Floods in London after 70mm of rain fell in 90 minutes. Yes that is heavy rainfall but should not have led to flood waters a metre high. The reason being that we have paved over vast areas of our cities and towns to create parking spaces. What we really need is to create more sponge type areas. mature trees can absorb 250lts or more per day, with the added benefit of ameliorating temperature extremes, and during hot spells providing welcome shade and habitats for wildlife.
WEATHER
Excellent. Perhaps not usual July weather, but wet and cool. My water butts are full, I am saved an hour or two of watering and all my new plants seem to be thriving. The forecast is for a bit of heat wave later in the month so I look forward to enjoying the best of the British weather at its best, providing a little of something for everyone.
My tomatoes are nearly ready for ripening (I have picked 3 so far) but my next job is drying herbs and putting in jars, jam making, then sun dried tomatoes.
CLIMATE CHANGE
Parliament shuts down on 22 July so they can all scuttle off to wherever. The month of August used to be called the ‘silly season’ as newspapers basically had to make up headline news to replace the news coming out of Westminster. This year however it is the chance to leave behind the comedy club (except it has not been funny – just embarrassingly useless) and take time to reflect on the real issues. No more gaffs by Bozo and Co for a couple of months.
HURRICANE SEASON
It is only June and the hurricane season is under way. Danny dumped 150mm of rain on Alabama but no great damage. There are a couple of weather systems to keep a watch on, but neither have been named – Elsa is next, to be followed by Fred. There has been a rare hurricane in the South Atlantic which has been named Raoni by the Brazilian navy and has brought winds in excess of 110kph.
Climate change? I think that no one event can be put down exclusively to global warming/climate change, but the collective increase in weather related incidences. Further problems occur when trying to compare historic data. Deaths are inevitably a key statistic, but world population has trebled since 1950, more people have moved to places like Florida meaning that insurance claims have increased. More people have built houses in fire vulnerable situations and in flood danger areas. And we have ever better recording devices including satellites. However despite these caveats it does seem that our weather has made some changes. In the UK spring is coming earlier, temperatures are creeping up, subtle changes. Wildlife with no border controls or passports and visa’s seems to be reflecting this.
CANADA WEATHER
WEATHER
Weather has always been, and is, capricious, but record breaking temperatures in Western Canada and the USA, stretching up to the Arctic are of concern. It would be easy to quote global warming and climate change, but this might be too simplistic. Extreme weather events have happened throughout history. However it would be naive to ignore the nearly 50 degree centigrade temperatures. The high pressure is spreading across the North American continent bringing high temperatures across the Great Plains and into the Great Lakes region. Will, this impact on grain production?
I will do a weekly review of world weather in future. Basra reported 49C, whilst Bankok 36C, New York 35C and New Delhi 42C were also high. Looking for a cooler destination? Wellington 8C seems nice! So we have not had a great summer sun wise in Somerset this year so far, but the garden has been brilliant and I guess this is true for farmers? (Although they always moan!).
SCHOOL ARCHITECTURE
HURRICANES
The North Atlantic Hurricane Season has officially started (1st June to 30 November). Predicted to be above average. For 2021, a likely range of 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher) is expected. NOAA provides these ranges with a 70% confidence.
TIPPING POINTS – CLIMATE CHANGE
Research this for yourself as it is not pleasant reading!
CLIMATE CHANGE
Forget Covid. That was a blimp. This is the mega problem – not inevitably a disaster, but probably. G7 will meet amongst the seagulls inn Cornwall this summer. I do not particularly care about the economic bollocks they agree. Whether they actually agree something substantial and verifiable could. be momentous. But then I woke up!
I just hope the seagulls take out some drones and shit on the smug bastards!