I find it alarming, that Art Betke can write-off concerns with the Greenland ice-melt because of an anomaly in Africa; a higher than normal temperature that in his opinion won't happen again.
The trouble with this shortsighted opinion is that we are experiencing a whole host of anomalies, each one defying normal climate patterns, at least in frequency and number.
We often see the Facebook posts, that show snowfall in July and August, here close to Prince George, and see some uninformed people gasp in hilarity, that such a thing as global warming exists.
How can there be global warming, when it is snowing in July?
The answer is simpler than one would think, but often ignored.
The anomalies that are happening, are happening in a closed atmosphere.
Water does not leave the confines of the atmosphere, and with the exception of a small amount of water taken into space by astronauts, the water amount on Earth is the same as it has always been.
The simple water cycle that sees water evaporate, and fall back to earth, has not changed, and when water disappears, it isn't really gone, just in another state.
The hole in the ozone layer, deforestation and industry have started to change not just the weather but the climate as well.
Normal wind patterns and currents are now being changed, adjusted and, due to these changes, warmer temperatures are happening, ice is melting and we are slowly losing land mass.
The key point to understand is that we are inside a closed atmosphere and when something happens in one place, it effects change elsewhere, in fact, everywhere.
The snow here in July, is because climate is changing and drought, heat, and lower humidity are occurring elsewhere.
Understanding the difference between climate and weather is essential, understanding that the biosphere is undergoing significant change, is necessary. Understanding that the Arctic in addition to Greenland, is also melting, and to ignore it borders on irresponsible stupidity.
Earth's climate is definitely cyclic and I will not argue that some of what is happening is natural. There is however a massive human element to this, one never before experienced.
I would suggest that anyone questioning this pay a visit to UNBC, where some of the world's leading research in climate change is being done. It is easy to Wikipedia information and spread rhetoric.
Understand the science first.
Mike Maslen
Prince George
