Storms

A SHORT STORY

The date is the 17th of November in the year 2046. Storms have been brewing on all sides of Zach’s station.

Scientists had for decades predicted the nasty conditions that Zach was now witnessing. But it was still kind of weird to experience the ferociousness of it in real time.

For the past 14 years, Zach had been stationed at the northernmost climate tracking outpost. Lonely but rewarding. Repetitive but challenging. Zach liked the job. It aligned with his lifelong fascination with weather and the science that analyzes and predicts it.

Zach’s education and experience were in demand. Climate change had occurred at a faster rate than predicted even just a few years ago. Unpredictable factors had accelerated the ramifications from carbon emissions. What had been thought to possibly occur in 100 years was now taking place in the present.

Earth in 2046 was at times a hellscape, at least in certain parts of the world. But no part of the world was immune.

Not every outcome was horrible. Well, yes, they were. Ultimately, it was all rather bad. World leaders and social pressure hadn’t gotten emission reductions and adaptations under control soon enough. This had suddenly sped up the implementation of adaptations in the most at-risk cities and towns. But everyone knew they were going to be fucked.