RECEDING GLACIERS PROVE THAT IT WAS WARMER 1,200 YEARS AGO THAN TODAY
According to Cathy Connor of the University of Alaska in a recent article in the Juneau Empire newspaper, "receding glaciers have revealed undeniable proof that it was much warmer in the northern latitudes 1,200 to 2,500 years ago than it is today in the same regions."
The recent retreat of Alaska’s Mendenhall Glacier has uncovered the remains of trees which grew in the area many centuries ago. As the glacier continues to melt, more stumps are revealed. It’s an ongoing process. Tree ring studies, dendrochronology, prove the age of trees.
Other glaciers in Alaska, most notably the Eagle and Herbert glaciers, likewise reveal the remains of trees of a similar age. As these ancient forests slowly emerge from their ‘frozen tombs,’ they prove that global temperatures must have been several degrees warmer in the not so distant past. The trees don’t lie.
Today, the Taku Glacier is the only glacier of the 32 glaciers in the Juneau Ice-Fields that is said to be "slowly advancing." It is pushing large live cottonwood trees "out of the way."
We are also seeing advancing glaciers covering trees in the Southern Hemisphere in New Zealand and the extreme southern tip of South America. The icepack in eastern Antarctica is "growing by leaps and bounds."
It is the opinion of this climatologist that many glaciers around the world will soon begin to advance much like they did during the ‘Little Ice Age’ between 1350 and 1850 A.D. But, once again, only time will tell.
While on the subject of ‘global cooling,’ we have had a record snowy October both in the U.S. Western Great Plains as well as in parts of Europe and northern China.
Upwards of 41 inches of snow in the Black Hills region of South Dakota killed ‘tens of thousands of cattle’ on the open ranges. Most ranchers didn’t have storm insurance. Rancher Heath Ferguson of Sturgis, South Dakota, reported that he "lost 96% of his herd." Feeder cattle prices in Chicago earlier this past week ‘skyrocketed’ to a new all-time highs near $1.70-a-pound.
Northern China saw 6-10 inches of snow between October 4-6. In Europe, Munich, Germany earlier this past week received upwards of a ‘foot’ of snow in places, the heaviest accumulations of the white stuff ever for so early in the season. Innsbruck, Austria had 4 inches of snow, which closed the famous Autobahn Roadway for several hours.
As much as 31 inches of snow fell this past week in Switzerland, a 200-year record for early season snowfall. Some ski resorts opened for business more than a month ahead of schedule.
Government weather forecasters in Great Britain and elsewhere in Europe are predicting another in a series of harsh winters in 2013-14. Fierce blizzards and brutal winds are likely to shut down schools and businesses throughout the British Isles and much of Europe.
Since the current colder trend begin in 2007, we’ve seen the canals in Venice, Italy freeze over during the mid winter months and schools close due to snow in Rome. Measurable snowfalls have been reported as far south as North Africa.
I wouldn’t be too surprised to see KILLER FREEZES this upcoming winter season in the Florida citrus and vegetable production regions. South Texas and Southern California may likewise see damaging frosts late this December or early in January. It all depends on the exact lifespan of the current chilly ‘La Nina’ sea-surface temperature event in the waters of the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Stay tuned.
