Lemmings

I have been thinking about owls,  their prey, and population cycles.  Per Wikipedia,  a population cycle is

a phenomenon where populations  rise and fall over a predictable period of time. There are some species where population numbers have reasonably predictable patterns of change although the full reasons for population cycles is one of the major unsolved ecological problems. There are a number of factors which influence population change such as availability of food, predators, diseases and climate.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Population_cycle

Climate change is affecting the habitat of humans.  See Calgary, floods.

Many Canadian cities and towns are ill-prepared for the rising frequency of catastrophic weather events like the southern Alberta floods, and it’s a problem that taxpayers will ultimately end up paying for, climate change experts say.   http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/06/26/f-climate-change-flooding-weather-preparation.html 

So what?  So,  - weather events on this scale are traumatic for those swept up (or away) in them.  And they're expensive.  Very expensive.    

Now, the province faces a potentially decade-long cleanup effort that could cost $5 billion by BMO Nesbitt Burns estimates. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/06/26/f-climate-change-flooding-weather-preparation.html

Would it not be prudent and sensible to acknowledge our impact on the climate and actually take effective steps to prevent and mitigate climate change?   After all, 

The problem of extreme weather will only become more dangerous. It has already become commonplace, destroying crops, riverbanks, homes, towns, factories and offices. Insurance providers, whether governments or corporations, are less willing and able to underwrite risks and compensate policy holders.  http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/blog/underestimate-climate-change-underfund-innovation

Of course it would.   Do lemmings think about maintaining their population at a level the natural resources can support?  Do they worry about the future of their children if they destroy their environment?  I dont' know if they do - but humans don't .  Or don't seem to.  Perhaps humanity has a  10,000 year population cycle.