Weather, Water, Energy 12-27-06

U of AZ research has studied 450 years of tree rings in the North American West and determined that a link exists between changes in ocean temperatures and extent of wildfires, bringing El Ninos (tilde-challenged) and other fluctuations to these conspicuous results and indicating what will happen as global warming increases. Not news to dwellers running from flames, of course, but nice to have the evidence. . . . As the Bushnevs advocate more use of nuclear power, just consider whether you trust anything that man judges good. And then read about how lightning shut down a plant in Japan. But (all together now. . . ) "no radiation escaped and nearby residents were unharmed." We should all relearn the mantra as soon as we can, especially if Georgi gets his way. . . . Even the Chinese are admitting that global warming is going to nail them, they're responsible in great part already, and they better do something fast. Just like we . . . never mind. . . . Want an idea how financial analysts are looking at our energy future next year and beyond? No, really, you don't. Trust me on this one.