The Skinny on Climate Change

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'Climate Change'.
Two simple words, easy to say, each well-used alone, yet remarkably mischievous in this present time - the  twenty mid teens.
For some, too many in my view, it is a battle cry or a call to arms. Regrettable really.
For a smaller group, but just as misguided, it announces a conspiracy of pinkos, intent on a grander revolution along socio-economic lines.
An inbetween group hears it as a cacaphony of voices, claiming a unison that never materializes. These folk are open to staying alert, but have trouble embracing forecasts of doom that may only affect their grandchildren or later issue.

The greater part of the mischief of this phrase arises from a lack of consensus about what the phrase encompasses or signifies. I can't help thinking that depending on what camp one is in, "climate change" can imply a little or a lot.

Knowing what someone means / implies by the phrase, is critical to a sensible conversation with that person.
At a minimum, the phrase means that the planet has experienced (in the last 20 to 200 years), and is likely to experience, a modest change in average temperatures, and it may even be said to imply that  the planet has experienced and will experience a greater than usual number of adverse or extreme weather events.

At the other end of the spectrum, some believe that the phrase embraces a large catalogue of scientific 'truths' (that explain what the changes are and why they are happening - with an emphasis on human caused reasons), and further what changes will occur in the near and medium terms under different policy options, and the essential governmental policies and individual actions that are needed to forestall imminent disasters. It is this group that I do not agree with. And I note that it is near impossible to reconcile the differing explanations, forecasts & prescriptions which different subgroups within this category advance. They are not all on the same page, though rarely will any acknowledge this.

Good Climate Change
Most folk speak about climate change in the same fashion as speaking about 'child molestation'. By this I mean that the phenomena is wholly bad. It does not have and can not have any socially redeeming value is a common refrain. This is unfortunate.
From my perspective and home, I am not willing to embrace the notion that a warmer Sudbury is altogether bad. I kind of imagine it would be quite OK. Heck it might even be wonderful.
A longer growing season: good. Less snow to shovel: good. Improved road conditions: good. Lower heating bills: good. More time to swim in our lakes: good. Fewer deaths from hypothermia: good. Is there something I am missing here?