Please do tell me your feelings, and strike up debate on this issue ;D
What is this all about? Two words for you.
GLOBAL WARMING.
See, I can just hear you all groan. But honestly, this is an issue I feel extremely strongly about, and I want to know how others feel about it.
As an A-level geography student, I'm covering the topic in some detail as part of my syllabus, and one thing that always frustrates me about the issue is how people don't seem to understand the implications of the IPCC's (International Panel for Climate Control) data and scenarios.
I know it doesn't interest many, and really, a 5/6 degree celsius in temperature and about a metres' rise in ocean levels mean very little to many of you, but honestly, the consequnces are BIG, and BAD.
Ocean temperatures are one of the issues - expect more storms and rain, more hurricanes/tornados for the USA, an increasing number of El Nino years, even a frozen English Channel.
Climate is another issue... as a result of change in ocean currents, not only with Britain's seas be much colder, the climate could become the same as that of New York - cold, snowy winters and hot dry summers.
Not to mention the issues with land heights and rising ocean levels. Feel bad for the Japanese and the peopel of Bangladesh and Netherlands.
And how does yearly storm surges sound to you all?
That, in effect, is a quick summary of the issue... and really, I just want to see where everyone stands on the topic, so if you do tell me your opinions, I'd be grateful. I find it fascinating.
[/eco-geek geog student rant]