As we set new all time records for heat and humidity in the East this summer; I thought is this the new normal? If the climatology scientists are right; this is what will be the new normal temperature range at some time in the not to distant future. I am not saying this was proof of global warming because the time frame is too small and there is far more real climatology data which is indicative of global warming. For example the worldwide retreat of glaciers is almost impossible to explain without resorting to global phenomena. I have personally witnessed this all over the world; from the Artic to the Antarctic. If someone had told me in 1977 when I first saw the glaciers near the Eiger in Switzerland that in 33 years they would have shrunk by 60% I would have laughed. That however is the new reality.
I am sure my grandchildren will adjust to the new normal but think of what they will have lost. I live in New England by choice, the lovely fall weather, and the new snow in December and the new wildflowers in early spring are all going to change and unfortunately not for the better. We will have to devote more of our scarce resources to staying cool in the summer much as our neighbors in the south now do. Much of the grain production in the US will likely move north to the prairies of Canada. Maybe we will find other things to export or more likely our grandchildren will find their new normal lifestyle to be less than that of their grandparents.
Unfortunately most of these changes will now occur because we either did not make the changes that were necessary or we failed to recognize what was happening. The truth is a species of dominant apes on this planet overcame the natural stability of the planet and we will suffer the consequences for countless generations in the future.
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