Warming's effects start to be more noticeable

From the AP via the Houston Chronicle:

The effects, from rising water levels along coastal areas to behavioral changes in animals and plants, are becoming more noticeable to Americans, said biologist Camille Parmesan of Austin.

More than 40 global warming studies reviewed by the scientist at the University of Texas at Austin and researchers at the Pew Center on Global Climate Change found more than half show strong evidence of a direct link between man-made global warming in the United States and changes in plants and animal behavior.

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And one wonders, does this change in animal behavior caused by man-made global warming have anything to do with this next story? Again from the AP via the Houston Chronicle:

Swarms of locusts descend on southern Israel

Swarms of locusts devoured lawns and palm trees today in southern Israel, panicking farmers and leaving others worried about biblical plagues.

The pests swept up from Egypt, working their way north on a path that could take them to the West Bank town of Jericho, where Secretary of State Colin Powell was slated to meet Palestinian officials Monday.

The red locusts originated in West Africa and traveled over Libya and Egypt. The insects are present every year in Africa, but this year's swarms are especially large due to prolonged periods of heavy rainfall, according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.

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If I were a fundamentalist, I would have to say that Israel's policies toward the Palestinians have brought down the wrath of God. But then, I'm no fundamentalist, so that's just a bunch of hooey. However, I think it's very likely that changing climate patterns due to global warming have brought the locusts to the land of milk and honey. God's wrath, Mother Nature's fury, it's all the same. I think we're all in big trouble.

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