Two Degrees

“How could her father be wrong about climate change, but right about everything else?”

Lars Kristiansen is a naturalist and knowledgeable outdoorsman, but he stubbornly denies that humans have any effect on nature. At the beginning of her story, Akira Kristiansen’s pending adulthood is reflected by her realization that while she learned almost everything she knows from him, he can still be very wrong.

“Momma bear will wreck you.”

Owen says this phrase jokingly to the tourists at Tundra Treks, but never imagines that he will have to face a momma bear in real life as the phrase foreshadows. It crosses his mind as he waits to be attacked and reflects his realization that his complacency about polar bears has gotten them into serious trouble.

“The Big One. The giant mythical hurricane that would destroy the entire southeast coast of Florida.”

For years, Miami residents have feared “The Big One” but it has never arrived until Reuben. This has made many people doubt it will ever come, it feels more like a legend than a real danger, illustrating the complacency that contributes to human-influenced climate change.