NICE WEATHER
            When we say “My, this is a nice day!” it is usually because we are having weather we like. Sunny and hot for those who like to use their swimming pool. Sunny with mild temperatures for those who like to hike. Rainy for those who are trying to grow crops or a garden. Windy for those who would like to fly a kite. Not so windy if you are trying to picnic or have fireworks. Cold and snowy for those who enjoy winter sports. So it goes.
In our part of the country we have the luxury of weather to suit nearly everyone at sometime during the year. Imagining climate change is difficult for us because we focus on day-to-day changes. We have difficulty observing climate change over decades since we have so many variables in weather over the course of one year.
            We need to depend on scientists who are trained in observation relative to climate to inform us about what is happening. Yet we are skeptical when we cannot observe the change ourselves. Taking time to examine the evidence, the accounts of scientists and explorers experiencing the effects of climate change first hand, can help us see more clearly what is happening to our planet.
            Understanding science helps people know where the truth is on an issue. “It’s important for the public to know that scientists are coming across this evidence [of climate change] – it’s real evidence – that there may be some disagreements among the details but that doesn’t negate the entire picture,” says Dr. Robert Semper, the Director for the Center for Learning and Teaching Exploratorium. Dr. Semper’s remarks are part of an article in The Christian Science Monitor March 15, 2010, in which author Gregory Lamb makes the point that traditional media outlets have been cutting back on science writers.
            The Exploratorium is located in San Franciso but it shares a wide range of science information in an understandable fashion on its website: www.exploratorium.edu. Founded in 1969, the Exploratorium’s mission is to create a culture of learning through innovative environments, programs, and tools that help people nurture their curiosity about the world around them.
            A discussion of scientific evidence – how do we know what we know – can be found on the Exploratorium website. Scientific claims are all around us all of the time. Science is asking questions, suggesting answers, and observing to gather evidence.  Some time and effort may be involved but you do not need to be a scientist to examine claims with these seven questions explained on the Exploratium website: “1) What’s the clam? 2) Who says? 3) What’s the evidence? 4) How did they get the evidence? 5) Is there anything (or anyone) to back up this claim? 6) Could there be another explanation? 7) Who cares?”

Della Moen, Earth Team Volunteer, NRCS/Stephenson Soil and Water Conservation District, an equal opportunity provider and employer, 06/02/10 (for publication on 06/05/10 in the Journal-Standard, Freeport, Illinois) Della can be reached at info@stephensonswcd.org