THE “APPEAL” OF GLOBAL WARMING
Scientists talk about Global Warming as a problem (or even pending disaster) so often that it may be hard to take seriously. After all, most people seem to like warmer winters, the flowers to bloom earlier and a warmer ocean to swim in. No wonder Global Warming is always WAAAAY down on the list of things the public worries about the most.
“GLOBAL WARMING FEELS QUITE PLEASANT”
I didn’t say it-it’s the title of an article in the New York Times last Thursday. A paper in the latest issue of the journal “Nature,” the authors write that ”for a vast majority of Americans, the weather is simply becoming more pleasant. Over the past four decades, winter temperatures have risen substantially throughout the United States, but summers have not become markedly more uncomfortable.”
(Of course, there are some who hate many of the changes we’ve seen: skiers who bemoan the shorter season; snow plow operators not happy about making less money; and certain students and teachers who are upset about fewer “snow days”. But that is a small minority.)
So, the obvious result is a contradiction between what many scientists and politicians have been saying. It’s hard to be concerned about something that is showing so few obvious signs of the serious problem that is likely ahead of us. We can raise our voices and point at charts of ice loss in the Arctic and all we get is yawns from too many people. And I’m afraid that there’s not much that can be done about this. It’s hard to tell folks to not believe what they’re seeing with their own eyes.
HERE’S WHAT PEOPLE AREN’T SEEING
Not many people have traveled to the Arctic to see the dramatic loss of ice that has occurred from Alaska to Greenland (and beyond). And even if you do travel there, there’s no basis for comparison. Only the people who live in those areas can clearly see the dramatic changes that have occurred over recent decades.
Here is what those of us in the Continental U.S. cannot see:
1. Carbon dioxide itself-it has no color or smell. But it can be measured, and has steadily increased for more than 50 years.
2. Deadly heat waves-in Europe, the Middle East, South Asia (India/Pakistan), East Asia (Japan/China), Russia, and more:
2003 Europe 50,000-70,000 killed
2010 Russia 56,000
2006 Europe 3400+
2015 India 2500
2015 Pakistan 2500
2010 Japan 1700+
3. Loss of Arctic sea ice
4. Loss (and darkening) of Greenland sea ice
5. Warming ocean temperatures
6. Warming of subsurface ocean
7. Rising sea level
9. Ocean acidification
10. Coral bleaching
THIS IS WHAT IS BECOMING MORE OBVIOUS
1. More downpours=worse flooding
2. Intensity of winter storms (warming=more water vapor=”wetter” storms
3. More frequent and more severe coastal flooding
All of the above changes are agreed on by most climate scientists. These are not computer projections-this is based on actual data.
There is more disagreement about the following, but evidence of a global warming connection seems to be increasing:
1. More intense tropical cyclones (hurricanes & typhoons). Total numbers of storms haven’t changed much, but a greater percentage has become intense in recent years.
2. More heavy snowstorms. The total number of days with snow has decreased in many areas, but a greater percentage of snowstorms has become major in recent years
3. More frequent and more severe droughts. Many scientists are convinced that warming temperatures have already led to this.
IF YOU THINK IT’S OBVIOUS NOW……
It wasn’t that long ago that most climate scientists didn’t expect many of these major changes to show up for decades. For example, the Arctic ice melt is happening WAAAAY faster than their computer models showed. These changes are not likely to reverse themselves in the future, as long as global temperatures continue to rise.
Eventually, with enough of these changes becoming obvious, more and more people will care a lot more about climate change. Unfortunately, by the time this happens, it will be even harder to stop the changes, let alone reverse them. We’ve been “teased” by the “nice” weather. So far.
Glenn “Hurricane” Schwartz
Chief Meteorologist, NBC10 Philadelphia
It's a Friday night and you're ready to take on the town! Your Uber ride rolls up and you hop into the backseat of a GM Acadia beaming with bright blue neon lights, music bumping from the stereo, and a smiling Uber driver ready to feature your karaoke car ride on his Instagram page.
Does this traveling party sound too good to be true? For Newark residents this ride is a reality provided by Delaware's #1 Uber driver, Leroy.
Leroy’s unique personality and social media skills have driven him straight to the top of Uber's ranks. He averages 45 five-star rides per week, and makes twice as many trips as the average Delaware driver.
When you grab a ride with Leroy, expect to talk (or sing!) He's excited to chat with you and make your Uber experience enjoyable. "I have a really good relationship with my passengers,” Leroy told NBC10, “and like treating people the way I would want to be treated."
“People can't help but get excited when they request an Uber for a night out and see that their driver is Leroy because they know they're in for a very different driving experience,” said University of Delaware junior, Gwen Clarke.
Students love being featured taking selfies and singing karaoke on his Instagram: "It got popular really fast," Leroy said.
And it isn’t just about the party -- Leroy is just as concerned about safety as he is fun.
"It's all about getting the kids wherever they have to go safely and preventing DUIs and accidents," Leroy said. "Lots of accidents are fatal and having a designated driver at all times is something you can't beat."
Students couldn't agree more. “He never drives fast and knows the area really well. He genuinely really loves people and gets them where they need to go safely,” UDel senior Shawn Benesh told NBC10.
So the next time you're walking down Main Street and see those bright blue lights flashing from afar, be sure to request your Uber quick -- before someone else snatches him up!
A man shot his 38-year-old son in the chest in Northeast Philadelphia after a dispute Tuesday afternoon, according to police.
The incident happened about 1 p.m. on Princeton Avenue near Sackett Street, in Mayfair.
Police said the son was taken to Aria Torresdale Hospital, where he remained in critical condition later Tuesday afternoon.
Officers took the father into custody and recovered the gun he's believed to have used in the shooting, police said.
