Opinion : Letter to the Editor: Climate vs. Weather

Editor:

Do you remember your geography studies from Elementary School?  I remember studding the various countries the borders climate, major crops and exports, and their religion.  Perhaps there were other subjects as well, but good grief that was in the 40’s -- yep long time ago. 

We seem to confuse climate with weather when so-called climate change is mentioned by the press or by John Kerry or Al Gore.  There last WEF meeting in Davos was interesting.   Many, many small private jet aircraft arrived at Davos – unloaded and then flew on to a larger airport to make room for the come- on flights (pollution from the fuel Jet A.  Naaah?)  One commenter stated that maybe rice production should end.  Sorry I cannot give you his name, but this is what he said – “Rice paddies are flooded prior to planting, weeds are covered by the water and are killed.  During decomposition they emit methane, the greatest of greenhouse gasses.”  (paraphrased)  so we must not only kill our cattle, but also stop rice production;  another whacky announcement.  Tropical and subtropical regions such as India, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, southern China, and Brazil all grow rice.  In the U.S. Louisiana is a major producer;  so in the major growing regions no rice.  Rice is a major staple small grain in the diets of these Asian – Pacific peoples, there is no substitute.  Ending rice production is not going to happen.  (Can’t imagine Louisiana without Cajun Jumbolia or red beans and rice.)

Now to climate regions; there are these major climates listed - Tropical, Dry, Temperate, Continental, Polar.  Canada is very likely Continental; Southern U.S. is likely Tropical, and Iowa and Midwest likely Temperate.  Thus:  Climate is a long term patter of weather in a particular area.   Weather can change from hour-to-hour day-to-day, month-to-month or even year to year (as our winter weather has changed from mild to blizzard over the last five or so years) – A regions weather patterns usually tracked for at least 30 years, are considered its climate.   As I have observed over my 82 orbits around the sun weather changes and then changes back   Blizzards of April ’73 and New Year ’s Eve ’81 were memorable.  In the ’81 blizzard we were snowed out and stayed with a neighbor six days and nights. Wind chill that night was minus 90 F.  There is no doubt he saved the lives of three children and their Mom and Dad.

When the attendees of the WEF sacrifice what they want the rest of us to do – maybe, just maybe they may become credible.  Until then I won’t do the “whacky” things they dream up.  Question everything even the existence of a higher power.  Truth comes – there is a God.

Regards and blessings,

John Stiegelmeyer