[Coral-List] grandma test RE: Record setting cold in south Florida

[Sarah Frias-Torres]

Al,I understand.However, my answer to grandma was tailored to our Mediterranean weather, the one experienced in Barcelona. We have by definition extreme weather patterns, the most characteristic perhaps the torrential rains of late summer to early fall. We are used to water shortages in years with extreme summers, and we can even experience freezes in winter, and snow. Model predictions for our region are pretty much in agreement with what we are experiencing, and the trends we are seeing: extreme summers, increased desertification, extreme winters. So you see, I was giving my grandma the most correct answer I could summarize, specific for the part of the world where she lives. 

Sarah Frias-Torres, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Scholar &Schmidt Research Vessel Institute Postdoctoral Fellowhttp://independent.academia.edu/SarahFriasTorresOcean Research & Conservation Association 1420 Seaway Drive, 2nd Floor Fort Pierce, Florida 34949 USA http://www.teamorca.org



> Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 21:57:40 -0500
> From: Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov
> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> Subject: Re: [Coral-List] grandma test RE: Record setting cold in south	Florida
> 
> Only one problem with what you've stated Sarah....
> 
> If the models are correct, and so far this is what records as an overall 
> composite are showing, the main reason we will experience warming over 
> the coming decades from increasing anthropogenic atmospheric CO2, will 
> be principally from increasing winter and nighttime minimum temperatures 
> and  rather than from summertime and daytime maximums.
> 
> Al
> 
> On 12/9/2010 3:08 PM, Sarah Frias-Torres wrote:
> > When I explain science to my non-science family in Barcelona, I use the "Grandma test". If my grandma understands what I'm saying, then I'm saying it clearly.
> > In Europe, we are experiencing severe cold this winter.
> > On a recent phone call, grandma said that with all this global warming going on,  she shouldn't be feeling the cold in her old bones (with an accusing tone, as if I'm responsible for the whole thing...).Grandma, I said, with global warming, everything is more extreme. It doesn't mean we'll be warmer every time, but at least where you live (she doesn't like the term "temperate latitudes", too scientific), we'll have colder winters, and warmer summers. Global warming puts things out of balance.
> > So it's two sides of the same coin, grandma said, one side is extreme cold, the other extreme heat. Both included in the same coin.
> > ... and that's why grandma is the best science communicator I know.
> > Perhaps we can use such strategy when communicating about global warming... or global climate change, or whatever name better describes what we are going through.
> >
> > Sarah Frias-Torres, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Scholar&Schmidt Research Vessel Institute Postdoctoral Fellowhttp://independent.academia.edu/SarahFriasTorresOcean Research&  Conservation Association 1420 Seaway Drive, 2nd Floor Fort Pierce, Florida 34949 USA http://www.teamorca.org
> >
> >
> >
> >> Date: Thu, 9 Dec 2010 10:28:40 -0500
> >> To: coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov
> >> From: eshinn at marine.usf.edu
> >> Subject: [Coral-List] Record setting cold in south Florida
> >>
> >> Listers may have seen headlines associated with the Cancun meetings
> >> that say  "2010 in top 3 of hottest years ever"  Here is an
> >> inconvenient official dreport.  Corals in keys will need blankets
> >> this winter.
> >> <http://www.gohydrology.org/><http://www.gohydrology.org>  Gene
> >> -- 
> >>
> >>
> >> No Rocks, No Water, No Ecosystem (EAS)
> >> ------------------------------------ -----------------------------------
> >> E. A. Shinn, Courtesy Professor
> >> University of South Florida
> >> Marine Science Center (room 204)
> >> 140 Seventh Avenue South
> >> St. Petersburg, FL 33701
> >> <eshinn at marine.usf.edu>
> >> Tel 727 553-1158----------------------------------
> >> -----------------------------------
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> -- 
> ****<><  *******<><  *******<><  *******<><  *******
> Alan E. Strong, Ph.D.
> NOAA Coral Reef Watch, Consultant
> Strong Research, Inc.&  IMSG
> National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
> NOAA Coral Reef Watch Program
>   e-mail: Alan.E.Strong at noaa.gov
> url: coralreefwatch.noaa.gov
> 
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