Year 3, Month 4, Day 7: The Door Is Open

The Worcester Telegram (MA) has a columnist named Bill Fortier. Sigh:

They say that as the climate warms, the weather will become more extreme, or, in today’s world of instant communication, perhaps we just see it more often. Although it does seem that when we were kids we never saw summer-like, mid-winter thunderstorms like we’ve had the past three winters.

While that is worrisome, I’m sure I’m not alone in saying there is something good to be said about our changing weather.

To wit, it was most enjoyable to go all winter without putting on layers of winter clothes and clunky boots.

And it was great to hear the spring peepers March 13, the first time I have ever heard them before St. Patrick’s Day.

We spent last week in Washington, D.C., where the cherry blossoms reached their peak March 20, the third earliest date ever.

We wore shorts all week, had dinner outside twice and walked on King Street in Alexandria, Va., eating ice cream like we would on a July night. If the climate is changing, bring it on.

George W. Bush said that, too, inviting attacks on our soldiers. Idiots. Sent March 31:

Bill Fortier asserts that people who know “way, way more” than he does cannot state with certainty whether the greenhouse gases we release affect the climate. Actually, they can, and do. Science is silent on whether the accelerating greenhouse effect is responsible for a specific incidence of extreme weather, simply because that’s not how science works — but there is no doubt whatsoever that extra atmospheric methane and CO2 are having radically destabilizing effects.

Meanwhile, Mr. Fortier wonders what’s wrong with a warmer winter. Rhapsodizing over his ability to wear shorts on a March day, he writes, “If the climate is changing, bring it on.” Maybe he should talk to New England’s fruit farmers, whose trees are blooming too early, or ask foresters what happens when there aren’t enough freezing temperatures to destroy the larvae of insect pests.

Bring it on, huh? Climate change is coming, invited or not.

Warren Senders