Don Sutherland's photos

A pallid sunrise created by the wildfire smoke that originated in the western United States and Canada (Larchmont, New York)—July 20, 2021 Climate scientists have long highlighted the overwhelming evidence that greenhouse gas pollution is driving a warming of the Earth’s climate. They have long warned that extreme weather and related events—heat waves, drought, floods, and wildfires—would result from ongoing climate change. Greenhouse gas polluters knowingly attacked the truth and deliberately pushed propaganda aimed at paralyzing policy. Policy makers remained oblivious 2021 has already seen an unprecedented heat wave crash upon North America’s Pacific Northwest; unsparing drought send reservoirs in California and Utah’s Great Salt Lake to record lows; exploding wildfires and fire tornadoes pillage parts of western North America and Siberia; terrible floods ravage parts of Europe, India, Nigeria, Russia, and China; and drought-driven famine stalk Madagascar’s helpless population like vultures awaiting death. The suspects —those who bear primary responsibility for the climate catastrophes of this year and the even greater ones that lie ahead—are well-known. Yet, in many countries, policy makers remain enthralled by the siren song of those fossil fuel polluters. Many governments subsidize the expansion of these increasingly destructive enterprises and activities. People bear the enormous and growing burden of the costs and consequences of climate change. The lifeless morning of July 20 is just the latest reminder that the world is now at, and perhaps beyond, a pivotal moment. That moment requires courageous, committed, and ethical leadership that, perhaps for the first time, puts the wellbeing of society ahead of the interests of the amoral architects of destructive climate change. There is no refuge for the world’s peoples from climate change. There are no permanent resting places for the world’s peoples. The intervals between extreme events are temporary respites. Justice requires that there be no respite for the polluters. November’s COP26 conference offers the world’s leaders a renewed chance to chart a better course for humanity. Eloquent words and bold promises won’t matter. Only credible commitments anchored in enacted policy changes will matter. Examples include eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, permanently suspending the awarding of new oil and gas exploration and drilling leases, shutting down the coal industry, providing investments for rapidly building and scaling clean energy technologies, levying a fee on the greenhouse gas polluters for their pollution, and establishing binding deadlines for the transition toward achieving global net zero emissions. There still remains time for a reasonable transition. However, each day of relative inaction only squanders the slender amount of time that now separates relatively painless transition from painful disruption. The world’s leaders can still secure humanity’s future. At COP26, they should rise to the occasion. What course will they choose?

Glacier overlooking Fjallsárlón, Iceland—July 28, 2016. The unprecedented heatwave that melted all-time temperature records in British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington provided a fresh and recurring reminder of what is at stake as climate change continues. To date, the recent episodes of shocking heat occurred in Europe on two occasions during summer 2019, Siberia in 2020, the U.S. Southwest in summer 2020, the U.S. Southwest in mid-June and then the Pacific Northwest in late June. Nevertheless, the status quo still stubbornly resists.

Just after sunrise during an annual eclipse (Larchmont, New York)—June 10, 2021. An annular eclipse is a rare type eclipse that occurs when the moon is at the farthest point in its orbit around Earth.

Tulips at the New York Botanical Garden (Bronx, New York)—May 15, 2021

Assorted blossoms at the New York Botanical Garden (Bronx, New York)—May 8, 2021

Spring landscape at the New York Botanical Garden (Bronx, New York)—April 24, 2021

A sea of daffodils brightens the New York Botanical Garden (Bronx, New York)—April 10, 2021

Marshlands Conservancy (Rye, New York) during a snowstorm—February 7, 2021 Two additional images from this storm are below:

Manor Park after a light snowfall (Larchmont, New York)—January 27, 2021

New York Botanical Garden (Bronx, New York)—November 8, 2020. The temperature rose to a near record high 75°F (24°C).

Chrysanthemums at the annual Japanese Chrysanthemum show at the New York Botanical Garden (Bronx, New York)—October 10, 2020

Tropical Storm Isaias batters Manor Park’s Umbrella Point with high winds, periods of heavy rain and pounding waves (Larchmont, New York)—August 4, 2020. Isaias passed west of Larchmont with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph (113 kph). The storm brought down, uprooted and snapped numerous trees. Some tree damage: Manor Park (Larchmont, New York) St. Thomas Episcopal Church (Mamaroneck, New York)

Double rainbow at Manor Park (Larchmont, New York)—June 29, 2020

Manor Park (Larchmont, New York)—April 30, 2020. April ended with stormy weather. The highest monthly temperature in New York City was just 68°F (20.0°C). That was the coldest April monthly temperature since 1940. The stormy weather was perhaps a fitting symbol for the COVID-19 “storm” that has been raging and taking a terrible toll. But amidst all that darkness, there have been displays of beauty, too. That beauty was on display to a message one small business owner left for her customers: Please remember to take all your precautions in staying healthy and safe. Do take this time to do something you enjoy whether it be doing your crossword puzzles, or painting, dancing or singing out loud, watching a movie or reading a book, sewing or knitting maybe crocheting… Stay connected and reach out to those who are alone and in need for someone to talk to. As for the moms and dad who are taking care of your children and working from home, enjoy this time you hae with them, these are special gifted times to you… [T] here is always tomorrow, we’ve been all through tough times before with prayers, hope and faith we will make it through together. I can’t wait until we see each other again to celebrate life together and share our stories. Love Gisèle & Staff But there was something more. She added, “Should you need someone to talk to I am only a phone call away, I will be checking in… I am always here for you.” Along with that was her phone number.

Prambanan Temple Compounds (Prambanan-Tlogo, Indonesia)—August 16, 2018. Prambanan Temple Compounds was built during the 10th century A.D. A few structures date back to the 9th Century A.D. It is Indonesia’s largest Hindu temple complex devoted to Shiva. The rubble in the foreground is the result of a strong earthquake that struck on May 27, 2006. Prambanan Temple Compounds is a UNESCO World Heritage Site .

Sunrise at Manor Park (Larchmont, New York)—December 26, 2019

View of the LuEsther T. Mertz Library at the New York Botanical Garden (Bronx, New York)—December 3, 2019

Great Horned Owl on display at the New York Botanical Garden (Bronx, New York)—November 9, 2019