It was bound to happen. We have experienced some intense cold weather and so a fair number of people, including the noted climate scientist, Donald Trump, have been taking it as "proof" that climate change and warming just aren't occurring. I am willing to concede that it sure doesn't feel warm out there, and like many clergy and church leaders we are fretting that this nasty weather has resulted in smaller congregations, or cancelled worship services.
I find this open letter by Nick Visser to The Donald to be very helpful in understanding how it can be so cold and still be an indication of Global Climate Change and even Global Warming:
Dear Mr. Trump:Winter is always cold. And sometimes that means unimaginably cold.
Despite wind chills nearing -60 degrees Fahrenheit in Chicago and temperatures that left some parts of Canada colder than Mars, Arctic sea ice is still melting, atmospheric CO2 concentrations are still climbing and climate change is predicted to pose a far greater threat to the planet than many scientists thought.
Winters have become increasingly warmer over the past century, and despite the recent bout of subzero temps, global warming can make extreme weather events like the polar vortex even worse. In layman's terms, as the planet warms and Arctic sea ice melts, the northern polar region equalizes a bit with temperatures farther south, causing the jet stream that forms a circular band around the northern latitudes to slow down.
This jet stream usually holds the far colder Arctic air in place with winds in excess of 100 mph, but pockets of cold can escape at times when the stream slows down, according to Time. That's exactly what's happened this time around, except the amount of cold that's leaked past the seal is much larger than usual and has pushed farther south.
Plain and simple, climate change can't be proven or disproven by a single weather event. Period. Long-term trends have shown that climate change is happening and the IPCC has said it's "extremely likely" humans are the dominant cause. So, although it's counterintuitive, the current frostbitten state of the country may be further proof that yes, the planet is warming -- and climate change is here with a vengeance.
Mr.Trump, you're fired as a climatologist! But he and the others who are naysayers aren't the real problem. We all need to ask what we can do to simplify our lives, pretty much the way Jesus taught. Isn't that a win-win situation? We are obedient Christians and we care for Creation, even if this is all an elaborate conspiracy /hoax/government plot.
I would ask your opinion, but your fingers may be too cold to tap out a response.
