s sweating my eyes meet his, we smile. music means we are still alive, still fighting.

adaptation is a must, a need, an onus on those who believe in humanity. my politics student mind scans mitigation policy papers for answers. cooling centers and air conditioned public spaces balance with a transition away from fossil fuels. we truly do have so many of the answers, it is compromised not by lack of knowledge but instead by negligent leadership who cares first about money and power rather than collective need.

we hit the same long-bludgeoned points, we yearn for change. for now, we have to keep each other going, drink our water, stay vigilant. and then, we have to fight for a better future.

below: a moment in a museum, hiding from the heat