[SunkenCiv]

blast from the past:

Caves reveal clues to UK weather
by Tom Heap
Saturday, 2 December, 2000

At Pooles Cavern in Derbyshire, it was discovered that the stalagmites grow faster in the winter months when it rains more. Alan Walker, who guides visitors through the caves, says the changes in rainfall are recorded in the stalactites and stalagmites like the growth rings in trees. Stalagmites from a number of caves have now been analysed by Dr Andy Baker at Newcastle University. After splitting and polishing the rock, he can measure its growth precisely and has built up a precipitation history going back thousands of years. His study suggests this autumn's rainfall is not at all unusual when looked at over such a timescale but is well within historic variations. He believes politicians find it expedient to blame a man-made change in our weather rather than addressing the complex scientific picture... He said he wanted greater awareness to ensure "future decision-making could be made based on scientific data and not on political expediency".

I like that closing sentence -- "future decision-making could be made based on scientific data and not on political expediency". I wouldn't count on it, but that would be great.

[Fred Nerks]

"future decision-making could be made based on scientific data and not on political expediency".

HA! That'll be the day. Won't happen until polititians are chosen for the wealth of their scientific/historical knowledge.

Name one you know that has any?

[Seadog Bytes]

Hmmm... I guess I gotta ask.  ...Does this really look like the face of someone who eschews 'political expediency' in favor of  'scientific data'...???