In the last few weeks record breaking snow has hit all across the U.S. From Washington D.C., to Dallas, to Oklahoma, records have been broken for amount of snow that has fallen.
Stuck in the Snow
Dallas broke a record from 1898, recording its first Christmas Eve snow fall since that date. Oklahoma was hit with a record 14 inches of snow, while D.C. recorded 18 inches. Even cold areas that are accustomed to receiving snow this time of year broke records. Minneapolis broke their Christmas Eve record by two inches. Snow is expected this time of year, and is not unusual to receive exceptions to past experiences. But, scientists are beginning to suspect that global warming is having an impact on the amount of precipitation that is falling. Rising temperatures equate to higher levels of water evaporation, of which can cause increased levels of rain and snow fall. While most scientists will not equate one singular climatic event as indicative to change, they are tracking the increase of precipitative occurrences around the globe. Besides the inconveniences of shoveling, flight delays, school and work closings, this past event killed 23 people in the mid section of the U.S. As these events increase due to global warming, the economic pain extends to everyone, and the loss of human life will only rise with it. The ramifications of the unsuccessful negotiations this past December in Copenhagen, are going to be felt for a very long time. What will it take for this country and the rest of the world to wake up and smell the changes that are afoot? A loss of a continent? A complete economic global melt down? Obviously a little record breaking snow is not going to do much to alter political opinions, but if they continue unabated, they will have no choice but to face this new reality.
John Vlahakis
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