Seattle Times: "The truth about global warming"

In regard to the sad evidence of glacial recedivism- what of total snowfall correlated to shrinking glaciers? Some very cold weather periods or cold climates result in less snowfall. Obviously, cold temps did not create glaciers without snowfall. So is the converse possible- that is, lack of renewing snowfall results in shrinking glaciers. Yes, cold temps are required for snowfall but obviously are not the only determinant.

Good point. But on a global scale, I suspect that precipitation is fairly consistent. When climate change reduces precipitation in one region, it probably increases it in another. (I'm just guessing though.) Yet today, as I understand it, glacial recession is a global phenomenon. There might be a few glaciers advancing somewhere, but the vast majority of them all over the world are shrinking.

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Edited to add: It occurs to me that if you could measure total world-wide precipitation (in bazillions of gallons per year) it probably increases with global warming. More heat provides more energy for the water circulation engine--from the oceans to the atmosphere and back. The geographic distribution of the precipitation may change, though. If there was no global warming, you'd need to have a global shift of precipitation away from cooler areas toward warmer areas in order to have world-wide glacial retreat. I haven't heard anybody claim that this is what is happening. Warming is the more likely culprit, I think.

Good point. But on a global scale, I suspect that precipitation is fairly consistent. When climate change reduces precipitation in one region, it probably increases it in another. (I'm just guessing though.) Yet today, as I understand it, glacial recession is a global phenomenon. There might be a few glaciers advancing somewhere, but the vast majority of them all over the world are shrinking.

Certainly can be little doubt about the glaciers, here it really started happening after the mid-80's. As to total moisture, boy, that is hard to say, certainly more evaporation, but patterns might not make it work out that way with rainfall. What seems clear, is that strong subtropical jets seem to be more common, and unprecedented. Remember the October 2004 floods - 30" in ten days at Baker with unheard of high snow levels of 10,500'+, also how about the January 14, 2005 Pineapple express that brought air temperatures to 50 F on the west shore of Hudson's Bay (the jet extended perhaps 6000 miles from the tropics to the bay), also 37" in one day in India, also the first hurricane ever recorded in the S Pacific, and...I spoke to a Bolivian about a week ago, the Amazon is now getting extremely heavy flooding as sub-tropical monsoons are reaching that area. Never happened before according to the Bolivian.

To add to the point, as it has been warmer this summer here in the USA, it has been colder then normal in Aftrica. They even had snow for the first time in 25 years in So Africa.... It all seems to balance out.

As far as glaciers go, sure they are receeding......they used to cover the entire continent at one time and have been shrinking since the end of the last ice age (I think I learned that in jr high, but I doubt they teach that any longer to our kids).

Hurricanes are sure quiet so far this year???

As far as glaciers go, sure they are receeding......they used to cover the entire continent at one time and have been shrinking since the end of the last ice age (I think I learned that in jr high, but I doubt they teach that any longer to our kids).   

I don't think the shrinkage of the glaciers currently is a result of merely achieving an equilibrium after having been much bigger during the ice age.

The glaciers have been both growing and shrinking for the past few thousand years... they grew significantly during the "little ice age" a few hundred years ago (in Europe at least, where there are records glaciers advancing over farmland and towns.  I'm not sure if the "little ice age" affected north america to the same extent).

I don't know if the glaciers in the Cascades are at their smallest size since the ice age.  Anyone know of any research on that?

Interesting read for some, inconvenient for others.......

www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials...-09-gore-green_x.htm

Thanks, Jack for the article. Such is quite obvious in general for some GW enthusiasts. Although I am clearly not in support of much of the GW and lib enviro stuff, I would propose that my middle-class lifestyle has much less impact (consumption) than many who would deprive others while hyper-consuming.

In real terms, someone who can afford a new Prius (save a few gallons of gas while consuming large amounts of material that caused pollution when manufactured) and is happy about expensive gas is certainly disdainful of the common folk and their standard of living. Limo libs and wineglass environmentalists may feel morally justified about implementation of artificial governmental mandates to force this or that for their agenda, all the while increasing the cost of food, the drive to work, the cost of housing, the cost of recreation, etc. These costs may not materially affect those of us fortunate enough to have disposable incomes that are more than many incomes in the US and especially in the world, but the added enviro penalty costs certainly affect many who are less fortunate.

If I ever hear of a GW enthusiast who walks their talk I will be surprised and impressed. That would be one who chooses public transportation over frivolous driving such as frequent trips out of the city to the mountains for selfish self-actualization. One who chooses an apartment or small condo in clustered environmentally-preserving housing. One who would not consume lots and lots of stuff for living and recreation. In summary, one who is willing to make personal sacrifice instead of forcing sacrifice from others to further their agenda.

If you will pardon me, I will descend from this cloud of pompous hot air so that I may drive about 10 miles up the Icicle from my home to go backpack overnight across two wonderful ridges and to a beautiful high lake with trout. And I am guilt free in this endeavor since I think so much of myself and feel fully justified in my hyperconsumption and selfish self-actualization.