Climate Change/Mass Extinction Megathread

[Caliga]

For example - the opossum has, over the last ten years, extended its range north to Toronto.

While species do normally migrate somewhat, the movement of several species northwards is generally prevented by die-offs due to winter cold.

This is something very visible - because it is hard to miss a gigantic rat-like animal of a species you have never seen before rooting around in your backyard. 

Yep.  We have armadillos in Kentucky now, though I've yet to see one.

[Monoriu]

Plants too.  Flowers that are supposed to blossom in March/April now do so in January. 

[viper37]

For example - the opossum has, over the last ten years, extended its range north to Toronto.

oppossum, I'll handle.
But if I start seeing tarantulas or vipers in my garden, I will feak out.

[Malthus]

For example - the opossum has, over the last ten years, extended its range north to Toronto.

oppossum, I'll handle.
But if I start seeing tarantulas or vipers in my garden, I will feak out.

Name doesn't match post. 

[The Brain]

For example - the opossum has, over the last ten years, extended its range north to Toronto.

While species do normally migrate somewhat, the movement of several species northwards is generally prevented by die-offs due to winter cold.

This is something very visible - because it is hard to miss a gigantic rat-like animal of a species you have never seen before rooting around in your backyard. 

Yep.  We have armadillos in Kentucky now, though I've yet to see one.

Relax.

[Tonitrus]

For example - the opossum has, over the last ten years, extended its range north to Toronto.

While species do normally migrate somewhat, the movement of several species northwards is generally prevented by die-offs due to winter cold.

This is something very visible - because it is hard to miss a gigantic rat-like animal of a species you have never seen before rooting around in your backyard. 

Yep.  We have armadillos in Kentucky now, though I've yet to see one.

Relax.

Who will speak for the Swedes, when they come for you.

[viper37]

For example - the opossum has, over the last ten years, extended its range north to Toronto.

oppossum, I'll handle.
But if I start seeing tarantulas or vipers in my garden, I will feak out.

Name doesn't match post. 

[mongers]

Mozambique under threat from a very strong tropical cyclone, storm surges of 4+ metres predicted.



https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-47576831

[Syt]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-47581585

Climate strikes spread worldwide as students call for action

Thousands of school pupils worldwide have abandoned classrooms for a day of protest against climate change.

India, South Korea, Australia and the US are among the countries where teenagers are already on strike.

The day of action is expected to embrace about 100 countries. They are inspired by Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, who protests weekly outside Sweden's parliament.

Scientists say tougher measures are needed to cut global warming.

The Paris climate agreement of 2017 committed nearly 200 countries to keeping global temperatures "well below" 2.0C (3.6F) above pre-industrial times and to striving for a maximum of 1.5C.

The globally co-ordinated children's protests - promoted through posts on Twitter and other social media - have been going on for several months.

On Thursday Greta Thunberg's campaigning earned her a Nobel Peace Prize nomination.

In January at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the 16-year-old told top executives and politicians that "on climate change, we have to acknowledge that we have failed".

Ministers in some countries have voiced concern about children skipping classes.

Australia's Education Minister Dan Tehan said "students leaving school during school hours to protest is not something that we should encourage".

UK Education Secretary Damian Hinds echoed that concern, and the government said the disruption increased teachers' workloads and wasted lesson time.

But Environment Secretary Michael Gove backed the protesting children, saying in a video: "Dear school climate strikers, we agree."

"Collective action of the kind you're championing can make a difference, and a profound one," he said.

20,000 students protested in Austria, 10,500 in Vienna. Chancellor Kurz declared solidarity with the students, most of which were confused, because "We protest because he doesn't get his ass in gear."

Most ... interesting signs:

[dps]

Yep.  We have armadillos in Kentucky now, though I've yet to see one.

We supposedly have them in North Carolina now, too, but I don't think they're this far east yet.

[Valmy]

I am sorry to hear that. They are incredibly stupid and annoying.

I guess they are kind of cute though.

[dps]

I kind of like the idea of armadillos expanding their range.  In their case, my understand (which, as always, may be faulty) is that it's not so much because of climate change but because of the decline of other mammals that compete with them and also the decline of the few things that prey on them.  At any rate, I think I'd rather have the around than possums.  Not that possums aren't a bit cool themselves because of being marsupials.

[Monoriu]

A couple of hundred students protested outside the government HQs yesterday.  Most of them didn't look like locals though.  I bet they were international school students, children of expats. 

[mongers]

A couple of hundred students protested outside the government HQs yesterday.  Most of them didn't look like locals though.  I bet they were international school students, children of expats.

Mono if you had children, would you be 'embarrassed' if they'd taken part?

[Monoriu]

A couple of hundred students protested outside the government HQs yesterday.  Most of them didn't look like locals though.  I bet they were international school students, children of expats.

Mono if you had children, would you be 'embarrassed' if they'd taken part?

Super embarrassed.