May 5, 2026

by Dr. Plastic Picker

“The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, known as the AMOC, functions like a vast conveyor belt, transporting heat, salt and freshwater through the ocean and influencing climate, weather and sea levels around the planet.” https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/16/climate/atlantic-ocean-circulation-collapse-update

Did you watch the movie Independence Day? This actually happened. The collapse of the North Atlantic Current. Europe and Northern parts of the United States were plummeted into an Ice Age. A band of young kids had to trek across the frozen tundra of the new world to rejoin loved ones. And now on CNN and on my Instagram feed, there is climate scientists data that everything is accelerating and that it will happen sooner than we thought.

Which is why I am saying no to the semi-annoying person who contacted me about a book offer? I’m honestly not even sure if that offer is legitimate. But I don’t have time to write a book, or let him ghost write a book for me or about me. I have things to do. Like climate work to do.

As a mother, what I know is that this catastrophic event will happen within my old child’s lifetime. So I have to do everything in my maternal power to stop or delay this. So I’m saying no to the book offer, because that book will just be put in the bargain book bin anyway at some point. I don’t have that big of an ego, to think my life deserves the time required to write a book. A blogpost, maybe?

But there is so much climate work to do. I have to send several emails about the Tijuana Sewage Crisis. Did you know that you can see the Tijuana Sewage Pollution from SPACE? Geez Louise people! It’s really bad. Can you imagine being a blue whale and swimming near that gunk! It’s not good for anyone or any-animal. I need to email the San Diego County Medical Magazine about two articles the H3SD organizing committee wants to write, one re AI and one re One Health Concept. I have to write a letter of recommendation for a deserving student who is working on two big projects that we have going on. And I have to start commenting on an article regarding fast fashion. See lots of writing and reading, just not a self glorifying book about myself. The entire point of this blog is to try to help stop the climate crisis, while still working as a pediatrician and mothering my children.

Being a mother is really powerful. I really don’t want to imagine my children being grandparents themselves and living through the collapse of the North Atlantic Current and the world plunged into the next ice age!