How Today’s Extreme Cold Proves Global Warming

Anyone stepping out into the frigid temperatures sweeping across all of Canada, the Northern United States, and parts of Europe may have thought global warming took a holiday.

It is called warming, not cooling.

However, the record-breaking deep chills across a massive chunk of our planet are just one of many climatic events which proves we’re dancing on a dangerous slope with climate change, brought about by global warming.

Extreme weather – of any kind – is the tell tale sign we’re in the midst of a major climate change. And although it was cold enough in some parts to freeze water on sight, it is all due to global warming.

When you’re talking about any change on a planet-wide scale, you’re typically talking about extremely small changes over long periods of time. But because these small changes occur planet-wide, they have big repercussions.

So a one degree increase in the average global temperatures might not seem like much. But that manifests itself by one degree in either way on the extremes too.

So if over the past decade, our average temperatures have increased by one degree, that now means our hottest temperatures are 10 degrees hotter, and our coldest days are 10 degrees cooler.

Which is why today’s extremely cold conditions across the globe are a sign of global warming.

Extremes in temperatures aren’t the only cause for concern. These minuscule temperature changes over time also bring extremes in other weather too.

Our snow storms are getting more fierce, our summertime thunder storms more violent, and our fall hurricanes more treacherous.

As our planet warms, it essentially makes it more dangerous for us all.

Extreme cold weather, tornadic activity, and hurricanes with sweeping storm fronts have been known to kill off unfortunate people living in the affected areas.

Oh wait – we all live in the affected areas because these events are global – that’s the nature of global warming.

Pets, Guilt, and a Little Unconditional Love

The other day I was going to take my parent’s dog for a walk – Joey, the cutest little Bichon Frise you ever did see.

I enjoy taking Joey out, and have often thought about getting my own dog. Though pet ownership is a big responsibility, and I haven’t been brave enough to tackle that responsibility.

Back to Joey and our mutually enjoyable walks. It’s always a blast to take him out. His dark eyes light up big and wide as soon as you ask him if he “wants to go out?” His tail starts to wag so fast, it becomes a blur, and he smiles big and wide.

Yes, dogs do smile.

As I was getting his leash, he jumps and barks happily, trying to grab it out of my hand. He knows he’s going out to enjoy some fresh air, and occasionally run into some of his playmates – the other dogs in the neighbourhood.

I got his leash on, had my poopy bags in my pocket – yes I stoop and scoop – and opened the door.

It was raining!

It wasn't raining when I asked Joey if he wanted to go out. In the short five minutes or less it took to get his leash on, it began to rain.

Joey had already ran out and was standing on the porch, wagging his tail, still excited to go. He doesn't like the rain, but he was still gang-busters happy to be out on a walk.

He looked back at me, as I hesitated, knowing I was having second thoughts about going out in the rain.

Then he came up to me, pawed my leg, then ran back to the edge of the porch as far as his leash would extend.

Awe, I thought – I can’t let little Joey down.

Who could turn down cute doggy guilt?

So, I said “okay, we’ll go for a short quick walk.”

I locked the door behind me, and we went out into the pouring rain, Joey walking happily as if it was a sunny day, pulling ahead as he always did when he was excited to get out.

We didn't go for a long walk – sometimes we go out for a couple of hours – this time just about 15-20 minutes. And Joey didn't run into any of his playmates, but we were both happy to be out and about.

Joey was happy to spend some time out of the house, and I was happy I didn't let him down.

It’s amazing how much our pets mean to us. They really do become part of our families, and just like a parent with their child, we’d do just about anything to make them happy.

Though we both arrived back at my parent’s place soaked, it was an enjoyable experience. 

And I promised Joey next time we’d go on a longer walk, to make up for the shortness of this one.

And you just know I’ll keep that promise.

Don't Make Eye Contact In Today's World

I've always enjoyed the great outdoors. When I was a kid, my dad and I would go for nice bike rides along the various bike paths of the city.

Some of my fondest memories growing up are riding with my dad through the parks, ravines and beaches of Toronto.

On sunny Sundays our travels took us through not just some of the most beautiful parks in the city, but also the most populated. Maybe it’s our long Canadian winter, or maybe it's just a sense of nature calling us, but on a lazy sun-drenched Sunday, these parks were packed with people.

Families would be walking slowly on the paths, soaking up the sun. Couples would be walking hand-in-hand, enjoying the romantic allure of nature. Kids would be playing ball, tag or other fun outdoor games, running free in the urban jungle.

As we slowly rode through the crowds, we'd smile and nod to those we passed by. They in turn would smile and nod hello back, some even saying 'hi' or commenting on how wonderful a day it was.

Time shift forward to today, and you'd swear you were entering a completely different world. People avoid eye contact at all costs. And if your eyes happen to meet, they are met with unwelcoming hostility instead of warmth.

I went for a walk in the park near my home the past couple of weekends. The weather was perfect -- sunny and warm. As in the past, the park was filled with others all enjoying the good weather.

Or were they?

They seemed to be enjoying themselves up until our paths crossed. Just as we past each other they would flash a look of hatred and anger my way, despite my warm smile.

Maybe I hadn't smiled at all -- I thought. Maybe it was my fault they showed displeasure at my presence?

As I continued my walk, I'd continue to smile and nod hello to others as I passed them. That's the Canadian thing to do. I noticed that the only people that were not responding positively back were those obviously not from around here.

Canadians warmly greeted me as I strode past. Others gave me the hairy eyeball, making me feel most unwelcome.

Perhaps, I thought, back in there country of origin no one made contact with others out of fear of repression? Maybe other places around the globe are so hostile that no one dare make eye contact?

Then I overheard one kid ask his father: “why'd that white man smile at you dad?”

The parent responded in another language as I walked past.

I never figured I was being evil eyed because I was white.

We Canadians warmly welcome others to our once great land, only to get slammed for not being the same race of those we welcome?

What a horrible world we live in, when parents teach their kids to hate others not like them. What a horrid future we as a country and a civilization will be, when others think it okay to discriminate against others not just like them.

What an awful world to live in when a smile 'hello' is used to teach others to hate.