The past couple of weeks has seen an orgy of right wing glee claiming that recent weather events provide conclusive proof that climate change is not occurring.
Rodney Hide provided the most striking local example, claiming that an increase of pack sea ice around Antartica was proof that Antarctic land ice is not actually melting. Actually Rodney the build up is potentially verification that land ice is melting and sliding out to sea. Whatever the cause Hide seems to think that a short term weather event is conclusive proof that long term changes are not occurring. He is willing to roll the dice on the planet’s future for short term political gain.
In the United States a blast of polar air has frozen much of the country. The intrepid reporters at Fox News, backed by that most respected of weather scientists Donald Trump, have claimed that events are conclusive proof that global warming is over. John Stewart in typical style has rubbished their claims. For Stewart Fox News’ ongoing stupidity is the gift that keeps on giving.
And in the United Kingdom the country is reeling from heavy rain and floods and extreme high tides.
The sceptics will be disappointed that Prime Minister David Cameron has responsibly agreed that extreme weather events occurring there are most likely the result of man induced climate change. As reported by the Guardian:
To a backdrop of groans from Conservative MPs, Cameron told the Commons he did believe Britain was getting “more abnormal weather events”, which could be linked to climate change.
A number of Tories are sceptical about the science of climate change or the effectiveness of measures to tackle it. Those sceptics include the Conservative environment secretary, Owen Paterson, who has suggested that global warming could be beneficial to the UK.
The prime minister said: “Colleagues across the house can argue about whether that is linked to climate change or not. I very much suspect that it is. The point is that whatever one’s view it makes sense to invest in flood defences … it makes sense to get information out better, and we should do all of those things.”
At least Cameron has the sense to recognise the potential link between climate change and extreme weather events. And that the instability we are currently witnessing world wide is a reason to be afraid for the future and not a reason to rejoice the end of what may be humanity’s ultimate challenge.
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