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Ear to the Ground

The Globe Continues to Warm

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Posted on Nov 16, 2006

Scientists have noted alarming trends in the arctic that continue to indicate a rise in global temperature, which could ultimately lead to catastrophe: “There have been regional warming periods before. Now we’re seeing arctic-wide changes.”


AP:

For the past five years, it was at least 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit above average over the Arctic over the entire year, said James Overland, an oceanographer at the Pacific Marine Environmental Lab in Seattle.

The new “State of the Arctic” analysis, released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, also reports an increase in northward movement of warmer water through the Bering Strait in 2001-2004. This may have contributed to a continuing reduction of sea ice.

During that time, there were record lows in sea ice coverage in the region, Overland said. This year there was more normal coverage in the Bering area but a record low on the Atlantic side of the arctic.

In the past when such a shift occurred, there would have been no net loss of ice overall, just a change in where there was a smaller amount. Now, however, there is both the shift and an overall net loss of ice, he said.

Indeed, the report said arctic sea ice coverage this past March was the lowest in winter since measurements by satellite began in the early 1970s.

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By Richard, November 17, 2006 at 4:14 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Besides being the sworn enemy of human knowledge, fundamentalist religion is the pathological enemy of the environment.

However, could it be that creationists/fundamentalists actually recognize the connection between global warming, human activity, human population growth and procreation doctrine—and are attempting to obfuscate the egregious effects of their using the womb as a weapon of war and a marketing tool by denying the reality of global warming?

Precious little mention is made by religious zealots, self-proclaimed environmentalists and science reporters of how the addition of 80 million additional people to the planet each year is accelerating climate change, and I doubt that it will be before it’s too late.

I suggest that those who want to see a polar bear in the wild before the species goes extinct book a trip to Churchill, Manitoba, ASAP. The battle has been lost.

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By jrgruff, November 17, 2006 at 3:10 pm Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Commenting on #38529 - I agree with your viewpoint and say the same thing constantly. If these zealots control everything, then the only way grassroots change to reverse warming can come about is by affecting their organizations directly and geo/politico-strategically. As you say, they are well beyond reasoning. Essentially this means any type of protest or ballot measure would be grossly ineffective. Unfortunately those in control know this well and have passed several laws recently that are attached and related to the USA Patriot Act that essentially define environmental and animal activists as terrorists - that is, if an activist is to do anything that activists previously legally could do to be effective. If your vote doesn’t count, and it is illegal to protest, then what other options are left to the marginal portion of society that would actually like their grandchildren to see a forest in their lives?

My advice for anyone reading this who would like to actually make a difference rather than simply reading about how foul the Bush administration is:
Become an activist, with the full knowlege that your actions may lead to your arrest, possible torture in the future.

Tell your friends, neighbors, relatives, coworkers, etc. that you are going to start riding your bike more, start eating organic, locally produced foods. Try joining a local coop. Tell them that they should too. I myself have converted at least 3 people over the last year over to a less polluting, less world-raping lifestyle over the last year. Whie it may not seem like much, imagine the sheer grip that American media and corporations has on people. To change one’s lifestyle for the better of the planet is truly an amazing feat in the digital age.

Try joining a well known group, such as Greenpeace, or EarthFirst. Or if you can’t make a commitment such as that, give them your donations. Buy a tree, or better yet, 10 trees from the arbor day foundation for Christmas presents this year instead of the ridiculous new game consoles that arrived just in time for ‘Buy Nothing day’. which speaking of, is an excellent way to not only show that you are against the strain of global warming hitting our globe, but that you are actually doing your part by not adding to consumer based pollution.

More info at: http://adbusters.org/metas/eco/bnd/

I know this rant is long, and the list could be much longer. Hopefully I am not preaching to the choir too much when I say the above points. I simply believe that direct action starts with the individual inspiring other individuals to inspire yet more. Various versions of this rant will be appearing at a couple of college campuses. That too, is also an excellent way to affect change while bypassing the religious dogmas that dominate.

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By Dan Weintraub, November 17, 2006 at 8:40 am Link to this comment
(Unregistered commenter)

Whatever…

The Fundamentalist Christians who lead our country do not need to listen to the scientists. George Bush and his Creationist brethren ignore evidence of global warming——provided by literally millions of hours of rigorous scientific research——and instead claim that such evidence does not prove anything. “These are theories”, they purport, “and theories are not fact.” Sound familiar? The same obtuse arguments are used to counter evidence of the evolutionary processes that were initially described by scientist Charles Darwin (in an effort by the fundamentalists to bring god into the classroom).

I fear these Creationists who lead our country. When government officials ignore scientific evidence—-or for that matter public opinion, moral imperatives, etc.—-as they defend their immoral actions and inactions, we, the sovereign public of the nation, have no way to affect policy change. Have you ever tried to engage a religious zealot in a rational debate? Each and every salient point that you may make is countered by the vapid claim that, while your arguments may seem reasonable and logical, logic and reason are illusory: the only truth lies in the word of god.

George Bush is a religious zealot. He is able to brush aside the most lucid scienitifc analyses vis-a-vis global climate change because he thinks that god, not human action, controls the environment: and god would never let us down.

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