With the drought situation in Utah I've heard some speculation about global warming. Some of my associates are speculating that there must be something to this global warming idea.

Meanwhile, residents on the eastern seaboard (from Maine to North Carolina) are wondering if they will have a summer this year. I watched the rain delayed PGA tournament broadcast for a few minutes yesterday afternoon. One commentator stated that 17 of 24 weekends this year have seen precipitation on the east coast.

So what of this global warming thing?

I took a meteorology class my last quarter at the University of Utah. I needed hours more than anything else. My required course work for economics was long since completed. Besides, a good friend of mine is a meteorologist working at a television station in Nampa, Idaho. So I had an interest.

My professor was emphatic. No case has been made for global warming. His point was that if such a problem existed it would be manifested in odd ways. Warming would lead to more evaporation. Increased evaporation would lead to more clouds. More clouds would cause the temperatures to moderate.

Global cooling would have the opposite effect. Less evaporation, less clouds, increased temperatures, etc. So the data is inconclusive.

The bigger point impressed me more. This professor (I have forgotten his name, but not the lessons) pointed out the miracle of this earth's weather systems. How there is a balancing act that moderates temperature, precipitation and other climate creating factors.

I thought about this as Champ and I passed the cherry tree on our walk this morning. We had one last cherry eating session. As I ate I wondered. How were these cherries pollinated? There isn't likely a pollinator tree present. The bees were the most likely source. Another one of those small miracles.

Farther along my path I passed gardens planted by my neighbors. They have put time and effort into preparation, planting and watering. More work will be required to realize any benefit. A bit of faith goes a long way.

Food, clothing and shelter are all essentials that my kids take for granted. They just magically appear and are provided for them. It's expected. I don't blame them. I was no different. But now my thoughts keep going back to that little cherry tree. What set of circumstances had to combine to make it possible for Champ and me to enjoy a few handfuls of fruit.

The tree is wild. It's obvious that nobody planted it and tended it. This year alone there have been string of small miracles. Frost didn't kill the blossoms. Then there was the matter of pollination. Sufficient water wasn't a problem. The adult version of the worms seem to be unaware of it.

At this point in my life it amazes me when everything comes together and works out. And if getting those cherries here is amazing, just think how difficult it is to provide food for 6 billion people. That we have all the resources we need for all of us is truly amazing.

Sure, some still go without. There is still a great deal of want in the world. That's more of a political issue, however...........
10:55:04 AM    comment []