Learning to Speak Climate

The effects of climate change are slow and pernicious, suggests Thomas Friedman in his New York Times column. Too many anticipate massive disasters on the scale of Hurricane Katrina, striking New Orleans in 2005 with broken dams and flooding. But instead, notices of climate change already arrive steadily by post, warns Danish geologist Minik Thorleif Rosing, in the form of higher bills for water, fuel, food, insurance and mortgages. People who observe nature and the recent rapid changes catch themselves increasingly using three phrases, according to Friedman: “Just a few years ago,” “I’ve never seen that before” and “Well usually … but now I don’t know anymore” – all referring to odd weather patterns and disrupted activities. Friedman directs harsh criticism at societies awash in debt, hampering efforts to develop new technologies, and politicians who claim that drilling for oil and an ongoing reliance on fossil fuels is an adequate answer. – YaleGlobal

Learning to Speak Climate

Thomas L. Friedman
Thursday, August 7, 2008

Click here for the article on The New York Times.

The writer is foreign affairs columnist for The New York Times.

Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company