Non Sequitur by Wiley Miller for August 28, 2018

As the Penguins see it the Flamingos don’t have a leg to stand on. To them it’s all black and white.

I was going to blame Bob, but that’s too easy.

I’m thinking the Flamingos may be pro climate change/global warming. More habitat for them to reside in. Whereas, the Penguins would argue the problems climate change/global warming is causing in habitat loss.

Oh Wiley, you are really stirring the pot this time.

His martini is at least less filling.

Caught in the middle between special interests who profit in the billions off their products that destroy our air, water and climate on one side, and professional scientists who, by virtue of years of education, make a decent living, but otherwise live modest lives, who are guided solely by science and evidence.

Who to believe?

Calling for “balance” in hearing “both sides” is as absurd as saying we should have “balance” between medical professionals with proven therapies and witch doctors casting spells.

Penguins and flamingos together? Must be in south Florida.

The scientific debate ended years ago and over 97% climate science experts recognise that the planet is warming rapidly, we caused it and it will kill millions of people. Only the political debate is endless between those who think we should do something about the situation and those who want to believe that it will all go away. Climate change isn’t a “left-wing” policy or an economic issue. It’s just a matter of fact and the greatest threat to humanity ever.

I’m with the penguins. The flamingos pee on their legs.

His martini isn’t on the rocks so I’m guessing he’ll side with the flamingos.

The debate is about what to do with the humans. Penquin’s and Flamingo’s agree that the humans did it. They’re debating how many humans need to be culled and how.

I am in the middle of a bit of climate change myself, right now. I am in Kerala, India. Check it out if you don’t know why that matters!

Never argue religion in a bar.

“Today Lunch Special: Venezuelan Flamingo Flambé "

A flamboyance of flamingos, a convocation of eagles, a cauldron of bats, a bloat of hippos.

This bar is for the birds.

The scientific debate ended years ago and over 97% climate science experts (who have my view) recognize that the planet is warming rapidly,

Talking a good game and actually working to make it good are two different approaches. So long as they are debating they aren’t working the fixes.

The Penguins might be better dancers, but the Flamingos are better with a yo-yo…

(Now THERE’S an obscure pop culture reference for you…)

I agree with Wiley. Climate Change is for the birds. It’s why they evolved from dinosaurs.

As the nation plans new defenses against the more powerful storms and higher tides expected from climate change, one project stands out: an ambitious proposal to build a nearly 60-mile “spine” of concrete seawalls, earthen barriers, floating gates and steel levees on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Like other oceanfront projects, this one would protect homes, delicate ecosystems and vital infrastructure, but it also has another priority: to shield some of the crown jewels of the petroleum industry, which is blamed for contributing to global warming and now wants the federal government to build safeguards against the consequences of it.

~

Texas is seeking at least $12 billion for the full coastal spine, with nearly all of it coming from public funds. Last month, the government fast-tracked an initial $3.9 billion for three separate, smaller storm barrier projects that would specifically protect oil facilities.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-protect-oil-facilities-from-climate-change-coastal-spine/

In this case both sides (both birds) are in big trouble.

Yeah, the natural Climate Change. Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter. Done. End of discussion.

One of those penguins is hitting the hard stuff and looking a little depressed – unlike the rest of us who are a lot depressed about it.

The penguins, spending so much time in the water, drink like fish. The pink flamingos are likely just alcoholic hallucinations. Therefore, the only rational thing is to order another martini.

If I were Bob, I’d order another drink, only make it a double !

I’m the one on the left side, top left. After my 3d glass, I don’t remember what else happened but I know it got ugly!

The penguins are from the Arctic, where they can see the ice disappearing. The flamingoes are from South Florida, where they can see the oceans rising. Apparently the only one who doesn’t get it is Bob, whose from the Midwest.

Flamingos drink upside down and often they live in lakes that have extremely high salt concentrations. Their primary source of fresh water comes from boiling geysers so they are capable of drinking water at temperatures that approach the boiling point. When they drink the salt water they excrete salt through salt glands in the nostrils. I assume their drink of choice would be a margarita.

@Sportymonk“How does one obtain actual measurements from 1000 years ago with precision?”

That statement indicates that, not only do you not have a degree in any of the hard sciences, you have next to no knowledge of science in general. I would also like you to demonstrate how the solution to a math problem can be “manipulated.” Mathematics is considered the perfect science because its solutions are wide open to verification: there is only one right answer. Trying to “manipulate” the solution to an equation is like trying to manipulate the output of the Sun.

In essence, there’s no backsies when it comes to climate change. Once you’ve begun the full-scale destabilization and melting of the Greenland ice sheet and of the vast ice sheets in the Antarctic, for instance, the future inundation of coastal areas, including many of humanity’s major cities, is a foregone conclusion somewhere down the line. In fact, a recent study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change by 22 climate scientists, suggests that when it comes to the melting of ice sheets and the rise of seas and oceans, we’re not just talking about how life will be changed on Planet Earth in 2100 or even 2200. We’re potentially talking about what it will be like in 12,200, an expanse of time twice as long as human history to date.

So many thousands of years are hard even to fathom, but as the study points out, “A considerable fraction of the carbon emitted to date and in the next 100 years will remain in the atmosphere for tens to hundreds of thousands of years.” The essence of the report, as Chris Mooney wrote in the Washington Post, is this: “In 10,000 years, if we totally let it rip, the planet could ultimately be an astonishing 7 degrees Celsius (12.6° F) warmer on average and feature seas 52 meters (170 feet) higher than they are now.”

Fight pollution because it’s pollution.

Will there be a lot of fowl language in this exchange?

The Flamingos are worried that their Watery Habitats are going to be turned into Deserts.

Flamingos do not thrive in a Cactus Forest.