The Huffington Post this week published my 59th article, this one entitled World 2.0. There are a couple of virtual discussion portals with which I am associated speculating on the future of our society. They tend to be somewhat doomsdayish, although Jay Hanson, creator of America 2.0, is hopeful, as I am. World 2.0 is an attempt to upgrade a national concept to the global level. The general sense is that the combined crush of Peak Oil and Global Warming will so decimate our economy, that we will NEVER recover. Hawaii, in particular, will be that canary in the coal mine, for our economy is so dependent on tourism, that a sudden escalation of oil prices beyond $150/barrel will usher in a localized Great Depression for several generations. I remain hopeful about the 22nd Century.
Chief among our problems is that our society can only make monumental decisions after it is too late. For one, there is no real concern for climate change. Obama will go to Copenhagen in December for the Kyoto II climate summit with an empty hand, because democratic senators from coal states will only protect their local economy. Let me re-state that to be, President Barack Obama will not participate in the December Copenhagen talks because embarrassing himself twice in the same city (remember the Chicago Olympics debacle...we came in last) in a few weeks is a trend he cannot afford to perpetuate.
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There are two world class tropical storms in the Pacific. If you want to review some record-setting hurricanes, go to hurricane.com. Four of the worst storms are: Tip, 1979, 190 MPH, weakened and made landfall in Japan; Linda, 1997, 185 MPH, dissipated in the East Pacific; Wilma, 2005, 185 MPH. first made landfall in the Yucatan Peninsula, then turned north and east to roll through Florida; and Cyclone Bhola, 1970, only 115 MPH, but killed 300,000 and catalyzed the secession of Pakistan from India. How big (in cross section) was Tip?
If you're wondering why Cyclone Tracy is even there: 125 MPH, and devasted Darwin, Australia in 1974, causing $5 billion in damages (but note the small size-- tinier than the "T").
Super Typhoon Lupit is now at 167 MPH, and should make landfall at the northern tip of Luzon by the end of the week. Taiwan will get a lot of rain, too. Appropriately enough, in Tagalog, lupit means wicked or cruel.
Major Hurricane (there is no such thing as a Super Hurricane) Rick, once at 175 MPH, is weakening, and should strike the southern portion of Baha Tuesday night.
While you were sleeping, a hurricane to be suddenly germinated south of Hawaii. Yes, just south of Hawaii, but should move west, then north, away from our islands.
That's not all. Right behind is another disturbance which should follow the same pathway. Why are these hurricanes forming in our backyard?
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Morocco joined this site this week, becoming the 113th country:
6788-113-430
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