What is writing really like?
Back to work tomorrow,
Here we go again.
A week off passed too quickly,
And I still feel the same.
Tired and exhausted,
Perhaps they overlap,
But just need another week
To sort out so much … (well you get the idea).
I spent most of this week doing work
Yet many think teachers have it easy.
I’d like to see them do my job,
And not end up confused and queasy.
At least I have Geneva soon
To keep my mind on track.
I cannot wait for Switzerland,
But sadly I’ll be right back.
When Michelle decided to write the latest lead post from the Climate Change Collective about the difference between Weather and Climate, I was especially intrigued.
As a Geography student I changed my degree after one year to a BSc(Hons) instead of a BA(Hons) in order that I could concentrate more on physical geography. A big part of this was the study of climate, and in particular, climate change.
A lot of people mix up the two things. Often people assume a few hot or cold days mean a change in climate but generally climate is about averages. Average rainfall, temperature and windspeed. Weather is more a description of what is happening right now in our blustery skies.
Lately, a short cold burst has led to people quickly condemning the idea of climate change. This is shortsighted and doesn’t make much sense.
Over half a century, world average temperatures have increased significantly. Occasional freak weather conditions do nothing to undo this fact.
Check out Michelle’s wonderful article to find out more about this subject. I hope that you can see how important it is to be able to distinguish between Weather and Climate.
A Climate Change Collective Link Post
Every month a different member of the Climate Change Collective group of bloggers writes about a pressing environmental issue. This month, the brilliant Transatlantic Notes covers the subject of Climate Denial which is sadly rife at the moment.
You can check out the very informative article here:
My Worries
Recently I was shocked by some of the responses I got to my posts on Twitter/ X about global warming. Some people are quick to shout down anyone who wants to promote awareness about climate change.
Similarly, certain high profile politicians are happy to deny climate change altogether. They call it a liberal load of rubbish and such like, suggesting that temperature change is natural and not related to industrialisation at all.
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The Transatlantic Notes article includes various myths that have appeared in the press and helps to squash them:
Yes, there has been natural climate variability throughout history, and the planet has experienced climate shifts. However, what we’re experiencing today has scientists and experts concerned. Climate change is accelerating at a much faster pace than previous natural variations.
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In A Nutshell
As a geographer who studied environmental change in the biosphere at University, I have been aware of global warming for thirty years. Only recently has it become more widely recognised, seemingly in line with heightened affects such as heatwaves, extreme weather events and flooding.
Following the misleading nonsense of climate deniers is undoing all of the good that climate protestors and scientists are doing. Hopefully, after reading the lead article you will see that there really isn’t a time or place for the denial of climate change.
Please check out the myths about climate change linked in the post above.
For another article by the Climate Change Collective of bloggers, check outWarmer weather – What’s not to like?
