Matt Bors for December 11, 2012

The climate issue has nothing to do with the Earth’s position relative to the sun. What scientists are looking at are growing factors like the increasing rise in ocean temperatures. The Arctic has lost more ice this year than ever before due to a rise in the ocean temperature. Also, as the upper levels of the ocean heat up, less phytoplankton is able to grow. Not only does this affect the ocean food chain, it also limits the ocean’s ability to absorb CO2, pushing it back into the atmosphere. Since we are also losing rainforests and increasing our CO2 production, we are approaching a tipping point, which may cause a global climate shift. Natural climate change, which takes several centuries to milennia to occur, gives species and humans time to adapt to the changes. A rapid shift, such as we are experiencing, can result in sudden extinctions, as well as humans not being able to provide enough food due to a sudden need to change farming practices or locations. Looking out your window and saying “Still looks fine to me” is not science. I’m sure you will be one of the first to complain when food prices skyrocket because our government ignored the facts and did nothing to prevent or prepare for a climate shift.