Chris Hill wrote:

> But I don't think that looking for indicator species of climate change is a
> subsitute for studying the weather records.

If only ......

The whole debate over global warming, is whether it is actually taking place
or is the recent warming period part of a natural cycle. I personally think it
is both.

The controversy and confusion arises as the effects of warming are NOT simply
warmer summers and warmer winters. Temperatures on a GLOBAL scale are
increasing, but that does not mean that North America or anywhere else will
not be buried under 20 feet of snow from October to April - that would only be
a local anomaly compared with the changes on a planetary scale !!!!

Studying the effects on bird populations might be useful in providing more
tangible evidence on the affects of warming as well as providing information
on conservation strategies. If swallows are increasingly seen more early in
the Spring than "normal", then the potential for educating the general public
on the issue is considerable. Instead of the sometimes abstract (to the
general population) scientific debate, the evidience is available to all.


Again, if only life was that simple, SIGH, SIGH :-))

Stuart MacKay
---
Stuart MacKay McCaw Cellular Communications
Consultant Developer The Plaza at Yarrow Bay
Axys V3 10230 NE Points Drive
ph. (206) 803-4909 Kirkland, WA
fax (206) 803-7405 98033

stuart.mackay at mccaw.com
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