Climate Change Concerns: Is the Gulf Stream getting wonky?

The Gulf Stream escalator and warming action isn’t being its dependable self this year and people in the British Isles are suffering the cold consequences.

Also, as a result of more snow than in many previous years, visitors from London, England are here in London, Canada to observe how typical Canadians handle winter.

(I mentioned earlier that fleece-lined underpants, furnaces and a creative spirit come in handy. Any other ideas?)

In an article entitled ‘Showing them how winter is done’ in this morning’s London Free Press we learn why our visitors are concerned. I read the following:

Current reports indicate there will be no let-up soon in the nastiest blast of winter to hit Britain, France and Germany in years. Freezing rain and snowstorms in some areas have disrupted road, rail and air travel, resulting in a rising number of weather-related deaths.

Michael Herrod, an editor for The Independent Television News, said, “The unusual conditions are a result of the Gulf Stream, a powerful, warm and swift current from the Gulf of Mexico, crossing the Atlantic Ocean at a more southerly point than normal. It usually moderates the weather in Britain, but it's not happening this year."

While here, Herrod and his crew will learn ‘that daytime high temperatures of -6 -- Environment Canada's forecast for the London region tomorrow -- doesn't faze us (and) neither does 20 centimetres of snow, forecast for some areas of the U.K. today.’

But I bet he’d also like to learn what the long term consequences will be for his country and countrymen if the Gulf Stream escalator turns wonky due to climate change for a few years in a row, or longer.

And what would those consequences be?

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More details tomorrow.

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