The subtleties of climate change

I decided to start documenting the small but strange occurrences reported in the media that may somehow relate to climate change. This is not to say everything is a result of human emissions that are altering the climate since any quick study of the field will tell you that in complex systems such as the climate system, it is never easy to distinguish cause and effect. Still I figured we might as well look out for any trends in climate change.

Zoo Bears Hibernate:

First on the list is news from Sweden yesterday (Jan 22nd 2007) that 2 of the 3 captive bears at Kalmar Zoo in Southern Sweden have just gone into hibernation while the third is wandering around looking sleepy. Normally these bears go into hibernation for the winter around september. However the winter has been so mild that in 2007 the bears are still active well into January. Recent media here has also mentioned spring-time flowers and pollen releases not normally associated with this time of year.

Poke in the eye saves shark victim:

There had been a rash of white pointer sightings in recent weeks thanks to unusually cold waters off Eden, but such an attack was unheard of, Mr Luobikis said. "I have been a professional diver in Eden for 36 years and I'm not aware of any white pointer attacks in that time,'' he said.

Sydney battles the heat but ocean is cold:

A MAN drowned at Little Bay and rescue workers searched for two other men reported missing in the water at Dolls Point as Sydney baked in 41-degree heat yesterday… Thousands sought respite at beaches across the city, where water temperatures were again up to 5 degrees below average. "You can see the shock on people's faces as they walk into the water," said Michael Brown, of the rescue and research organisation Surfwatch. He recorded a sea temperature of 18 degrees during a dive off Palm Beach. "I've never seen anything like this before," he said.

Flinders Ranges hit by huge floods:

January 20, 2007 - It's the largest flood station owner Dean Rasheed has seen and he reckons it could well be the heaviest to hit South Australia's Flinders Ranges since European settlement.

Homes flooded as deluge hits Victoria:

January 20, 2007 - Homes in bushfire ravaged western Victoria have been flooded and residents elsewhere are bracing for more of the same as a massive rain band switches the threat from fire to floods….Weather forecaster Ward Rooney said he could not remember when the state last reported such contrasting extreme weather conditions.

Town imports water after running dry

January 21, 2007 - The central NSW town of Wallabadah has become the 12th community in the state to import water after running dry today…

Funnel-webs move to new burbs

February 03, 2007 - POTENTIALLY deadly funnel-web spiders have invaded the inner suburbs of Brisbane for the first time.

I’ll add more if things make the papers.

Best

\R