For the past generation, politicians and prominent scientists have been promoting the concept of global warming.  The images of calving glaciers, rising tides, arid plains, and cracked desert lands send shudders of fear rippling throughout the globe.  As I look out my front door at the Gavilan and Santa Lucia mountain ranges, I see not just a dusting of snow, but a layer thick enough for snowshoeing or backcountry skiing.

The weather I have experienced this year, has caused me to reevaluate my winter and spring wardrobe.  Generally, long sleeves or a light jacket are all that's needed to stay comfortably warm.  Currently, a large coat, scarf, and gloves are more appropriate.  While on a visit to the Sierra Nevadas recently, I witnessed enough snowfall to satisfy my winter cravings for the rest of the year.

With this in mind, a few questions for the fear mongers emerge.  How long have we been able to track the weather changes accurately and equally?  Are the statistics reliable?  Do they come from the same locations, with the same instrumentation, at the exact time of year?  Have we recorded long enough to know if this is a continuous pattern or cycle?  Are all of the numerous variables being taken into consideration?  What is the control model?  Until these questions are proven beyond a shadow of a doubt, I choose to  live without fear of the sky falling or catastrophic drought.