The human toll from our climate emergency fires is so shocking that it is easy to forget that millions of other life forms are also being displaced, killed, or severely impacted by firestorms. Wildlife, that is all plants and animals that sustain life, is under siege. Not just in California, but all over the world.
There is something about the brewing perfect storm of politics, food production, wages, equality rights, habitat loss, nations preparing for war, geopolitical priorities. All these things mean we are neglecting birds.
BIRDS.
Maybe one way to see it is this: Polly got a Poly crisis.
Specifically, today, chickens. When family members come to together on holidays they typically gnaw on other animals like turkeys, goose, duck, quail, and more, but most, especially: chickens. Chicks emerge from eggs so cute and fluffy that they end up as iconic, “Peeps” marshmallow decor at Easter time.
But we’re still in Winter times, so most of the chicks from last Easter time end up in fast food menus because, oh wow, do we love greasy wings, and nuggets, and chicken tenders. But, we also eat Coq Au Vin or Chicken Marbella, Marsala, or Chicken Cordon Bleu, etc. That is, when we are patient enough to slow down and ingest said former chick with a fork and a fine white wine.
The spreading virus, H5N1, is particularly troubling. It is easy to forget that while fires devastate whole neighborhoods, the bird flu is also spreading like wildfire. And, not just in California. Currently there are almost 70 cases of humans with H5N1 symptoms. One has died.
Add to that agricultural workers are mostly immigrants threatened with deportation. And, then there are millions of field workers who produce the corn that fuels both chicken feed and obesity, heart disease and more. Add to that, the political implications of trying to suggest we ease up on the corn. And, throw into that perfect brewing storm, the implications of tariffs, sociopolitical clout, economic woes of inflation.
The Departments of Health also face critical challenges. More attention is being paid to vaccines right now, and their critical effectiveness, But we should also be concerned about things such as raw milk that can result in more H5N1 virus spreading.
The fires in California are catastrophic. This new era is perhaps, at last, the rooster crowing of a new morning we must face.
To face all these challenges as separate issues can never work. We have to see chickens, and all birds, as associated with crops, (such as corn) farm work and workers, diet and health, soil protection, habitat restoration, public health in general, regulation, conservation, and integration.
Let’s not put the chicken before the price of eggs, but let’s understand that the price of eggs is wholly dependent upon the health of the chicken and the planet.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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Photo credit: Clark Young on Unsplash
