Other Signs Of Global Warming?


As if it wasn't enough that our favorite "Environmangelist" (Al Gore) is "thinking" (again) about running for president, which by itself is newsworthy (and a tad scary), we have some tidbits of news trivia that deserve some viewing.

Take for example those 450 SEAL HUNTERS that have become trapped, by, of all things...ICE off of northern Newfoundland. The Canadian Coast Guard is dispatching it's neaviest icebreakers to see if they can get the seal hunters' boats from the icepack. Doesn't seem like that ice is melting none too fast, does it?
Actually, I could do with a little LESS seal hunting...I don't really WEAR sealskin parkas, or mukluks, and I don't have a "need" to grab me some seal meat jerky (and I'm sure some exists somewhere), so a few seals that are saved is all right with me. Said Captain Penny from St. John's Newfoundland: "We are having extreme difficulty getting our icebreakers through this large ice field." The ice is SO THICK and PACKED TIGHTLY by an ARCTIC wind from the northeast that unless the wind changes, "it would be too severe even for the heavy icebreakers", added Penny. All non-essential personnel (55) have been removed from the trapped boats. Now while I hope there is no loss of life, I can't help but smile to myself over this latest nuance of global warming.

Personally, I think all of this is just Planet Earth trying to take care of ITSELF, sans any and all intervention we attempt (and we are FAR from perfect in this regard). The planet's been taking care of itself LONG before we, as a species showed our primate faces, and will do nicely long afterward.

In another quasi-related article, our very own state of INDIANA may soon see MORE flooding, the extinction of several animal species (probably NOT the ones I have in mind), and warmer summer temperatures IF global warming persists, an IUPU, Ft. Wayne professor stated. Now let ME state up front, that I don't advocate polluting the enviroment any more that we should, and let's face it, EVERY species pollutes to SOME degree...we at the top of the food chain just happen to EXCEL at it, that's all. At the lecture, held at the "newly renovated" Allen County Public Library, all of about FIFTEEN people showed up, so I would take that as a sign of either poor advertising, or just plain apathy (something ELSE that WE, as a species seem to excel at these days). Now I "could" poke some pretty cavernous holes in the prof's assessments, but not having MY sheepskin from a univeristy (that merely proves to everyone that you think you know everything, as opposed to those of us that really DO...lol), I can only add my opinion to the flames of discontent.

Any state that is as close to sea level (as we are) runs a much higher risk for ecosystem encroachment by any and all factors, be they man-made or sent from Mother Nature. Flooding would be the easiest to agree on...ask anyone from HOLLAND! And since we're nestled between two of the great lakes (and have rivers running all through the state, as well as a good number of our OWN lakes), that's an easy one to see coming. Gee, maybe THAT'S why New Jersey has so many cranberry bogs...'ya think? Add to this our proximity to Canada (and the weather we get from there all for free), and it's little wonder OUR weather (here) can seemingly change by the HOUR. Then there's the issue of NOT having auto emissions in check (and in certain neighborhoods, you can SMELL the result), at least in the largest cities or counties. Not only would that cut pollution, but it could make MONEY for the state (oops....better not let the Guv hear that one...he might want to lease THAT out too).

But there is one factor no one seems to want to talk about when we speak on environmental issues in AMERICA...and that would be that other nations thumb their noses at the enviroment. China is rapidly becoming the usurper of "our" throne of the world's largest pollution-producing nation. It's all well and good if WE (here in the USA) do all WE can to address problems in the world's ecosystems, but if others can't (or won't) follow suit, what the hell good is OUR doing OUR part going to matter? Well, we shouldn't just throw our hands up and say "faggedibowdit", cause problmes on this scale simply won't just go away. This is an area where the United Nations could shine (if they even gave a crap that is).

So until then, we're stuck with big businesses that hold back technologies that CAN help the planet we find ourselves on, nations that will continue to pollute like there's NO tomorrow (and they could make that happen), and people so wrapped up in their own world, that they could care less.

I'm no tree-hugger...never will be, but even I can see that something needs to be done. Just not by Gore and his cronies, that's all.

We can do better...and should.