Radical Noesis - Thinking outside the box

Many who don't seem to appreciate the relatively temperate and wet climate to the Northwest are thrilled with the rising temperatures and drier climate. Those of us who love it here mourn the increasing possibility of the death of the flora that make the Northwest what it is.

The report points to the effect that the melting Arctic is having on Puget Sound with rising water levels. It note the increasing threat of infestations as trees weaken, and the rising fire threat as things dry out. Anecdotally, the increasing late winter rains are causing tremendous undergrowth proliferation which then dries rapidly. This then provides ready kindling for wildfires.

Local economists point to the drastic economic effects that global warming - and the changes it brings - are likely to have on the regional economy. That price tag is huge. Diminishing snow packs alone 'negatively affect agriculture, forestry, tourism, and hydropower - major portions of Oregon's $121 billion economy."

On the positive side, the Pacific Northwest has been relatively open to environmental programs, and greener practices. Wind farms in the gorge, public transit using cleaner natural gas, recycling and the popularity of hybrids may mitigate some of the damage. Unfortunately, this is a global and not a regional problem. No matter how green the PNW tries to be, general U.S. practices, as well as the global ineffectiveness at cutting greenhouse gases undermines local efforts.

Of course, that should not stop us, or anyone else, from leading the way to a smaller footprint. One can just hope for a change of heart, and of policies and practices, at a global level.