The eternal Autumn sparks more global warming fears

 

Last updated at 22:00pm on 3rd December 2006

 

Flowers are blooming on the slopes of Alpine ski resorts and bears are having trouble hibernating in Siberia amid the late start to winter.

Rare December pollen is troubling asthma sufferers as far north as Scandinavia, sales of winter clothing are down and Santa Claus is having to reassure children his sleigh will take off on Christmas Eve, snow or no snow.

From Ottawa to Moscow, temperatures have been way above average at the start of the winter in the northern hemisphere -- with exceptions including a rare snowstorm in Dallas, Texas.

Like many places, Austria has had the mildest autumn since records began and many ski resorts have delayed the season's start. Snow cannons are idling on green slopes that would usually be pistes, shrinking the billion-dollar winter business.

"The mountain peaks are shining white - but not white enough that we can expect skiers to go there," said Martin Ebster, tourism director of St. Anton in the Arlberg ski resort, which postponed the season start to next weekend.

Meteorologists have recorded the azure trumpet-shaped Alpine gentian flower as high as 1,100 metres (3,609 ft) in the Austrian Alps, and the vernal forsythia in some valleys.

France's Val d'Isere and Swiss St. Moritz have been forced to scrap next weekend's international world cup downhill ski races.

The Swiss Retail association said the warmth contributed to a 3.4 percent year-on-year fall in September sales of clothes and shoes because of low sales of winter clothing.

Warm weather also helps keep a lid on energy prices because of low heating demand.

And from Siberia to Estonia, bears have had trouble going to sleep for their winter hibernation because their hideaways are uncomfortably warm, soggy and damp.

Renowned for frosty winters, Moscow started the calendar winter on Dec. 1 with the warmest December day since records began in 1879 - 4.5 degrees Celsius (40.1 Fahrenheit).

Snows are also late in Rovaniemi near the Arctic Circle in Finland where Finns believe Santa Claus has his headquarters.

Contacted in Rovaniemi, a jovial man who identified himself as Santa said: "I'm not worried... There will so much snow and frost that people will whine that it is too cold."

"The sleigh will slide this year too. The sleigh will slide on Christmas Eve this year, even if there was no snow at all."

The Norwegian Meteorological Institute says it will start measuring pollen - mainly from hazel trees - on Monday for the first time before New Year as a service to asthma sufferers.

Many scientists say a single warm winter is most likely part of the natural variations of an unpredictable climate. Still, years of mild temperatures fit predictions of global warming, widely blamed on human use of fossil fuels.

"It's warmer, it starts snowing later, and the snow disappears earlier," said Karl Gabl of the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics in Innsbruck, Tyrolia.

"We believe recent years of unusual warmth are linked to human activities and global warming," said Ketil Isaksen, a climate researcher at the Norwegian Metereological Institute.

If it continues in coming decades, global warming could be the death knell of many low ski resorts.

The U.N. Environment Programme warned in 2003 that rising temperatures, widely blamed on emissions from power plants, factories and cars were likely to raise the snow line steadily higher up mountains and cripple low-lying ski resorts.

It's very worrying, the effects that global warming are having on the world. Not much is actually being done to prevent it either, which is even more worrying.

No, its not happening. No, no no no no.

I seriously think there's nothing we can do to stop alot of the changes.

Although we'll be taxed due to them anyway...

Faster as anyone thought we are in the process of global warming...and now as they realize the consequences they will do something to stop the unstoppable process.....blind,really selfish and we are the generation who has to live with it. But I think everyone can join organisation to achieve a balance between the people and the nature. We are not allowed to close our eyes!!

Ah well, it's better with global warming than without.

 

Otherwises we will be a very cold Minus 30 C, so almost as cold as this house where the central heating has decided to fuck up :(

Oh how I hate this warm autumn/winter whatever......it shopuld be cold yeah damn cold....

 

I really wonder if this year will be an exception or if it will become normal the next years.....actually I can't believe that...

Global warming...so much bullshit...its bad science!

Global warming...so much bullshit...its bad science!

 

Yet more hypocrisy!:rolleyes:

Yet more hypocrisy!:rolleyes:

 

Yeah science is all hypocrisy! lets rely on voodoo and magic!:laugh3:

Maybe its the earth gods mad at us and thats the reason why weather gets bad sometimes!

Yeah science is all hypocrisy! lets rely on voodoo and magic!:laugh3:

 

Your problem is that you only believe the "science" you want to, and blindly dismiss all the rest.............................. ;);)

Your problem is that you only believe the "science" you want to' date=' and blindly dismiss all the rest.............................. ;);)[/quote']

 

I believe anything even if i dont like it. You ONLY believe what suits your already made up reality. If i see evidence that shatters mine, ill believe it. But unlike you, ill side with science, backed up by facts and lots of research. You can stick with your black magic:\

I believe anything even if i dont like it. You ONLY believe what suits your already made up reality. If i see evidence that shatters mine' date=' ill believe it. But unlike you, ill side with science, backed up by facts and lots of research. You can stick with your black magic:\[/quote']

 

I'm afraid you're completely deluded.:rolleyes:

I'm afraid you're completely deluded.:rolleyes:

 

 

 

What are you trying to say maccas? :lol:

I'm afraid you're completely deluded.:rolleyes:

 

By science...its a shame isnt it. :laugh3:

By science...its a shame isnt it. :laugh3:

 

I think you're confusing science with scientology.......................... ;)

I think you're confusing science with scientology.......................... ;)

 

 

Really? because i take medicine....guess believe in scientology:laugh3:

Global warming...so much bullshit...its bad science!

 

climate change is bullshit?

climate change is bullshit?

 

According to Nick, yes. He only believes in his own scientific "sources"!!:rolleyes:

According to Nick' date=' yes. He only believes in his own scientific "sources"!!:rolleyes:[/quote']

 

 

Yes science has been proving what the socialist are saying is utter BS. And no i dont rely on black magic like Marky mark, just real science.