Hurray for Global Warming

While Cowtown sweats out a triple digit heat-wave, some folks are hoping the current heat-wave really is the beginning of a world-wide warming spell. The Wall Street Journal reports today that folks over in Greenland are thoroughly enjoying warmer temperatures. The reason? It makes for a longer growing season and opens up more land for agricultural use.

The Journal reports that according to the Danish Meteorological Institute average temperatures in Greenland have risen by 2.7 degrees over the past 30 years. The institute predicts that by the end of the century, temperatures could rise another 14 degrees.

While 2.7 degrees may not sound like much of a heat wave, the recent changes in the weather has had a big impact on the arctic island:

• Higher average temperature warms mean fewer number of freezing nights which produces stronger, healthier plants and provide farmers larger crop yields.
• The temperature rise in Greenland has extended the growing season by two weeks since the 1970s giving plants a better chance to survive and thrive.
• Increased hay production has resulted in fatter sheep. Sheep flocks have increased 10% in the past three years.
• Drawn by higher water temperatures, cod, one of the region's most commercially lucrative fish, are booming in the coastal waters.

If temperatures continue to rise, the longer growing seasons could mean an economic boon for consumers as well. Currently Greenland must import much of its food and pay sky-high prices; a head of lettuce costs about $5.00 and a pound of carrots goes for $7.50 for a pound of carrots.

Of course there's no pleasing the "glass is always empty and the sky is falling" enviro crowd who refuse to even discuss possible benefits to rising temperatures. Dr. Wallace Broecker, a researcher at Columbia University's Earth Institute, told The Journal, "I'm not keen to provide ammunition to those who oppose action. Of course there will be benefits. But the net will be bad."

So while you're out suffering in the blistering sun remember, somewhere way, way, way, up north, a reindeer rancher is really enjoying this heat wave.