Wildfires and Global Warming

My thoughts go out to the hundreds thousands of people affected by the wildfires in France, Spain and parts of Britain.

It is a tragedy on a grand scale. I pray for everyone's safety, including the fire fighters and emergency services.

Significantly, in terms of global warming, out of all seven continents of the world, Europe is warming up the fastest.

This summer alone, I have noted that there are some days when parts of France, Italy and Spain are actually way hotter than Mumbai, India or Nairobi, East Africa, or the Canaries with temperatures in main land Europe exceeding 37 Centigrade (98.6 Fahrenheit).

I keep saying (and I'll say it again): This is not a one off. It's becoming a regular thing now, worldwide. We've got to be better prepared for this; prepare for the heatwaves, the water shortages and the wildfires.

Wolf Winship

Comments

Heatwave!

There are Red weather warnings and schools close as temperatures hit over 35C around the UK today and much of the same is expected tomorrow - only more so. That's right; it's gonna get hotter. I am astonished at the number of people out and about in this heat! I can only think that there are only four reasons so many of you are out there. 1. You're ding-bat crazy. 2. You're testing your heat tolerance levels because you get a kick out of that... And because you're also a bit crazy. 3. When the Earth is boiling and more like the Earth depicted in the film "Interstellar", you can tell your grandkids all about the good old days when the temperature was only 35C. And 4. Maybe you're that rare type of person that actually likes the heat. Whatever your reasons, I'm reminded of that phrase that comes tinged with admiration: "Only mad dogs and English men/women go out in the midday sun." Anyway,...

Global Warming Warning

Along with the heatwave hitting UK and Europe this week, apparently there has been a tornado ripping through Illinois and in Nebraska, hailstones so big - bigger than golf balls - that shattered windows. Given all these events are occurring so regularly in the world, it is clear that global warming and climate change is a real and undeniable fact. We, the human race, had better take these warnings seriously and get prepared for these extremes. Just improving heating systems and installing air conditioning in homes and work places, including hospitals, is a start. There ought to be more shelters built also, so that if people are caught out in a sudden downpour or thunderstorm, they have some where to go. Ditto, when the sun is so hot and you need to get out of the heat. These things are important. They could save lives. Wolf Winship

Andy Burnham

Face of Prime Minister in - waiting Andy Doesn't Want to Leave Home Dear, oh dear. Looks like Andy Burnham is already home sick and has rushed off from London back to Manchester, where he made his first speech today. He looked visibly nervous to me. His idea of "No.10 North" and running the country from there is clearly a feeble attempt to remain in his home town. But Andy, you can't run the country from home! His "Manchesterism" is sniggered at by more experienced politicians (if not everyone) and the press is going to have a field day with his creative new word. Poor Andy; he is like a scared young boy being sent off packing to the big school. And it doesn't look like he wants to go. This seemed to be validated when, after his speech, he refused to take questions from the press who were there for that very reason. Instead, he just walked away. On a practical consideration, all travel is easier and quicker from London - should...

Wolf Winship

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