I’m Dreaming Of A White Beijing
Whoops. No need to dream:
Up to 40 people have been killed and thousands more left homeless after unusually early winter blizzards hit north-central China.
The heavy snowfalls caused nearly 10,000 buildings to collapse and destroyed almost 500,000 acres of winter crops, Chinese officials said. More than 158,000 people have had to be evacuated from their homes.
Around half the estimated 40 deaths resulted from traffic accidents, as the unexpected weather caused havoc on ungritted roads…
…Beijing has been hit by three successive waves of snow, forcing the cancellation or delay of scores of flights.
Just two weeks ago, the Western press was credulously reporting Beijing’s claims that the snowfall was man-made. Now it’s a natural disaster. Which is it?
Well, common sense (all too rare these days, especially in members of the media) would lead one to believe it is cold and snowing in China.
No, the Chinese government is not able to make widespread snow. Mother nature, however, can handle it easily. Now ask yourself: Why, exactly, is a very, very slight increase in global temperatures to be feared (IF it is actually happening at all)? As opposed to early snow, collapsed buildings and destroyed crops?
Environment | Gaius November 14, 2009
