U.S. weather extremes show "new normal" climate

[Amelia]

U.S. weather extremes show "new normal" climate

By Deborah Zabarenko, Environment Correspondent

WASHINGTON, May 18, 2011

(Reuters) — Heavy rains, deep snowfalls, monster floods and killing droughts are signs of a "new normal" of extreme U.S. weather events fueled by climate change, scientists and government planners said on Wednesday.

"It's a new normal and I really do think that global weirding is the best way to describe what we're seeing," climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe of Texas Tech University told reporters.

"We are used to certain conditions and there's a lot going on these days that is not what we're used to, that is outside our current frame of reference," Hayhoe said on a conference call with other experts, organized by the non-profit Union of Concerned Scientists.

An upsurge in heavy rainstorms in the United States has coincided with prolonged drought, sometimes in the same location, she said, noting that west Texas has seen a record-length dry period over the last five years, even as there have been two 100-year rain events.

Hayhoe, other scientists, civic planners and a manager at the giant Swiss Re reinsurance firm all cited human-caused climate change as an factor pushing this shift toward more extreme weather.

While none would blame climate change for any specific weather event, Hayhoe said a background of climate change had an impact on every rainstorm, heat wave or cold snap.

"What we're seeing is the new normal is constantly evolving," said Nikhil da Victoria Lobo of Swiss Re's Global Partnerships team. "Globally what we're seeing is more volatility ... there's certainly a lot more integrated risk exposure."

CHICAGO'S SEWERS

In addition to more extreme local weather events, he said, changes in demographics and how materials are supplied make them more vulnerable.

"In a more integrated economic system, a single shock to an isolated area can actually end up having broad-based and material implications," da Victoria Lobo said. For example, if a local storm knocks out transport and communications systems, "someone 1,000 miles away is not receiving their iPad or their car."

Aaron Durnbaugh, deputy commissioner for natural resources and water quality for Chicago, said adapting to climate change is a daunting task.

Citing the down-to-earth example of Chicago's 4,400 miles of sewer mains, which were installed over the last 150 years and will take decades to replace, Durnbaugh said accurate forecasting of future storms and floods is essential.

The city of Chicago's cost of dealing with extreme weather events through the end of this century has been conservatively estimated in a range from $690 million to $2.5 billion, Durnbaugh said, with the cost to homeowners and local businesses expected to be far higher.

Globally, da Victoria Lobo said the annual average economic losses from natural disasters have escalated from $25 billion in the 1980s to $130 billion in the first decade of the 21st century.

http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/tre74h6zc-us-climate-extremes/

[ClubV12]

Well, thats the US Weathers "take" on it, do you have an opposing view? Something from Exxon maybe?

...just kidding, good post. :)

[Amelia]

I'll try and find one from Faux News.

[Tobiwan]

What it seems to me to be happening is that the four angels holding the winds are getting tired of holding. The devil is pushing the limits, practicing and observing the results of his activity.

meanwhile the Church sleeps on and is distracted by every diversion and distraction the devil throws at us.

This is but the beginning of sorrow

[Gail]

What it seems to me to be happening is that the four angels holding the winds are getting tired of holding. The devil is pushing the limits, practicing and observing the results of his activity.

meanwhile the Church sleeps on and is distracted by every diversion and distraction the devil throws at us.

This is but the beginning of sorrow

I was thinking along the same lines... and that things will only get worse

The apocalyptic doomsday thing was another one of those. If people get used to those, like many of our people they simply won't believe it anymore.

I've had questions about these many disasters and the end of the world. In one sense I'm glad to see them come from people who were scoffers before. OTOH, there's a big job to do yet!

[olger]

What it seems to me to be happening is that the four angels holding the winds are getting tired of holding. The devil is pushing the limits, practicing and observing the results of his activity.

meanwhile the Church sleeps on and is distracted by every diversion and distraction the devil throws at us.

This is but the beginning of sorrow

This ^ ^ ^

[Tobiwan]

I remember an observation that often the only way God can get us to look up is to put us flat on our back. We are urged to "lift up our heads, ours as well as this worlds redemption is drawing near.

In the wilderness it made no sense to look at a snake for healing. If you take the time to think about it, common sense will keep you from looking at a snake. However, think about it, those who looked, LIVED! There is life, for a look at the Savior, and life more abundant and free.

Spending time here on this forum it is obvious there are a lot of questions we will not get answers for while we remain on this planet. We have opinions, ideas, hopes, and in my case wishes. Some, many of my ideas scare me, but the possibilities make God very real. Several of the individuals who have made God very real to me over the years, have shared with me their frustration with our church and our schools for trying to get answers to questions and ideas, in a way they make majors out of minors. Generating more heat then light, and going round and round mountains we should and could have left a long time ago.

When this gospel is given to the whole world, when Jesus is lifted up, His love, joy, kindness, gentleness,meekness, His willingness to allow us self control, He will draw those who will, to come to Him.

I have hung around here for a while, and have not made very many posts. I do not want to sound like a stuck record, (you do remember those, right), but I feel in a very real sense we are treating and discussing symptoms and not the cause of our disease.

Now my point, God is putting this world on its back, maybe for the last time to get people to look up. He would like to use His bride, His family, and His church to reveal what He is really like. He would like to use us to prepare the would for His coming and warn them of the time of strife and the test that is to come. Instead He is having to use storms and movies like 2012 and others to get peoples attention.

We should put a full page ad in papers demonstrating compassion for those who were disappointed this last week. and urge them to go to the Bible and a very loving God who will answer their desire for hope and salvation.

The worse really is yet to come

[Amelia]

Quote:

I was thinking along the same lines... and that things will only get worse

Seeing massive earthquakes an tsunamis; the numorous tornados and floods; I have to wonder if what we see in movies via CGI, won't become reality.

[BobRyan]

If getting to the end of the world and having the much-predicted increase in natural disasters - come in the form of "an increase in natural disasters" is supposed to be the 'new normal' -- then perhaps at the 2nd coming we will once again be talking about "the new normal" --

in Christ,

Bob