It's not awful, tragic news like the murder of children and teachers in Newtown, Connecticut. But it should have the same mobilizing effect. I'm referring to the news in today's New York Times, and I'm certain in lots of other papers, that 2012 was the hottest year in U.S. history. The Times reports that the average temperature for all of last year was 55.3 degrees; it was up over the previous record, not just by a little bit, but by a full degree. This is scary. And, meanwhile, the temperatures in Washington, D.C. this week are in the 50s, with 60s and even 70 degrees predicted for the weekend. It will be a good chance to get out for a long bike ride. But I really would rather not be doing that in January. It's weird.
Are we likely to hear anything from the Administration? Will the President, or anyone else, take this report as a teaching moment to start talking about climate change? Not clear. Admittedly, Obama has been busy lately and is lining up for multiple confrontations with Republicans (and possibly some members of his own party). But he's talked about putting climate change on the Administration's action agenda and this news, while it has peoples' attention would seem like a good time to do that. The Guardian has a story up reporting that Obama could be considering some kind of "climate summit." Here's hoping.
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