EDITORIAL

THE WISDOM OF AUTUMN

Sharmila Bertin

As everyone learns from an early age, autumn is the season following summer and preceding winter. The vegetation surrounding us is now wrapped in a coppery coat. The grey clouds spill their burden of rainwater on our heads more regularly and the jumpers appear in our wardrobes. So far, "nothing new under the sun", to quote Solomon's words*, supposedly spoken three thousand years ago. Yes, but (because there is always a "yes, but"...), after the heat waves we experienced from the end of spring to the end of summer, one might wonder in what state will our autumn be. Will it be "Colchicums in the meadows" or "Under the sun, just below"? Will it be a light cashmere or a heavy wool? Summer extension or winter pre-release? I don't even dare to inquire about the forecasts made by climate experts, because these weather changes make me so anxious.

I'll sum it up in three words for those who may have spent a holiday on Mars or in a cave somewhere on the planet: heatwave - drought - wildfire. On top of this, there are those who are talking about going back to heating with coal this winter. I'm not going to open an environmentalist debate here, but just ask a question: do you love your children, your parents, brothers, sisters, cousins? Because I do love mine. Even though I might not be the perfect citizen, I do try to make efforts on a daily basis, whether it be in my consumption habits or in educating my children. Because they need to be aware of the state of our Earth, that the unbearable temperatures we experienced this summer are not only likely to become the norm but could even get worse. The same goes for the lack of water and the burning forests. My wish for this autumn (and it's my birthday soon) is that we shake things up to preserve the environment. It's no longer a question of raising awareness, we're well past that stage, but of acting so that there is a "tomorrow" for humanity. I'm not just referring to the little people like me, but to the big companies and industry leaders whose core business involves timekeeping. There are so many things we take for granted and so many habits we should adopt right now, such as controlling our production, banning waste, cleaning up our environment, avoiding unnecessary travel, opting for recyling and upcycling or even turning off the lights in our office when we leave at night. If we all get involved, there is strength in numbers, we will succeed, together, in protecting our Earth and our future. Because if there is no tomorrow, there will be no time either. And yet I am confident. I know we will make it.

* Solomon (± 970 BC - 931 BC), king of Israel and biblical figure