My school has been blanketed in snow for about a week, and much of the East Coast is being paralyzed, or at least slowed, by this unusual degree of snow and ice. While this is worthy weather news in itself, it has highlighted two major points in my mind: 

 

First, that we are heavily dependent on a consistent and relatively predictable climate to function normally and well. States farther north would have little difficulty dealing with snow because their infrastructure is built to accommodate the normal climate patterns of the area. A stable climate is crucial for the prosperity of all life, and we are no exception. While there will likely not be an ice age any time in the near future, global warming, combined with broader degradation of climate, can disrupt countless amounts of human and animal living patterns, and displace millions of people. Let this unusual storm be a reminder that we must minimize the rapid rate of climate alteration, and prevent the turmoil likely to follow.

 

Second, that we are still facing warming. I've heard a few casual jokes about how "bad" global warming is during our little snow storm. Some talking heads in the media have stated similar thoughts. The implication is that climate change really is just hype and a falsity. Additionally, polling has shown a recent drop in the number of Americans who believe in global warming as a human induced problem. So the lesson to take from this is that we mustn't be shortsighted or dismissive of this troubling and worsening issue. This decade has been the warmest on record, and last year was the second warmest. Furthermore, increased precipitation comes from increased evaporation which results from warmer water.  It's not complicated to understand that the weather in one place over a few days doesn't determine the nature of long-term, global climate patterns. Humans have a tendency to ignore the future, but it has long been our fatal flaw. For the sake of the world, we must stay focused on and aware of the road ahead.