World faces hottest year ever, as El Niño combines with global warming (Independent UK)

[redacted]

By Cahal Milmo
Published: 01 January 2007

A combination of global warming and the El Niño weather system is set to make 2007 the warmest year on record with far-reaching consequences for the planet, one of Britain's leading climate experts has warned.

As the new year was ushered in with stormy conditions across the UK, the forecast for the next 12 months is of extreme global weather patterns which could bring drought to Indonesia and leave California under a deluge.

The warning, from Professor Phil Jones, director of the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia, was one of four sobering predictions from senior scientists and forecasters that 2007 will be a crucial year for determining the response to global warming and its effect on humanity.

<snip>

The warning of the escalating impact of global warming was echoed by Jim Hansen, the American scientist who, in 1988, was one of the first to warn of climate change. In an interview with The Independent, Dr Hansen predicted that global warming would run out of control and change the planet for ever unless rapid action is taken to reverse the rise in carbon emissions.

Dr Hansen said: "We just cannot burn all the fossil fuels in the ground. If we do, we will end up with a different planet. I mean a planet with no ice in the Arctic, and a planet where warming is so large that it's going to have a large effect in terms of sea level rises and the extinction of species."

http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article2116873.ece

PODCAST: For some insightful commentary on this article, along with a related story on how the Northern Canadian Inuits are fighting Exxon tankers that are actually attempting to sail through melted ice on the Inuits' territory near the North Pole as an alternative to the Panama Canal, play the MP3 at the "Listen to Show Here" link on this KarmaBanque Radio page:

http://karmabanqueradio.com/?p=274#more-274

[redacted]

1. ..

[redacted]

2. Not cold at all on New Year's Day at Dillon Beach, CA, near San Francisco

where it's usually freezing cold this time of year.

The dogs didn't care; they had a great time. But me? I'm very concerned. Kids were out there in T-shirts and shorts playing in the tidepools. I've never seen that happen in January.

[redacted]

3. Not cold in Sonoma County either

Looks like an early grape growing season for the winemakers.

[redacted]

4. ..

[PA Democrat]

5. 60 degrees in western PA today; 50's forecast for rest of the week.

We usually have 7 inches of snow by January 1, we've had a little more than a half inch so far. It's the warmest winter so far that I can recall.

[Mandate My Ass]

9. Here too in Philly. Cherry trees are blossoming. My lawn needs mowing.

It's been high 50's and low 60's for about a month and a half now. It's really strange. I actually saw some geese flying south yesterday or the day before but don't recall any flying by during late Oct./early Nov. when they usually do. And there hasn't been one slowflake to fall yet. :-(

[mnhtnbb]

6. 67 degrees in Chapel Hill, NC now. Average Jan high 49.

[BeHereNow]

7. Meanwhile, the bastards at Exxon-Mobil spend gazillions to convince us to keep burning fossil fuel

We are in deep shit peeps.
The "powers that be" know the entire
world is about to be "Katrina'd."
They have secured their plans to
survive the weather holocaust
(think the Bushite compound in Paraguay...)
They are looting and bilking as much out
of the planet as they can before
the shit hits the fan.
The rest of us?
Guess we're supposed to "eat cake."
See you at the "superdome" or in the local
Halliburton dentention center.

BHN

[Xenotime]

8. Its summer here in Texas

[BeHereNow]

10. Hey Redacted, hope you don't mind- I just linked your thread to another in LBN

There is a thread in LBN about FEMA offering the fact that
the California levees are in far worse condition than they thought.
Hmmm, where have we seen this before?
Oh, that's right, in NOLA.

I will be right back with a link to the LBN thread. especially since the
article you posted mentions the prediction of California being hit
by a deluge.
Keep driving those Hummers!
BHN

[BeHereNow]

11. Link to LBN thread here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2674558
Posted by Cal04 in LBN:

"A fast-growing region near the state capital is at greater risk of a potentially catastrophic flood than originally believed, and insurance rates could double for some residents, the government said Wednesday.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it would redraw flood maps for the area that includes the sprawling Natomas neighborhood. The decision is based on the government's assessment that the levees are substandard and don't meet criteria that they can withstand floods for 100 years.

FEMA's decision for the region could be a prelude to similar designations elsewhere in California's Central Valley, home to some of the state's most explosive suburban growth in recent years. Federal and state governments are taking another look at widespread flood risks in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

The Natomas basin is a giant sink that is bordered by the Sacramento and American rivers and includes the Arco Arena, home to the NBA's Sacramento Kings. Flood experts say it could be submerged under more than 15 feet of water if the levees failed.

http://www.examiner.com/a-489131~FEMA__Calif__Levees_Wo..."

This is not good news in light of the scientists predictions for a deluge in the state.
Especially when you consider the reality of how the people in NOLA were
dealt with.

Look out California.
Make sure your boats are in working condition because you
will be on your own, no doubt.

BHN

[redacted]

14. BHN, are you kidding? Of course I don't mind; thanks so much for linking

the threads up. Issues don't get much bigger than this one. And all the work you and our fellow DUers are doing to get visibility for articles like these is really gaining traction. Big thanks.

:yourock: :headbang:

[AngryAmish]

12. I was thinking of golfing today

In Chicago. In January.

[PA Democrat]

13. Local news reported on how ski resorts here are really hurting

It's too warm to even make snow. It's weird to hear the sound of lawn mowers running in December and January.

[redacted]

15. No snow in the French and Italian Alps either, according to the folks

who put out the podcast I linked to at the bottom of the original post above. They should know, they're based in Paris. And I think Max and Stacy also point out that financial losses at huge, corporate winter resorts here and in Europe are triggering the next level of news coverage of global warming, this time in the financial press.

[BeHereNow]

16. Kick for the night DU/Malloy listening crowd

BHN

[proud patriot]

17. Why thank you

this is some scary shit right here .

[BeHereNow]

18. But of course, the pleasure is mine, and YES, it IS.

Be sure to check out the link in LBN about the California levees...
combined with this article, there is even more scary shit to contemplate.
Meanwhile, the Bush KKKabal prepares to flee to Paraguay.
BHN

[pitohui]

19. it's an ill wind that blows no one any good

el nino keeps atlantic hurricanes from hitting land apparently, it is the explanation offered for why the 2006 atlantic hurricane season fizzled out after all indicators suggested it would be the equal or worse of 2005

[BeHereNow]

20. Kicking because it MATTERS!

BHN:kick: