By Mike DuBose
Most Americans don’t understand Climate Change – I didn’t. As an unbiased researcher, I write without private opinions but want to review the facts – not what politicians, government, and media promote. With open minds, please allow me to share my in-depth studies from many reputable sources that will surprise you . . . as it did me.
Before climate discussions surfaced, I became curious when we flew over Greenland and witnessed so much ice breaking up. Visiting Alaska, concerned bush pilots shared how glaciers are disappearing or melting (Muir Glacier has retreated 7 miles and “thickness” decreased by 2,500 feet). Yet, Alaskan Hubbard Glacier, the largest North American ice-structure, spanning six miles long and 40 stories tall, is growing. This all can be confusing. Who should we believe? Is Global Warming something to be concerned about?
Most would agree that back-to-back Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused tremendous damages, like unexpected 1,000-year-floods in Asheville, NC that wiped out communities. The storms, with high winds, power outages, and flooding, caught many off guard, including senior meteorologists. We are reminded of the Midland’s 100-year-flood where we experienced a stalled tropical storm with sudden torrential rainfall that flooded our cities, homes, and businesses.
Growing up in the 1950’s, most people didn’t have air conditioning in cars, schools, or homes. Summers were warm but not sizzling hot – 2024 will be the hottest year on record. We’re currently reading about severe droughts, floods, and ongoing wildfires in Canada and Western US, while numerous horrific tornados and hurricanes pound America. Water shortages are growing – forty-million people in the Southwest depend on the 1,500-mile Colorado River; yet, its water level is declining. States are scrambling to ration the river’s limited water. One has to ask: “Is something going on in our atmosphere that caused these dreaded attacks?” There’s convincing evidence that Earth is warming. But, is it caused by nature, humans, or combination of both?
I hear extensive misinformation spread by those who support or disagree with the Climate-Change phenomena. It’s hard to decipher what’s true or false. One Washington politician spread bizarre rumors that the government controlled latest hurricane-killers Helene and Milton – thousands of conspirators, spread the word to millions which translated delusional-thinking into proven information.
Now, let’s review how Americans think about climate change. According to the 2024 Pew Foundation Survey, 88 percent of Republicans and conservatives: promote energy independence, don’t believe Global Warming is a threat, and support increasing fossil fuel production. However, 70 percent of the same groups support building solar power farms, harnessing wind power, and building more nuclear plants. On the opposing political side, 78 percent of Democrats and progressives strongly advocate clean or green energy (wind-solar-wind power), think Global Warming is a growing menace, and should be a national priority. Others don’t have an opinion or think contrary to their politics. This independent series is not supporting any single theory or political viewpoint.
Let’s begin with nature affecting our horrific weather. I was surprised to learn that based on radiometric dating Earth is more than four-billion years old. Evidence documents 100 million warmer years ago, the ocean covered most of Eastern US. As a child, I remember finding seashells in the sand near my home in Darlington, South Carolina (far from the current coast). In fact, half of South Carolina experienced ancient ocean waters. When global temperatures drop, ice forms at the North and South poles; then ice spreads and covers the continents. Earth began cooling 3 million years ago which resulted in five North American major Ice Ages.
Some who deny Climate Change as a major problem reference the horrific weather, particularly hurricanes: “It’s just nature.” Good point. I examined the number of storms recorded since weather history began in 1851. Individuals who take this perspective were correct in that the US had many hurricanes over the last 173 years. The National Hurricane Center reported each decade had about two “annual” hurricanes. Important. The Atlantic hurricane season in a “single year” (2020) witnessed a whopping 30-named-tropical storms, 14 hurricanes (7 of which were major 3-5 categories), and was the worst severe US weather ever recorded – 2024 will break records. Hurricanes are now forming from tropical storms to rapidly becoming forceful hurricanes because of warm waters. NASA reported when Helene and Milton traveled over the Gulf of Mexico, water temperatures were 88 degrees which provided potent fuel for the storms to become immensely powerful (Cat-4-5) in brief time periods.
Warm waters are also impacting worldwide-ice. International Glacier Collaboration determined that strong heated ocean currents traveling beneath West Antarctica’s Thwaites Glacier (the size of Florida) and melting it “from the bottom-up,” are making it vulnerable to breaking apart in pieces. It has so much ice that if it were to melt and disintegrate, sea-level rises could increase. Worldwide, there are 200,000 glaciers that cover 5 million square miles and contain 2 percent of Earth’s water that’s frozen and could be impacted by increased temperatures.
So, there’s a high-probability that the Earth goes through natural heating and cooling evolutions but scientists are unable to determine exact causes. Most research indicates Earth’s varying orbits around the sun, position in the solar system, and the planet’s tilt variations can cause climate change. One has to wonder: “Does the Earth experience long-term seasons over millions of years like we experience every few months? Are we in a warming period?”
Our next article will focus on possible human causes of Climate Change and Global Warming. Stay tuned. Mike voluntarily authors these articles for 5 newspapers as part of his purpose “Creating opportunities to improve lives.” Visit his nonprofit website www.mikedubose.com and register to receive his monthly articles or Daily Thoughts plus free access to his books, including “The Art of Building Great Businesses.” The website includes 100+ published articles he has written on business, travel, and personal topics, in addition to health research with Surb Guram, MD, Allison Cashman, MD, and David Hurst, D
