Monday, November 11, 2013

Climate Change: Scary Numbers, Scary Maps

Obviously our thoughts and prayers right now are with the people of the Philippines, who are dealing with the calamity of Typhoon Haiyan.  Although, as we know, climate change doesn’t cause individual weather events, it seems to be the scientific consensus (reinforced by everyday observation) that scary events are getting scarier and more common.
And speaking of scary, the latest predictions for the longer term just keep getting grimmer.  Do you find numbers or maps more compelling?  If you’re a numbers person, the latest report from the World Meteorological Organization will give you a chill.  The report is here, but the gist is in the first sentence of the press release: “The amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached a new record high in 2012, continuing an upward and accelerating trend which is driving climate change and will shape the future of our planet for hundreds and thousands of years.” 
Want to see a chilling set of maps?  Try these from the National Geographic!

I continue to anticipate (and push for) a paradigm shift in national consciousness on this issue.  It’s got to be sooner, not later.

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