Global Warming is Weird
by Tao
Back in the day, scientists noticed abruptly changing weather patterns over the planet. Since much of it had to do with warming temperatures, the phrase “global warming” was born. This was unfortunate because as time passed and studies continued, the trends began to look a lot more weird than warm. Cold when it was supposed to be warm, warm where it’s supposed to be cold. Extreme temperature shifts, droughts in wet areas, then flooding. We started referring to the problem mmore accurately as “global climate change”.
But out there in the mainstream, it didn’t fully stick. Many people, when asked about climate change issues think of warming. So, when many parts of the world experience below normal temps, above normal snowfall – as in the U.S. this year – there is a false sense of security – a hope that we were wrong, a unjustified sigh of relief. I know because I’m tempted to feel the same way.
After a several years of variations of drought and heat, we’ve been soaked with rain and freezing our butts off here in NC this Winter. I wish I could let myself believe we bought some time when it comes to the consequences we are facing, but I would be giving into our favorite human coping mechanism, denial. And denial is a powerful tool, as I pointed out here.
Johnathan Hiskes, on Grist.org, asks us to consider the smart and scientific explanations on his post here.
Stay warm everyone. I hope it snows in Vancouver. Most of all, don’t get fearful. Get forceful. Make change happen.
Tags: global weirding
February 12th, 2010 at 8:22 am
Thanks for opening this door/window? of opportunity.
Global Climate Change is the status quo. Weather patterns have, and will to continue to vary, arguably with the “help” of human activity. Human activity is not so much the “cause” of these, but the species that proclaims its misfortune on natural events. We KNOWINGLY build cities on 50- and 100- year flood plains. We KNOWINGLY build cities on coastal area susceptable to tropical weather and hurricanes. We KNOWINGLY build cities in acrtic areas. normally inhabitable by distinct(going extinct,) animal species. We KNOWINGLY build cities in historically drought-prone areas that cannot possibly support the water demands of its inhabitants. We KNOWINGLY build cities on active tectonic areas, hoping we’ll get by the big one. We KNOWINGLY build these cities; mega-cities, in concentrations that these natural events will cause maximum loss of life and property damage. We KNOWINGLY choose to live in geographic area that will require air conditioning, or artificial heat year-round to make it comfortable for our fragile being to be “comfortable.”
Where on this Earth is the ideal climate, where humans could live and work without artificial climate adaptations? So easy, a cave man can do it. Nothing easy about that. Ambient temperature in caves is around 55°F. As is spring water on the chilly side, for anything but drinking.
Pre-humans evolved in the south-central rift-valley area of African continent. At least, that’s where we find continuity. What was the climate like then, and there? If we look at where indiginous peoples live today, that’s probably the closest to ideal climate, on the warm side, drier, inland, open-range to rain-forest settings. Abundant wildlife, close to nature’s daily, and yearly timetable.
It’s too bad we outgrew this.