Extreme Weather: A Family Dinner Table Talk

This week's Family Dinner Table Talk, from HuffPost and The Family Dinner book:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has declared 2011 one of the most extreme weather years in history. Parts of the United States are experiencing triple-digit heat waves and record droughts. This year's drought is so severe that it is being compared to the Dust Bowl on the 1930s. The current heat wave and drought has had several ramifications for the food system: farmers can't grow crops or feed their cattle and poultry is dying by the thousands.

A leading cause of extreme weather is climate change, in which many scientists agree there is an indisputable correlation. Thus, as global warming continues, events such as heavy rainfall, flooding, heat waves and droughts are only expected to continue in the future.

Why are we not listening more to scientists? Should we accept and adapt to this extreme weather? During a drought, what are some ways one can conserve water? What are some ways to reduce global warming? How can we bring more attention to the issue of extreme weather and its growth? How can you stay cool during a heat wave? Is it possible to control the weather?

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Comments

[SharedHumanity]

09:26 AM on 07/16/2011

I guess I'll need to head for the beach house when it is really hot and go to the mountain retreat if coastal flooding occurs.

Random Wealthy American

[greyhound2]

08:59 AM on 07/16/2011

What doesn't figure into the Global Warming debate, however, is the record number of severe earthquakes which have also hit. First in Haiti, then Chile, then New Zealand, then Japan, then back to Chile. These earthquakes are on top of blizzard winters, massive flooding, tornadoes and record heat waves. Scary.

[Amalek]

10:01 AM on 07/16/2011

It will all end soon, the rapture has already occurred (only Natalie Holloway was taken).  Jesus will return shortly after Glenn Beck's summer rally in Jerusalem, and then the fun and games will really begin.

[doxienan]

08:39 AM on 07/16/2011

Families should discuss water conservation. If kids learn early on to not waste water (and other natural resources) the world will be a better place.

Global warming is a very real problem. Families should talk about it, but little children can become frightened. Parents need to be very careful about how much information they give their kids. It's probably best to talk about conservation and respecting the environment, and taking them to natural places so the kids can appreciate the natural world. Rather than take a trip to disneyworld, take the kids hiking/camping.

By the time a child is 12 or 13, it's time to discuss how climate change is going to effect their future. The next few generations are going to have to adapt to a changing world.

[Dredd]

07:05 AM on 07/16/2011

The government has evinced a proclivity to be controlled by hydrocarbon suppliers for decade upon decade.

They have been sold on the notion of triage as a solution to this catastrophic crisis.

http://blogdredd.blogspot.com/2011/06/new-government-climate-change-policy.html

[glowdotor]

11:58 PM on 07/15/2011

Move to Canada.