Guest: Mahlon C. Kennicutt II, PhD (College Station, TX), Professor of Oceanography, Texas A and M University. “The effect of oceans on human life.”
Dr. Kennicutt is a professor of oceanography at Texas A and M University with a specialty in oceans and climate change.
If Earth’s climate warms and the polar ice melts, he says, seal levels could rise and over several decades, they could rise substantially. He believes that greenhouse gases from human activity (cars and factories) are affecting Earth’s thermostat. These pollutants are quickly distributed over the globe and carry trapped energy which tends to melt ice.
Sharon asked if protection of terrestrial fresh water sources (other than polar ice) would be prudent. Dr. Kennicutt noted that rising temperatures would create more climatic extremes, with some areas wetter and some dryer. As is Pakistan, there would be extended droughts followed by violent floods. In wet areas, drought periods would be longer and closer together. So the answer is yes, absolutely. It is also wise to create diversion and runoff channels in dry areas.
There was considerable discussion of air humidity, and both Dr. Kennicutt and Sharon agreed that indoor, climate controlled air is usually too dry. It was noted that drought affects evaporation into the air but that most of the air’s humidity comes from the ocean. The warmer the temperature, the more water will vaporize, thus increasing the humidity.
