Author Archives: Kit Stolz

Charts of the week: Decline of Arctic Sea Ice

Via NatureClimate's feed, a great GIF-animated graph showing the diminshing Arctic sea ice in summer, heading towards zero in late summer perhaps as early as the 2020's. Some bloggers say even earlier.  Above chart works best if you click to enlarge. Chart below needs no enlargement. Via RealClimate. They link to a blogger from NewContinue reading “Charts of the week: Decline of Arctic Sea Ice”

Pussy Riot: a post-modern band imprisoned for attitude

Speaking of rebellious rockers…it's generally agreed, by both fans and skeptics, that rock and roll is all about attitude, so in these post-modern, post-truth times, it's only natural and proper that Pussy Riot, a Russian group that has never released a record, has become the biggest punk rock band in the world. More famous, withContinue reading “Pussy Riot: a post-modern band imprisoned for attitude”

The semi-true story of “Rocking the Casbah”

Yet another day of stifling heat, but this time with rising humidity too! Time for a break. Here's a tremendous cover of the great Clash song Rocking the Casbah, by Algerian rocker Rachid Taha. Except that probably Taha and his band of Algerian outcast rockers inspired it…see below.  From The Guardian (in 2007): The French-Algerian singerContinue reading “The semi-true story of “Rocking the Casbah””

Possible good news: El Niño conditions developing

For those of us who are suffering through seemingly endless heat and dryness, to hear of a possible change in the forecast is comforting, and yes, the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center does see increased chances for an El Niño this fall.  Supported by model forecasts and the continued warmth across the Pacific Ocean, thereContinue reading “Possible good news: El Niño conditions developing”

Average August 2012 temperature in Phoenix: 100.2

As of today. That includes night: hasn't once fallen below 90 in weeks.   Map from a resident who — looking for a cool spot — cleverly overlaid a heat image of the city on a Google Earth map. After charting the cooler green locales (see link) Mark concluded he should live in the Phoenix Country Club. 

21st century megadrought in the West

A new climatic projection for the western states and northern Mexico looks at drought over the past 1200 years and out to 2100. A graph from the study at Nature Geoscience tells the story best, as usual: Here's the caption, slightly edited:  Reconstructed summer PDSI [Palmer Drought Severity Index] from 800 to 2006, five-year mean.Continue reading “21st century megadrought in the West”

Obama to blame for drought: John Boehner (R – Ohio)

Today John Boehner, who leads the Republican majority in the House, pointed the finger of blame at President Obama for the drought withering the Midwest. No, really. According to the Financial Times (reg. required) he said that "…the president continues to blame anyone and everyone for the drought but himself.”  Okay, maybe he just omittedContinue reading “Obama to blame for drought: John Boehner (R – Ohio)”

How to be a nerd (at the Ojai Playwrights Conference)

Had a chance to write a story on the "word nerds" at the Ojai Playwrights Conference, the lucky young people taught by always eloquent and funny teacher/founder Kim Maxwell. Story should be of interest to anyone who likes comedy, I think. Here's the quote that best explains the class and Kim, in response to theContinue reading “How to be a nerd (at the Ojai Playwrights Conference)”

Global Weirding: bizarre summer storm in the Arctic

Via Dot Earth, a fascinating discussion of a truly weird summer storm over the Arctic Ocean. Here's what it looks like from the NASA satellite Aqua, with Greenland's ice sheet at lower left:   Andrew Revkin points to the uncertainty about what this means for Arctic sea ice, but to me the expert William ChapmanContinue reading “Global Weirding: bizarre summer storm in the Arctic”