Could "The Day After Tomorrow" Really Happen?

Will global warming really cause disaster to strike3) There will be better living conditions and
Earth in the manner depicted in the movie graphicexpanded territories for disease-carrying pests,
of storm "The Day After Tomorrow"? Could weresulting in increases in and spread of diseases like
have killer tornados attacking in roving gangs,malaria, dengue fever, Lyme disease, and West
murderous ice balls the size of sour grapefruitsNile virus. The effect will occur globally, including
falling from the sky, waves of cold air thatWestern nations.
descend in minutes to freeze the doodads off4) There will be major impacts to agricultural
metal statues and any nearby humans? Well, we'llproductivity due to increased droughts and
answer that in a minute, but first, some humor!flooding, changes in rainfall patterns and amounts,
A FEW AUDIENCE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEand the increased temperatures themselves. A
MOVIE "THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW":recent government study estimates a 10 percent
AL: "I was not impressed by a plot based on 'thedecline in yields of rice, wheat and corn for every
weatherman gets it wrong again'..."1.8 degree F increase in average temperature.
SUSAN: "This movie has RUINED 'Survivor' forA recent Pentagon-sponsored report recognized
me. Getting kicked off an island now seemsthe possibility of catastrophic disruption of the
totally lame compared to getting kicked off apicture of New York City underwater - from The
continent..."Day After Tomorrow world's food supply due to
ROCKO: "There wasn't enough action. Seeing citiesglobal warming and predicted that such a situation
destroyed by Mother Nature is simply nocould be serious enough to cause wars over food
substitute for car chases and explosions..."and other resources. We at Grinning Planet also
OK, back to the question at hand. The quick takefind it a bit discomforting that the world's grain
on this issue is that the short-term calamities thatreserves are now at their lowest levels in 30
picture of New York City frozen over - from Theyears.
Day After Tomorrow befall earth in "The Day"The Day After Tomorrow" is great
After Tomorrow" couldn't happen. Though it isentertainment - lots of eye-popping special
true that global warming is causing ice caps toeffects, lots of big stuff getting messed up in a
melt, which may eventually disrupt thebig way, and all of it against the backdrop of
ocean-current conveyor belt that keeps placeshuman drama and suspense. That's fine for
like Western Europe warm, which could causeentertainment - as far as it goes - but don't let
colder conditions in some places, such effectsthe flaws of a movie plot fool you into thinking
would happen over decades or centuries, notthat there aren't real problems with global
weeks. (If you want more info on thermohalinewarming.
circulation and global warming, MSNBC has a niceWe can all contribute to Global Warming Solutions.
non-technical summary of this issue.)Here are a few ways:
But wait, wait, wait - we DO have some disasters1) Live closer to work. Don't buy a house any
for you! Just because the plot of "The Day Afterlarger than necessary. Buy energy-efficient light
Tomorrow" is mainly Hollywood fiction does notbulbs and appliances. Turn things off!
mean that there aren't serious potential problems2) Keep your yard covered in native plants and
associated with global warming. Here are thetrees, not grass.
REAL problems we should worry about:3) Commute by mass transit. Carpool. Drive a
1) Rising sea levels will submerge manyhigh-mileage vehicle. Combine trips. Walk and bike.
near-sea-level island and coastal properties.4) Vote to elect officials that will fight for
2) Increasingly wild weather patterns will causesolutions to global warming.
damage to property, businesses, and agriculture.