Of Snakes and Snowfall

SNOWFALL 

In the late 1980s, there was a dramatic step-like drop in the amount of snow falling in the Swiss Alps. Since then, snowfall has never recovered, and in some years the amount that fell was 60 per cent lower than was typical in the early 1980s, says Christoph Marty at the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research in Davos. He has analysed snowfall trends spanning 60 years and adds that the average number of snow days over the last 20 winters is lower than at any time since records began more than 100 years ago.

The future of winter tourism in the region is looking grim. "I don't believe we will see the kind of snow conditions we have experienced in past decades," he says.

It's hard say whether this marks any kind of tipping point in terms of climate change, says Marty. "But from the data it looks like a change in the large-scale weather pattern," he adds.

SNAKES

The invasion of gigantic Burmese pythons in South Florida appears to be rapidly expanding, according to a new report from a University of Florida researcher who’s been chasing the snakes since 2005.

The new document follows the February release of a U.S. Geological Survey climate map that showed — based solely on climate, not habitat — pythons could potentially survive across the lower third of the United States.

These particular snakes pose little danger to humans, but their rapid expansion in Florida does illustrate how changing climatic conditions can influence either the decline or the ascension of various species.

Polar bears are endangered, but snakes are thriving. Malarial mosquitoes are likely to appreciate warming conditions, while many trees, birds, and fish will be severely threatened.

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Putting this post and yesterday's into perspective with CRN's focus on advanced nanotechnology, consider that:

• Rising CO2 output --> increased global warming --> climate change chaos --> shifting snowfalls --> damaged economies --> social disruption --> need for solutions --> molecular manufacturing.

• Recognition of past change, especially when seen as exponentially accelerating, can help condition people to accept that nanofactory technology may arrive sooner than many observers expect, and that preparation therefore should begin immediately.

Mike Treder

Comments

[Tom Huffman]

Mike, Has anyone told the Sci-Fi Channel about these giant pythons? They seem made for one of their made-for-TV Giant Creepy Crawly weekend features.

Despite the flippant comments, I do take all this seriously, and I'm with you a thousand percent. Molecular nanotechnology needs to be part of any strategy to address Global Climate Change and Peak Oil - two crises which have to be addressed together.

[caustic_soda]

On the other hand, some parts of the world have the opposite problem...

http://www.climateaudit.org/?p=3066

Certainly has been chilly here in Chicago.