In the western U.S. people are wondering: "Where's the Snow Pack?"
Good question.
Aspen Ski Area hosted no-snow ski race to illustrate climate change
denverpost.com -- 05/06/2012
ASPEN — Aspen Ski Area hosted a ski race without snow Saturday to highlight the effect climate change has on the outdoor-recreation industry.
"Climate change is already pounding businesses and communities, whether you're a ski resort, an insurance agency or a raft business," said Auden Schendler, Aspen Skiing Co. vice president of sustainability. [...]
"Last of the Snow Pack in the Outer Pasture, Mild temperatures over the last four or five days has just about removed the snow pack ... turning it into small lakes and streams at the ranch."
-- bionicdaniel, Photobucket, disappearing snow pack
And then just over "the hill" ...
Who believes in climate change? Many studies point that global warming is legitimate
by Don Jarvis, deseretnews.com -- April 25 2012
Our annual snowpack is shrinking, according to Robert Gillies, State Climatologist for Utah. After studying mounds of data and compensating for weather cycles, he recently announced that Utah's precipitation ratio has shifted from snow to rain by 9 percent. This fits with the Utah State University Climate Center's finding that over the past 40 years, Utah has warmed twice as fast as the global average. Both have ominous implications for our future economic and population growth.
[...]
The National Academy of Science (NAS): "Climate change is occurring, the Earth is warming … concentrations of carbon dioxide are increasing, and there are very clear fingerprints that link [those effects] to humans."
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): "Temperature increases and sea level rise are already occurring and, along with other climate changes, are likely to accelerate.
[...]
The Department of Defense (DOD): "Climate change and energy will play significant roles in the future security environment. The department is developing policies and plans to manage the effects of climate change on its operating environment, missions and facilities.
[...]
Those are some credible sources.
And they are looking for some credible answers. As the planet continues to change its ways all around us ... at an accelerating pace ...
hash-tag this:
#ConnectTheDots on Twitter
Connect the dots between climate change and extreme weather.
Today, 5/5/12, people around the world are volunteering, documenting, educating and protesting to support communities on the front lines of climate change.
Looks like it has a live stream of some sort. (Which looks like it's non-active at the moment.)
Connect the Dots Presentation
Make sure everyone you know is connecting the dots between extreme weather and climate change by giving this presentation in your community. We’ve assembled a presentation and supporting materials to help you clearly explain how climate change is directly linked to the observed trends and record-breaking examples of extreme weather we’re witnessing around the world. Download the materials, and sign up a Connect the Dots event in your community today.
-- Powerpoint preview
"Things Happen" -- Connect the Dots on 5/5/12
link to video -- by 350org
Written by Bill McKibben of 350.org. Narrated and Illustrated by Stephen Thomson of Plomomedia.com.
"Things Happen" and happen, and keep happening ...
Precipitation Measurement Missions
NASA
"Snowpack in the Sierra Nevada mountains." -- 03-05-2003
Source: Wikipedia
According to the California Department of Water Resources, about 65 percent of California’s water supply comes from the Sierra Nevada mountains’ snowpack. Winter rain and snow replenish rivers and groundwater for the year. The amount of snow and when it melts in the spring directly affects how much water is available to cities and to the agricultural industries of the Central Valley. Like all agricultural communities, the Central Valley’s climate, weather and local precipitation all directly impact crop conditions and progress over the growing season. Specifically, the agricultural community needs to know the timing and amount of rain or snow to forecast crop yields as well as any freshwater shortages that might affect irrigation and production. [...]
I remember a day when a deep Snow Pack was a given ... when it was just a part of the cycle of life. When it lasted the entire growing season.
But then something happened ... we happened. With our fossil fuels and our hurry-up and get-there ways.
The Planet keeps trying to slow us down. We keep ignoring what she is saying ...
with a shrug and the rationalization that ... "well, things happen."
Stuff always happens ...