El Nino & Climate Change
| Date: | 07-07-04 |
| Host: | George Noory |
| Guests: | Brian Fagan |
Professor of Anthropology, Brian Fagan, the author of such books as The Long Summer(1), discussed El Nino's and other factors involved in climate change. El Nino's, which are created when atmospheric pressure in the Pacific Ocean causes warm water to surge, are the "most powerful factor in climate after the seasons," he noted, adding that it has only been since modern instrumentation came into use that it was realized that they have a global effect.
He characterized the unpredictable El Nino cycles as having a rippling kind of effect that could cause either droughts or torrential rains depending on the location. Fagan said such El Nino-associated droughts may likely have been a contributing factor to the demise of the Mayan culture.
"We're very vulnerable to extreme climate events," he commented, citing the deaths of 20-30 million people who died as the result of famine that was related to El Nino's and monsoons that occurred in the 19th century. "And the potential for disaster is much higher now," because of increased populations and people living in coastal regions, Fagan stated. Even more devastating than El Nino's are category 5 hurricanes which can quickly wipe out entire areas, he pointed out.
1. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0465022812/ctoc
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Hidden Icebergs
X-rays have revealed the first known oil painting of Antarctica (left), which was hidden for over 200 years underneath a tropical image. Painted by the neglected British artist, William Hodges, he made the canvas while accompanying Capt. Cook on his second voyage to the southern continent. The image is now on view at the National Maritime Museum in England. More info(1).
1. http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20040705/painting.html
Bumper Music
Bumper music from Wednesday July 07, 2004
- Inca Dance
Cusco
- Cannonball
Supertramp
- Cold as Ice
Foreigner
- Fly Like an Eagle
Steve Miller Band
- It's Now or Never
Elvis Presley
- Let My Love Open the Door
Pete Townshend
- Long Cool Woman
The Hollies
- Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)
Edison Lighthouse
- Midnight Confessions
Grassroots
- Midnight Express (The Chase)
Giorgio Moroder
- Midnight Express (The Chase)
Giorgio Moroder
- Riders on the Storm
The Doors
- TNT for the Brain
Enigma
- #41
Dave Matthews Band
- Werewolves of London
Warren Zevon
- Let it Rain
Eric Clapton

