I could not help but notice how Dr. Rex’s presentation had a small tint of “having to prove” something. At some extent, he “had to prove” that small streams had a significant importance and, do not misunderstand me, I agree with him, they are indeed important. In fact, I think that the audience (mostly people related to the academia) believed it as well, is “easy” to deliver a message like this with people that had heard information alike. But now, I’m thinking about the masses, I’m thinking about the “common citizen” and how hard might be to prove to these people that small streams matter.

When it comes down to talk about climate change, most people would expect dramatic scenarios like tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes and other catastrophes with fatal consequences. Perhaps we are so used to think that humankind is enormous -like a giant- and not even something as big as a meteor impact would do the job for destroying it. What could a small stream flow impact on us?

How big does it have to be so people feel vulnerable? how big does it have to be so people realize that there might be no point of return? if a small stream doesn’t matter that much, or a change of 0.72º C is not significant enough perhaps we are not fully understanding the way this planet works, we are just not reading the rules. Because yes, indeed, is only a small river, but there are plenty, tons of them, and not only here but elsewhere. all over the planet and they are reflecting something, a change. Maybe if a small “insignificant” river can change, we “enormous, clever” humans can as well.

I found the presentation amazing as I’ll be talking about snowmelt on a hydrologic basin. I do wish to have to opportunity to not only measure these small features but also of spreading the word, increasing the awareness.

Thank you for reading,

Sergio