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.