Ursus Maritimus, The polar bear

Polar bear – the largest land predator on Earth... and one of the first standing to lose its natural habitat to climate change.

We’re living in times of change. We always seem too. Some changes are man-caused struggles for control and power, like the wars that scar our history too often; others are natural disasters caused by the Mother Nature herself. Change is important for human race. After all, it’s the greatest change of all – the Progress – that got us where we are now, that gave us our comfortable lifestyles and ability to do more than hunt for food most of our lives. Yet, as any change, the progress had its price. It’s not for me to decide whether we’ve paid too much. Is the loss of thousands of species too much? Is the loss of virgin forests, clean rivers and lakes, unspoilt natural resources too much? Could have the progress been achieved for a lower fee, if only we cared more, showed more respect for the planet that bore us? I’m afraid it could have cost less. I’m afraid history has already proven that there is always somebody who wouldn’t let simple moral concerns stand between them and what they ultimately want. Whatever the price.

Global warming

Global warming is the great crisis of our time. Up till recently, the topic was considered controversial, unfounded, sometimes even laughable. A lot of research went into studying the global warming phenomenon, the effect of greenhouse gases, our own impact on the planet and now vast majority of scientific world agrees. There is a problem and it can become a catastrophe if nothing is done about it.

Of course, our planet saw a lot of catastrophes in its lifetime. Even more so, a popular theory suggests that global warming is normal. We’re coming out of the latest ice age and the world is warming up. It’s perfectly natural. Yes, some animals are going to become extinct because of severe changes to their habitats, but, hey, that happened before. Not our fault. Nothing we can do about. Earth survived previous cataclysms and it will survive this one.

Dealing with loss

Before I begin today’s blog, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your kindness and support. It’s been a hard month and your kind words and good wishes guided me through the darkest moments, giving me strength and giving me hope.

When I first wrote an outline to the Gardener, condemning my main character, Alan Walker, to losing the people he loved, little did I know how close I would get to going through that myself. I say close and yes that means my dad is getting better. Oh so very slowly, but better nonetheless. Over the past few weeks he’s been moved to a good hospital, had neurosurgery and is now officially stable, though he will remain in a drug-induced coma for the next 3-4 weeks. His doctors say he has a chance for full recovery, which I know he does because he’s a fighter. He’s always been one.

Leaving to care for dad

I have bad news this week. I’ve got a phone call from my mum the day before yesterday while at work. It took a few minutes to understand through her tears what she was saying. It took a few more minutes for what she was saying to actually sink in. My father has had a stroke and he’s been taken to a hospital. He’s unconscious and his condition is critical.

I’m writing these words from a public access Internet terminal at Luton airport. I admit that my main reason is to take my mind off the delayed flight and I apologise for using you as a shoulder to cry on. Those of you who followed my blog from the beginning know that my family is far away. Leaving and working thousands of miles away from them always made their wellbeing a concern. I sometimes wondered what I would do if... How would I cope? Well, there was no question this time. Not a single doubt. I’m going to be with my dad for as long as it takes. I’m going to be there and I know deep in my heart that it will make a difference.

I will not be writing for a while, but I will get back in touch when everything’s okay. Thank you for being there for me.

9/11

Today is September 12th – my mother’s birthday – the day I loved from early childhood. I always remember making her presents myself, with my own hands. I’m sure they were never as amazing as I thought they were, but my mum’s face, her big bright smile, always convinced me otherwise. In 2001 I came to Britain. It was the first time I would miss her birthday. A month before the date, I’ve decided to create a website for her. A website full of best recipes out there, focusing heavily on deserts, which I knew my mum would particularly appreciate. I spent my lunch breaks in the library, using student internet access to get the recipes for the site. I was determined: we’d spend the day apart, but we would never forget it. What I never forgot was September 11th.