Well, this conversation's certainly taken an interesting turn since I logged out yesterday.
Tusk, I agree that the phrase "global warming" isn't accurate, because it doesn't explain why some areas seem to be experiencing colder, longer winters. I think that most credible researchers/scientists are, instead, using the phrase "climate change." It's broader, yes, somewhat vague, but can capture the various "variances," if you will.
Cherelann, that sounds like a very interesting series that you've been watching. I agree that the human race seems destined for extinction, and, frankly, I can't say that I think that is necessarily a bad thing. While I know some folks who are wonderful examples of humanity -- and, certainly, it seems that there are a fair amount of Haliens who fit into that category, worldwide there is a great deal to be appalled and horrified by. Just today, besides reading about the "torture camps" of Syria, I also read an essay about how Germans (probably mainly in the intellectual/academic world) are really concerned that the copyright date of Hitler's
Mein Kampf will end at the end of 2014, and the book, which since the end of WWII has not been published (in Germany, at least), will be publishable again -- and what that means to a nation of people who have engaged in an almost 70-year self-flagellation program (not literally, kids) because of what happened in the early 1930's.
While I know that I'm coming across as the proverbial "broken record," the melting of the ice caps right now is not at "glacial" speed (although I appreciate the humor, Tusk), it's melting at a very quick rate. From the research that's been presented in our office (as I had mentioned in an earlier post), if the glacial melt continues at its current rate, by 2050 (for Tusk and Cherelann , who live in the PNW), downtown Seattle, as we currently know it, will have water lapping at it doors -- likely at the second story. 2050 -- that's only 38 years away. A mere "drop in the bucket." I sincerely doubt that we can undo the damage of the puncture to the ozone layer that allowed this melt to happen.
I am reminded of the song by Shango that came out in late sixties/early seventies: "Where can we go, when there's no San Francisco?" The song was about the earthquakes that were happening in California (L.A. and San Fran) at the time, but I think could be applied to the new threat (as though the earthquake threat hasn't gone away and, given the additional weight of more water, could change in other ways [more frequent, more severe]?)
I apologize if I'm coming across[/i] as too fatalistic. I'm old enough now to hope that I'm not going to live another 38 years (although I've already lived longer than I think is even remotely intelligent --such is my luck). But for those Haliens who are younger, you might want to take such information into consideration when making plans for your futures (as in where to live). (On the other hand, LovinDa, your current Nevada premise may fairly soon, be close to waterfront property??)
Tusk, I appreciate you looping this thread around/back to Douglas Adams and his fabulous series "The Hitchhiker Guide to the Galaxy. " Ahh, Doug, RIP. (I
love saying "Zaphod Beeblebrock." Can't explain why -- but there's just something so satisfying about it.)
Also enjoyed "The Galaxy Song." (I think that I'm a bit envious of your time living in England, but I'll try not to hold that against you
)
Monty Python is a "acquired taste" I think, so it's understandable that not everyone will appreciate that approach. I don't always find the same humor in the very same scenes of some of his films that I know very dear friends find hysterical.
It's very "com ci, com ca."
Bad power outage indicates "Life, The Universe and Everything" are doomed!
