As the week winds down... temps continue above normal, not outrageous, but still uncomfortable if you are spending a lot of time outside. The weather has been "wacky" to say the least with rapidly developing thunderstorms, wild temperature swings. An annomoly? Or an indicator of major changes in the earths climate pattern? Lets keep in mind, we have less than 100 years of reliable climate data, talk about a "blip on the time line" of global weather patterns. Be sure to learn more about the "ice ages" and recent changes, (like over the past 10,000 years) that scientists have been able to uncover. Fascinating stuff, kids.
The big news as of late, is the huge "oil leak/spill" in the "Gulf of Mexico."
An environmental disaster of yet un-determined scope and size. But, it ain't looking good. Making the "Exxon Valdez" appear to be a walk in the park.
"Top Kill" is the current buzz word as they try to stop the busted lines from spewing the oil and gas. Once that's finally under control, I'm sure the focus will be on "clean-up" as the oil has been hitting the coast line, and it looks nasty. It may be years or even generations before things get back to normal.
NOW, there's talk of an "active" hurricane season... new questions arise as to what will happen when you add a powerful storm to the oil slick waters. Does it "intensify" the storm, or weaken it? Does it help "disperse" this mess, or create an even bigger one.
Questions that I fear will have no good answer over the next 6 months.
As of this writing, and listening to the news this morning, the oil slick is about the size of South Carolina. When grown ups worry, it's about things like this, and how it will affect our kids, and their kids.
BUT... again, as of this writing... the only areas actually seeing oil on the shore line is a marsh in Louisiana. All the other beaches remain ready for business, even though the "fear" of oil has kept many away, adversley affecting their local economies. (think what's happening right now to the seafood, fish, shrimp, oysters... )
I fear, this disaster is going to be in the news for years. Many are coming forward with ideas on how to "suck the oil" off the surface of the water, which would be great. There may be more trouble "below the water line" with sea-life. "Dispersants" a chemical designed to keep the oil from floating to the surface, or break it up, MAY be more caustic than the oil spill itself.
May 2010. An awful oil spill. Potentially catastrophic results. How are things looking in 2030?
Are we still trying to protect the environment? Does anyone still care? Or is it an all out "what's in it for me," Free for all?
Forgive my "How I met your mother" (CBS TV Show) approach to this blog... one day the kids, or grand kids will likely stumble across my ramblings, and get a look into world "as I saw it," maybe provoke some discussion. Or laughs.
This location provides the commentary, my children will find family photos on my Facebook page. Here's hoping that "Facebook" is still around and holding all those pictures and videos!
(Facebook, Twitter and other forms of "Social Media" have become huge)
A milestone... Lauren has graduated an is on to High School now... She'll be going to the top "Performing Arts" school in Jax.
