More Hot Weather For Southern California, Says UCLA Study
The L.A. Times reports on a study by UCLA climate researchers who conclude, based on supercomputer analysis of a model "2,500 times more precise than previous climate models for the region" that the area around L.A. will experience more (and more extreme) hot spells in decades to come. From the article: "The study, released Thursday, is the first to model the Southland's complex geography of meandering coastlines, mountain ranges and dense urban centers in high enough resolution to predict temperatures down to the level of micro climate zones, each measuring 2 1/4 square miles. The projections are for 2041 to 2060. Not only will the number of hot days increase, but the study found that the hottest of those days will break records, said Alex Hall, lead researcher on the study by UCLA's Institute of the Environment and Sustainability."
Well , I did look.
In the last 2.5 million years we have had about 2 dozen ice ages that virtually covered most of the landmass north of 50 degrees latitude throughout the world. Each time, the orbital variations of the earth changed and the climate warmed & the ice sheets melted away. Species of plants and animals came and went and mankind had nothing to do with it. Early hominids did live through these cycles, however, and who knows if the cycles resulted in furthering the emergence of modern man?
These changes were accomplished without the input of mankind and look like they will happen again, regardless of what man does.
The last time a multi-decade abrupt climate change occurred was the Maunder Minimum which we think was caused by a long term solar cycle where sun spots mostly ceased for a period of decades. Again, the Sun caused the problem and not mankind. As of yet solar scientists do not know how often that cycle repeats or why, though they are certainly trying to figure it out.
There will NEVER be an end to climate cycles on the Earth, just as they have existed in the past. The Sun and Earth's orbital changes will cause most changes and man can not stop these even if he tries. There also is the law of unintended consequences. Suppose you actually lower the temperature of the earth by 2 degrees by some man directed activity and you induce a little ice age. Who is liable for the people who die and countries who suffer the most?