And the Winds Blow And the Temperature Rises

We are in the third month in Northern California of remorseless north winds. 

It is June 8, 2013,  and the temperature is supposed to hit 112 today.  And the winds blow and the temperature rises.

The north winds typically blow when a high pressure zone is moving into the western coastal region.  But, it is usually offset by a "Delta Breeze" that moves up the valley, bringing welcome rain and cooling.

This year, like most of the recent years, north wind all the time.  From January to June, north winds, and unseasonably warm temperatures.

Today, yet again, we will see a  record for high temperature in June, usually a fairly comfortable month.

Except for the last 10 years.

It is happening folks.  It is on us.  Climate change is obvious in Northern California.

Now, we have always been known for hot temperatures in July, August and September. I can remember working in a service station many years ago, and people from the bay area stopping for gas, and immediately ordering that we check their radiators.  We were taught not to do that, because the cars were running so hot, than if you took the radiator cap off, you got a geyser. 

We used to, when ordered about three times, do the twirl and run, emptying the radiator all over the engine, and we sold a lot of coolant.

But now, the winds blow and the temperature rises. 

And today, just today, a conservative rant in the newspaper claiming that fracking  in California's Monterrey Shale will provide thousands of jobs, and save us all.! Never mind that California has many earthquake faults, and fracking has been known to cause earthquakes.  "Just drill baby!

Meanwhile the winds blow and the temperature rise.

Look, we have to lessen our use of fossil fuels.  We just have to.  And so does the rest of the world.

If we don't, this is going to get a lot worse.

And it may get so bad the earth cannot sustain human life.

Right now it doesn't take much to realize that these endless northern winds and heat are drying out the foothills in Northern California and we are in for it.  Wildfires are a real danger to civilization up here, thousands of us live of the outskirts of towns, covered with trees and foliage. 

We are living on a ticking time bomb. 

And, a couple years ago, the state, strapped for revenue, passed a Cal-Fire Fee, about $120 per parcel, to aid in fire prevention and fire fighting.  And the people in rural areas hate it.  This works out to $12 a month, but they see it as big government and unfair taxation.  The Howard Jarvis Tax Association has filed a lawsuit.  And the wind blows and the temperatures rise.

We choose to live here.  Many homes are so covered with undergrowth you cannot see them from the street. And people hold to the myth that global warming is a hoax and taxes are socialistic.

And winds blow, and the temperature rise.

God help us all!