[Norfolk Newby]

With all the gloom and doom about the earth warming up, how about some G&D about it cooling down - a mini ice-age?

Some chaps in the USA have predicted that the sun is going to sleep and we can expect a long cold period (20years?)

This report is a bit OTT but gets the message across:-
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/06/14/ice_age/

This one is more about the science:-
http://earthsky.org/space/major-drop-in-solar-activity-ahead-scientists-say

And this is the NSO's web site if you want to know more about them:-
http://www.nso.edu/

I'll leave you to decide whether we need to order more thermal underwear or just keep smiling!

[yankieGirl]

The climate has been changing since the beginning of time.

Only a fool believes we, as humans, have any influence on the change.  We just have to adapt.

Here in the US powerful people have hoodwinked the masses into believing we can do something about it and these folks are laughing all the way to the bank!  Green is just a color!

[Fleecewife]

I am a fool then    Of course humans have influenced what is happening to our climate, spewing out noxious gases into the atmosphere for the last 200 years, from factory chimneys.  I haven't read NNs links because there is a lot of scaremongering around, but the scientific evidence is showing a speedier change than we could expect from 'normal' periodic climate change.  Whether humans can now reduce the effects of our past actions remains to be seen - but it will take all of us to do it, which will include the United States.

[doganjo]

I think Americans are possible brainwashed into believing it isn't us that is causing it because they need so much energy!

[yankieGirl]

Doganjo:

No brainwashing, just the truth! 

You got one thing right...We do like energy!

[robert waddell]

yep V8.S            loud pipes save lives

[Greenerlife]

Technically it isn't global warming, it's climate change.  Yes, it has been happening since the beginning of time, but there is absolutely no doubt that we are adding to it - there is significant proof.  Sad thing is that the main protagonists don't give a damn. 

[robert waddell]

well Britain is not squeaky clean on this    back in the industrial revolution these nice quaint photos you see of factory's with workers lined up smiling for the camera were taken on a sunday     any other day you could not see the factory's for smoke

[yankieGirl]

 
I wonder, do you think the groundhogs get together and discuss the fact that they are over populating my pasture. That at the rate they are digging and tunnelling, in the year 2056 the pasture will colapse and life as they know it will cease to exist?  Do you think their leaders are leading the charge to start building "green" dwellings on top of the pasture?  Think their gov't is forcing them to ... oh forget it.   hahaha

I guess time will tell who is right (me) and who is wrong. 

 

[Norfolk Newby]

Sorry if I have stirred up an ants nest here. It wasn't my intention.

I'm not a meteorologist so I don't know what is really happening to our climate. What I do know is that our local climate (mid Norfolk, England) is doing strange things. The last two springs have been warm and very dry which is bad news when you don't get much rain anyway and your plot of land is 3 feet of light sandy soil over chalk. Recent summers have been dull, cool and fairly wet and we have just had a very cold December with more snow than was wanted.

Now If this is because of global warming/climate change (for whatever reason) then more of it might make this area fairly unpleasant. Therefore a bit of cooling courtesy of a sleepy sun might help reduce the bad effects of the warming or it might make the weather a lot worse.

Perhaps the English are just over-sensitive to the weather. Perhaps we should just smile and turn up the heating/aircon/vent/pump. Or possibly revert to cave dwelling!

[shetlandpaul]

oy we were looking forward to a bit of global warming. now you tell us its going to get colder. thanks for nothing. sadly we don't have a dought if you want some of our rain feel free. saturday nights rain was quite impressive.

[Fleecewife]

 I grew up in Norfolk and the weather was different each year.  We had some huge falls of snow some years, howling winds, burning hot summers, wet springs, wet harvest, hot harvest, late frosts - everything.  The last 2 or 3 decades seem to have been hotter and drier than previously in general, but the variation over 100 years (no - that's not how long ago I lived there  ) will be less than we think.  After all, people tend to remember the extremes and forget the day to day drudgey normal weather.

Sorry if I have stirred up an ants nest here. It wasn't my intention.

I'm not a meteorologist so I don't know what is really happening to our climate. What I do know is that our local climate (mid Norfolk, England) is doing strange things. The last two springs have been warm and very dry which is bad news when you don't get much rain anyway and your plot of land is 3 feet of light sandy soil over chalk. Recent summers have been dull, cool and fairly wet and we have just had a very cold December with more snow than was wanted.

Now If this is because of global warming/climate change (for whatever reason) then more of it might make this area fairly unpleasant. Therefore a bit of cooling courtesy of a sleepy sun might help reduce the bad effects of the warming or it might make the weather a lot worse.

Perhaps the English are just over-sensitive to the weather. Perhaps we should just smile and turn up the heating/aircon/vent/pump. Or possibly revert to cave dwelling!

[yankieGirl]

I am sitting here in central Pennsylvania with a sweatshirt and socks on.  It was freezing last night (upper 40's).  I spent most of today running every piece of machinery we have, hoping it will put out a cloud of carbon monoxide/dioxide that will make the temps more summery!  hahaha

You have to look at time in terms of centuries and longer. 

[shetlandpaul]

well if we see any icebergs or sunbathers in mid feb we will inform you. looks as wet and cold as normal.

[bazzais]

@yankieGirl - 'Cause and effect' dictates that of our actions on this planet effect our locality, country, planet, galaxy, universe - blah blah

If you believe we are part of a 'normal cycle' by polluting, destroying and wasting natural limited resources then you must obviously believe that as a cycle there must have been another previous intelligent species, otherwise maybe its time to admit that this maybe the first time our planet has has to deal with our modern day pollutions?

That saying I can understand your scepticism, the 'green bandwagon crew' are very prevalent I think everywhere and some of the government schemes like carbon offsetting and stuff are just a joke.

I'm aware that I am a part of climate change - that saying I still leave the tractor on tickover all day because I cant be arsed to jumpstart it


As for a mini ice age - I'll worry about it if it happens - bbrrrr hope not to soon.

Baz