There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is his prophet. I learned that at a Christian school -- Baylor -- lo so many years ago.
A far ranging, and might I say, prolific post. I can only touch on one part -- Rita. I for one am very afraid -- politics aside -- and go to sleep tonight with the reality that yet another storm threatens our coast. It is the same every year-- like a boy scout I am always prepared -- but this year seems worse than others. Given the response when it is not FLA, I am worried. The last thing we need is a storm.
Tired and worried.
Posted by dorita at September 18, 2005 09:13 PMThe storms will only get worse over the coming decades, Dorita.
While most data does not show any correlation between global warming and storm frequency, the data does show that as the atmosphere and oceans warm up, the storms will increase in strength. The reasons for this are actually well understood. The warmer the water, the stronger the storm. This is not a mystery. So, yeah, tropical storm Rita ought to worry folks.
The second factor, which is not talked about as much, has been the rather ill-thought-out migration to the southern coasts, particularly in the Gulf. There's a reason why these states and coastlines weren't half as inhabited as they are today. Because it's freaking swampland, so-called coastal wetlands, that are basically not naturally livable and prone to getting nailed by hurricanes. New Orleans is obviously an exception to this, although it's metro area has grown and footprint as its wetlands have evaporated into landfill and been lost to the ocean. It's just really not a smart place to live. Unfortunately, government policy if anything has encouraged people to settle there.
So, throw in more people, more property and stronger hurricanes into a mix -- heck, the hurricanes don't even have to get worse to produce a bad result, just the migration of people into those areas does it -- and you get increased risk.
I think we'll all be watching tropical storm Rita over the next several days. Hopefully, it'll come to nothing beyond what it is now.
Posted by Brian Bell at September 18, 2005 09:45 PMI work for a large property and casualty insurance company and for the past 10 years, we have been systematically reducing our risk along coastal areas, particularly Florida. Our studies were showing that 1 or more major storms striking the coast had the potential to bankrupt our Fortune 100 company.
The insurance carriers know that global warming is true and are taking steps to minimize their exposure as best they can: by getting out of risky areas and by charging out the wazoo for those who elect to stay.
Posted by weinerdog43 at September 19, 2005 05:11 AMBrian Bell, and don't forget the barrier reef that is no longer there doesn't help.
Posted by Judith at September 19, 2005 06:18 PM