This one was in the traditionally water-challenged area of Phoenix, Arizona.
For additional commentary on our worsening climate, check out The Mound's post.
UPDATE: I have not yet had an opportunity to watch this film, but the trailer suggests it will make compelling and informative viewing:
The complete film can be accessed here.
As Mound reminds us, Lorne, we're already close to the 1.5 degree limit agreed to in Paris. Where we live the lawns have turned to straw.
ReplyDeleteIt's exactly like that here, too, Owen. You and I have lived a fair number of years, and like me, I doubt you remember experiencing anything like the summer we have had this year.
DeleteI had never heard the word "monsoon" used in conjunction with a major city in the US southwest. Of course it wasn't a monsoon at all. Those go on for weeks. It was a flash flood from massively heavy rainfall that overwhelms local infrastructure. We're only at what I call "+7%" atmospheric water vapour loading. What awaits us as that extra 7% increases to 10 or 15%? These floods, devastating and costly as they are, still haven't reached the threshold where the public is demanding action on global warming. I guess the "boiling frog" syndrome is more than a myth after all.
ReplyDeleteBTW - did you notice that the Nightly News story of the Phoenix flooding was immediately followed by a report on heatwaves, drought and wildfires in California and elsewhere? That's the thing about Nature. She offers something for everyone.
I checked the forecast for Ottawa today. Their overnight low temp is going to be warmer than our daytime high (if we make it). It's +30C above the Arctic Circle and here, far to the south, I have to wear a heavy flannel shirt. For all that, I do remind my neighbours that we of the Left Coast actually have the best climate in the world these days.
For those of us in Southern Ontario, Mound, this is the kind of summer that promotes indoor living unless one has a strange fetish for high heat and humidity levels. Right now it is about 35 degrees Celsius with the humidex, and tomorrow's forecast calls for 41 degrees. The story of our summer has been one heatwave after another, coupled with a punishing drought. And as models suggest, the 'best' is yet to come.
DeleteAs one who likes to do a great deal of walking, I have a choice: either get out very early in the morning, or stay indoors with everything sealed up to keep out Nature's revenge on our collective and ongoing folly.
While I've been out here for almost 40-years, Lorne, my memories of summer humidity in Ottawa remain vivid. It was brutal enough back then, when I was a young, fit man. I cannot imagine what it must be like for the 60+ crowd today. My, suddenly that cool breeze feels quite pleasant.
DeleteI watched Disruption when it first came out and later had my grade 10s critique it. The filmmakers were close, but missed the mark if they hoped to inspire the nation. Then again, I have no idea what can possible wake us from our collective coma.
ReplyDeleteI will be sure to watch the entire film, Marie. As to what can rouse us from our profound inertia, I, too, have no idea.
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