March 29, 2006
Underwater
A pretty picture for not such a pretty picture.
Although this clickie is a bit of a techno nightmare (for me at least), let me introduce you to a map that allows you to see what would happen to your real estate, home town, or personal monument should the sea level rise significantly. Select your home continent along the bottom of the map -- (the menu in thin blue) . Use the white centipede on the upper left to zoom into a specific area, and then adjust the sea level in the box, just above the map, in the upper left. ( in meters). You will see what will be under water, when.
This isn't so far fetched. Glaciers are disappearing. Ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica are melting more rapidly than expected. If a big chunk of the polar ice cap breaks off and drops into the ocean, like a block of frozen peas plopped in a pot full of water, the oceans will overflow suddenly, perhaps by 6 to 10 feet.
You can skip this whole entry, and just admire the lotus if you're trying to avoid bad news because you are helpless to change anything except to start in little ways, like riding your bike, recycling and buying organic. And look on the bright side --many of you will be able to grow lotus blossoms right in your very ownbackyard. However, if you are purchasing real estate immerse yourself now, rather than later -- unless you're in it for a quick turnover, that is.
Photo note: Shot surreptitiously (as always) right under the nose of the florist at Whole Foods. If you are caught photographing on the premises, you get 40 lashes across the eyeballs with a wet,whole wheat soba noodle, so don't even try if you're any kind of amateur.
Posted by Dakota at March 29, 2006 09:33 PM