North Pole Heat Wave

As the Polar Vortex descends upon us once again, bringing with it single digit temperatures and yet another blog post from the Climate Guy, here's a question for you, dear reader.

What's the weather been like at the North Pole? Check out the video on the link below and you might be surprised. If you have been a regular reader of this blog over the past few weeks, you won't be.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/624866.htm

Newton's Third Law states: "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." Let's use that as a starting point, shall we? Warmer air pushes into the polar region, causing the polar vortex to shift to the south. Sub-zero temps migrate south, into Canada and the US. We starting freezing our tootsies off.

As always, we can argue this topic and if the above truly does apply in this case. But, is it just a coincidence that the Arctic has seen its highest temperatures in an estimated 44,000 years while we experience the coldest January in God knows how long? When warmer air moved into the area at the North Pole, that cold air had to go somewhere, right?

That is an example of changing climate patterns. I am not saying that it is definitive evidence that all of this is caused by global warming. I'm just pointing out that it could be pointing in that direction. If events like this continue to take place with ever increasing frequency...well, you get the idea. I don't have to whack you in the head with this stuff everyday. Just 2-3 times a week.

Rush Limbaugh and Climate Change

I hate Rush Limbaugh. Anyone who knows me is aware of that. I do not like him strictly for the reason that he gets on the air and spouts bullshit, lies and falsehoods to those who listen to his show. Sadly, most of those who listen to Rush Limbaugh on a regular basis believe every word he says.

I am not one of these people.

Take for instance Mr. Limbaugh's comments the other day about the Polar Vortex. Limbaugh accuses the Liberal Media (hasn't he come up with a new term yet?) of making up the term "Polar Vortex" just to explain away the cold snap. He alleges that before the single digit an below zero temperatures we have seen this month, there was no such thing as a Polar Vortex.

He's wrong. (I know. I am as shocked as you are.)

 Go look at a meteorological book or website. Go study the maps and charts that show the global wind currents, jet streams and the trade winds, the Easterlies and Westerlies. Try to gain just a basic understanding of how the Earth's rotation leads to air currents and weather patterns. Go look up the Coriolis Effect. Do this now. It will only take a few minutes. I'll wait.

Start here:  http://www.education.noaa.gov/Weather_and_Atmosphere/Weather_Systems_and_Patterns.html

Ok. Did you do it? Ready to move on? Ok.

Below is a link from Huffington Post Live that play Rush Limbaugh's comments and two scientists' responses.

http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/archive/segment/weather-expert-responds-to-rush-limbaughs-polar-vortex-comments/52cc1a80fe3444252400001a

Now, you can believe whatever you want. If you like Rush Limbaugh, that's your right (although why you would be here reading this blog is beyond me). Just because you BELIEVE it doesn't mean it is true. That's why I am here. To help you learn whats true and what's bullshit propaganda. I would just like people to know what the real science says.

Mr. Limbaugh and I each have an agenda. Mine is to help raise awareness about a growing Climate concern, get people to do research so they may form insightful and informed opinions. Rush's agenda is to be a bombastic, misinformed and inaccurate asshole.

If your washing machine breaks, you don't call a pizza delivery man to fix it. So, with that in mind, if you want real facts and solid scientific research about Climate Change, the Environment or weather patterns, don't go to Rush Limbaugh.