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About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2012)
News/Bids/Classifieds Advertising deadlines 12:00 Noon Monday Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. To place your ad, email advertising@theskanner.com Ouch! Nationwide, July was Hottest Ever in History Books the index was 37 percent, a record that beat the old mark for July last year. The average is 20 percent. WASHINGTON (AP) — This For the first seven months of the probably comes as no surprise: Fed- year, the extreme index was 46 per- eral scientists say July was the cent, beating the old record from hottest month ever recorded in the 1934. This year’s extreme index was Lower 48 states, breaking a record heavily driven by high temperatures set during the Dust Bowl of the both day and night, which is unusual, 1930s. Crouch said. And even less a sur- ``This would not prise: The U.S. this year have happened in the keeps setting records for absence of human- weather extremes, based caused climate on the precise calcula- change,’’ said Penn- tions that include sylvania State Uni- drought, heavy rainfall, versity climate unusual temperatures, scientist Michael and storms. Mann. The average tempera- Crouch and Kevin ture last month was 77.6 Trenberth, climate degrees. That breaks the analysis chief of the old record from July National Center for 1936 by 0.2 degree, Atmospheric according to the Nation- Research, said what’s al Oceanic and Atmos- happening is a dou- pheric Administration. ble whammy of Records go back to weather and climate 1895. change. They point to ``It’s a pretty signifi- — Kevin Trenberth, climate analysis chief of long-term higher cant increase over the night temperatures the National Center for Atmospheric last record,’’ said cli- from global warming Research mate scientist Jake and the short-term Crouch of NOAA’s effect of localized National Climatic Data heat and drought that Center in Asheville, N.C. In the past, out the July 2011-June 2012 time spike daytime temperatures. skeptics of global warming have period. Drought is a major player because pointed to the Dust Bowl to argue But it’s not just the heat that’s note- in the summer ``if it is wet, it tends to that recent heat isn’t unprecedented. worthy. NOAA has a measurement be cool, while if it is dry, it tends to But Crouch said this be hot,’’ Tren- shows that the cur- berth said. rent year ``is out and So the record in beyond those Dust July isn’t such a Bowl years. We’re big deal, Tren- rivaling and beating berth said. ``But them consistently the fact that the from month to first seven month.’’ months of the Three of the year are the nation’s five hottest hottest on record months on record is much more have been recent impressive from a Julys: This year, climate stand- 2011 and 2006. Julys point, and high- in 1936 and 1934 lights the fact that round out the top there is more than five. just natural vari- Last month also ability playing a was 3.3 degrees role: Global warmer than the 20th warming from century average for human activities Dust storm approaching Spearman, Texas, April 14, 1935 July. has reared its head Thirty-two states in a way that can had months that were among their 10 called the U.S. Climate Extreme only be a major warning for the warmest Julys, but only one, Vir- Index which dates to 1900 and fol- future.’’ ginia, had the hottest July on record. lows several indicators of unusually Here are some more numbers Crouch said that’s a bit unusual, but high and low temperatures, severe unlikely to provide cold comfort. The that it shows the breadth of the heat drought, downpours, and tropical coolest July on record was in 1915. and associated drought. storms and hurricanes. NOAA calcu- The coldest month in U.S. history For example in 2011, the heat lates the index as a percentage, which was January 1979 with an average seemed to be centered mostly in mostly reflects how much of the temperature of 22.6 degrees. Oklahoma and Texas. But this sum- nation experience extremes. In July, By Seth Borenstein AP Science Writer mer ``the epicenters of the heat kind of migrated around. It kind of got everybody in the action this month,’’ Crouch said. The first seven months of 2012 were the warmest on record for the nation. And August 2011 through July this year was the warmest 12- month period on record, just beating ‘But the fact that the first seven months of the year are the hottest on record is much more impressive from a climate standpoint, and highlights the fact that there is more than just natural variability playing a role: Global warming from human activities has reared its head in a way that can only be a major warning for the future’ Live the Dream. 1970 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS LS5 454/360HP, Asking $7000, AC, Automatic, low miles, contact me at empssy7@msn.com / 503-828-1363. 8-15-12 ADDICTION COUNSELOR Train for a valuable, fulfilling career. Earn Addiction Counselor Professional Certification in Washington State. Clark College classes begin September 24. 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We should always carry the message and meaning of the colors and the Flag in our hearts but at least one day a year, the whole world should know that African people are striving for and on course to achieve principled unity and global empowerment with the African motherland at the foundation. ... make this Proclamation a reality. It can be done, it must be done. In the words of Marcus Garvey, “up you mighty race, you can accomplish what you will!” This is the proposition which I have promoted for years. Now, as we approach State of the Black World Conference III in November at Howard University in Washington, D.C., it is my fervent hope that there will be a veritable sea of Red, Black and Green Flags in evidence during the pro- ceeding - and, that the Declaration of Intent to Heal Black Families and Communities [the Call to Action] will embrace the concept of August 17th, the birthday of Marcus Garvey, as Universal African Flag Day and encourage the participants to return to their communities to make this Proclamation a reality. It can be done, it must be done. In the words of Marcus Garvey, “up you mighty race, you can accomplish what you will!” Dr. Ron Daniels is President of the Institute of the Black World 21st Century and Distinguished Lecturer at York College City University of New York. His articles and essays also appear on the IBW website www.ibw21.org and www.northstarnews.com. August 15, 2012 The Seattle Skanner Page 7