Texas prides itself on their independent spirit, freedom from regulation and avoidance of any interference from the Federal Government. Every 10 years, a predictable recurring weather cycle, highlights the folly of a policy that does not incent or demand compliance for the sake of their citizens. Mother Nature returns to haunt them. The energy industry has chosen to avoid investments in cold weather protections for the components they rely on to power the Texas electrical grid. Indeed, they have the only non connected infrastructure in our country, no electricity sharing with either the east or west grids that border their state. Many citizens have no power or water during this deep freeze across the State-lives are put at risk. The former Governor says Texans are willing to tough it out to maintain their independence—easy to say if you have resources to compensate. Who is to blame, according the the current Governor, it is the dysfunction of renewable energy sources, wow, more lies and disinformation. Leadership voids put all citizens at risk.
Global warming is a real issue and volatile weather patterns will become more common. If the earth is warming-why the cold, seems the opposite of what we should expect. Winter still happens says one New York Times weather expert. It is yet a science based theory but the sudden bursts of Arctic Cold, a polar vortex, is generally contained by a strong circulating jet stream. The warming Northern Hemisphere appears to be weakening the upper level winds allowing warm air in the stratosphere to invade the vortex, extremely cold Arctic air spills into the lower latitudes.
Katharine Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist, her YouTube videos are cleverly produced and have coined the new term Global Weirding. In one video titled, “What’s the Big Deal with a Few Degrees?”, she uses the example of a child having a fever of 100. Just two degrees over normal. You do not feel well when you are running a fever. Our planet is not feeling well either. Burning fossil fuels is generating 75% of the greenhouse gas in the world while agriculture, deforestation, and other life style factors contribute 25%. The planet is trying to absorb 51 billion tons of green house gas emitted each year. We need to get to ZERO by 2050. Green energy, life style changes, electric cars, one day clean hydrogen may take the forefront, geoengineering may allow us to disburse particles in the upper atmosphere to reduce heat from the sun, recycling helps on the margin. We must make progress or the storm and fire extremes will continue and grow. If all of the ice at the poles melt, the oceans would be 100 feet higher. Idaho may be beach front property. We really should do something now.
Meanwhile, wear those masks and be persistent about getting your vaccine when it is your turn. Stay well. Mike