The Farmer’s Almanac might not have that same academic ring to it as, say “Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics”, but those plucky stalwarts of the meteorological profession have made a bold prediction about emerging climate trends for the next 50 years, and Al Gore is not going to be happy.
Using calculations based on sunspots, the scientists at the Almanac have boldly predicted a cooling trend on the horizon for the next 50 years. “”We at the Almanac are among those who believe that sunspot cycles and their effects on oceans correlate with climate changes,” says meteorologist and climatologist Joseph D’Aleo.
The original “bathroom reader” (still printed with holes in the corner as for easy outhouse placement) has used complex calculations to predict the weather since 1792, with an impressive track record of 80% accuracy. With such numbers, and 200 years of publications behind them, a little weight must be given to their assessment, or opinion of the current climate situation.
Personally, I am just going to start wearing more layers, so I’ll be prepared either way. But regardless of whether Casco Bay is a frozen skating rink in 50 years, or it’s risen to create “Munjoy Island”, I will still believe that opinion is a beautiful thing.
It can’t be right or wrong, it can only be judged by the integrity and reputation of the person presenting it. Unfortunately, it is increasingly being used as an airtight excuse for saying outlandish, and ill-informed things.
The predictions of the Farmer’s Almanac fly in the face of the ever-popular theory of global warming. Please put away your angry “letter to the editor” pen, and let me explain. Global warming, along with the sunspot-based calculation of the time-honored farmers are both theories, nothing more than the opinion of some well-respected microscope jockeys. (Albeit, very well researched, with a documentary film and former presidential hopeful on its side.)
It is through this dangerous practice of treating opinion as fact that we develop unyielding and unbalanced views. Again, opinions are beautiful; they can change, grow. They evolve as we mature, or change our minds.
To declare an opinion as fact, however, is to deface these wild and free ideas and try to use them as a weapon in the ongoing war of words.
Opinions are important, our right to express our own is right up there with freedom of the press and hot dogs for reasons I like the United States. However, this election season is blurring them line between opinion and fact and trying to separate our country, get people to declare their opinions as “beliefs”, and engage in an ugly battle royal all the way to the White House.
I think we might be better off, and markedly less pissed off come November 15th, if we take a step back and recognize opinion for what is it, one person’s view, culled from a lifetime of experience, education, and environment, that cannot be dismissed or disrespected in the name of politics.
I’m not going to get into an argument with someone who believes global warming is a myth, I am not going to go on a tirade about partisan politics, or even dig into the potential vice president whose opinions are the target of so much media outrage.
I am just going to trust my own judgment, form my own views, and do my best to respect the opinions of those I disagree with. Hopefully larger media outlets than this will one day rediscover their own sense of civility, and we can get back to discussing things in terms of facts.
Thanks for reading,
Matt Dodge