The jet stream is one of those things in the weather report that we pay little attention to . Will it rain? Will it be warm?–That we care about. Pressure fronts and the jet stream?–We shrug our shoulders. The trouble is, those things are terribly, terribly important.
Recent reports tell us that human activity seems to be changing the jet stream. The study is done by Drs. Jennifer Francis and Steven Vavrus., and it needs to be validated as all scientific studies are, but the news is ominous. The current report comes from “multiple lines of evidence.” The report deserves to be taken very seriously because it fits into what we already know like the missing link. Because it explains other phenomena, it carries extra weight.
Scientist have been concerned about a major unexpected result from warming,– extreme weather events. This outcome was unforeseen. Now we see that changes in the jet stream, the major determiner of weather in the Northern Hemisphere.is a mechanism that explains the results that we see. Warming of the Arctic, greater than warming at the equator, causes changes to the jet stream, which in turn causes weather events to “stick.” Droughts last longer. Atmospheric rivers of rain last longer., Cold spells and blizzards last longer.
Yes, we will wait for further validation intellectually, but should not wait to follow the Precautionary Principle. The principle says this: Just in case climate change is on the level, we need to change behavior. We have nothing to lose and a better, healthier life to gain. To ignore it is to recklessly endanger human wellbeing.
Nevertheless.blog 