Call It Global Climate Change, Not Global Warming

One of the major strategic errors that those concerned about the impact of factors, such as the environment, have had on world weather conditions, is to refer to the situation or threat as Global Warming. In fact, while during the summer and early fall of 2010, the East Coast did experience near-record high temperatures, and Los Angeles, in September set its all-time high temperature, the apparent variation in the normal weather conditions have not merely been warming- type effects. During the winter of 2010, the Washingon DC metropolitan area had record amounts of snow fall, while Chicago experienced one of its mildest winter seasons ever.

Warm temperatures have continued on the East Coast throughout the month of September, but so have some other unusual weather conditions. The New York City area experienced a tornado in September 2010, and several states in the North Central states, such as Minnesota, etc., suffered from extensive flooding conditions. It seems to the casual observer that there have been far more weather extremes than one remembers previously. When we have had rains, they have been more extensive. Our snows have had higher accumulations, and where they have accumulated has been unusual. The New York metropolitan area had nearly 40 days with high temperatures over ninety degrees, and there have been very few summers as hot. The Northeast's extremely wet Spring of 2010 was followed by an extremely high and unusually dry summer. The end of Spetember had several extreme and unusual weather conditions, with far higher than usual rains, accompanied by high winds.

Some individuals have stated that these are normal conditions, and the costs of reducing emissions, and cleaning the area, are detrimental to the environment, while not impacting Global Warming. These individuals have used "cold spells" as proof that the "environmentalists" have panicked and distorted the problem. Each side gives conflicting "scientific proof" that they are correct, and neither side has truly proven its point.

However, if improving the environment makes our air healthier, and makes it easier to breathe and enjoy the outside, isn't that enough reason to pay attention? Can "greening" the environment do any harm, and isn't it possible that a reduction of carbon emissions might actually help? Doesn't it make sense to address the issue, just in case?

Very few individuals who objectively have viewed the changes in weather the past few years would deny that there have been changes. There may be multiple reasons for these changes, but doesn't it seem logical that carbon emissions and other environmental factors, may very well be one important factor? Global climate change has definitely arrived, and if the scientists have generally agreed that various toxins released into the environment escaped into the ozone layer, and that there has been evidence of that impact, most individuals without a preconceived notion, bias, or agenda, would agree that we need to do more to preserve our environment. This needs to be done and done sooner rather than later!