The nature of the dispute that sparked the shooting was not immediately clear, and no other injuries were reported.
Nothing puts a damper on exercise faster than a muscle cramp early in the going. Cramps in a calf are among the most common problems associated with exercise, especially in heat or humidity. But even though it's common, the cause remains uncertain.
Some experts believe muscle fatigue is the problem and point out that muscle cramping during exercise is most common among untrained athletes or early in an athletic season, before peak physical conditioning has been reached. Others suggest that dehydration and "electrolyte imbalance" are the most important triggers, although blood tests for common electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium) are typically normal.
In fact, in most cases there is no clear explanation for the problem. A notable exception is that for elite athletes or during prolonged, high-intensity exercise, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance do play a role.
So what's a well-intentioned exerciser to do? Warm up for five to ten minutes in the first part of your exercise routine, and gently stretch during and after exercise. Drink plenty of fluids, and start your exercise program slowly, building up endurance and strength gradually. It may be hard to predict when you'll get a cramp exercising, but they typically do go away and rarely cause any long-term impediment to exercise.
Nighttime leg cramps
The situation is remarkably common. You're sound asleep and suddenly you awaken with a stabbing, searing pain in the calf. Relief comes only by jumping out of bed and standing up.
If you have leg cramps at night (also called "nocturnal leg cramps"), getting out of the bed and walking around may help. Some persons find relief with heat (hot shower, hot bath, or heating pad) and massage, while others prefer cold packs (crushed or cubed ice in a plastic bag, wrapped in a towel). Try both and use the method that feels best for 20 minutes several times a day.
Stretching out a cramp
When you get a leg cramp, try the following stretches:
Hold the stretch for 5-30 seconds, rest for one minute, and repeat until the spasm is relieved and does not feel like it will return — it may take several minutes or more.
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A feathered friend has a temporary home outside of a deli in North Wales.
A mother goose made a nest outside of Pumpernick's Deli, located at 917 Bethlehem Pike in North Wales.
Manager Jeff Klein says he believes the goose first showed up at the deli around a month ago and, after building a nest and laying eggs, has been there ever since. He says his customers have not stopped talking about the goose, who has become a popular figure among deli patrons.
"People keep asking if we're putting goose on the menu," Klein said. "It's become a running joke among customers."
Jokes aside, Klein explains he began calling to see if animal control could move the goose to a safer environment, but chose not to go forward because he "believes in letting nature take its course".
Klein's biggest concern is making sure people are staying at a safe distance and not feeding or bothering the goose, whose eggs are due to hatch at any moment. He says customers have brought in bags of bird seed and they are keeping water out, but people need to remember to let the geese have their space.
As for a name, Klein says no one has come up with anything yet, but is open to any suggestions.
Firefighters battled a brush fire near the Atlantic County and Camden County line.
The fire burned dozens of acres in Winslow Township in the forest area near Piney Hollow Road between Black Horse Pike(322) and Route 551. Firefighters were eventually able to bring the flames under control. No injuries were reported.
Polls closed at 8 p.m. in Pennsylvania and Delaware, where two of five states held presidential primaries Tuesday, along with numerous state-level and municipal elections.
In Pennsylvania, Republican candidates Donald Trump, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, and Ohio Gov. John Kasich are vying for 17 dedicated delegates while 54 other delegates will be able to pick their own choice at the convention later this year. Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders will receive proportional numbers of delegates based on the percent of votes they win.
In Delaware, a winner-take-all state, the Republican candidates are vying for 16 delegates and the Democrats are trying for 31 delegates.
Other important races include Pennsylvania's Democratic primary for a U.S. Senate seat. Four candidates are in the running for the chance to compete against incumbent Pat Toomey. Toomey is seeking a second term.
Long-embattled Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane is not seeking re-election, and three Democrats and two Republicans are fighting to become their party's nominees to replace her.
All of Pennsylvania's state House and U.S. House seats are up for grabs. The highlight race of those is the 2nd Congressional District, where indicted U.S. House Rep. Chaka Fattah, seeking a 12th term, is facing his toughest competition in years. He faces federal racketeering charges in a trial expected to begin next month.
Delaware's election is limited to the presidential primaries, as their official state primary is scheduled for September.
For all election results, go to NBCPhiladelphia.com's Election page.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms moved through our area Tuesday.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was in effect for Burlington County and Ocean County in New Jersey as well as Chester County, Delaware County and Montgomery County in Pennsylvania until 6:30 p.m.
Lightning and hail was also spotted in parts of Central New Jersey early Tuesday evening. The system moved out of the area around 8 p.m.
A rainbow was also spotted in parts of the region after the storms passed through.
Philadelphia voters overwhelmingly approved making permanent a Mayor's Commission on African American Males, which examines the challenges facing black men in Philadelphia.
The commission, which was established by former Mayor Michael Nutter, is now part of the city's Home Rule Charter. Its members advise Philadelphia elected officials, particularly in the areas of prospective policy and legislation.
Voters approved adding the commission to the charter by a count of 130,292 to 76,062, with 96 percent of precincts reporting.
"An advisory body (it has no statutory powers) with 30 unpaid members, it was established by Mayor Michael Nutter in 2011," the Committee of Seventy wrote on its website, describing the commission. "Actually, Nutter reestablished it. Mayor Wilson Goode created a similar commission in December 1991 just before he left office, but his successors allowed it to lapse."
Seventy added that Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Bloomington, Ind., have similar commissions.
An investigation is underway after a worker found a body in the Schuylkill River near the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery Tuesday night.
The employee was conducting a weekly check at the refinery at 8:06 p.m. on 3100 W. Passyunk Avenue when he discovered a partially decomposed body in the Schuylkill River. The unidentified man was recovered by the marine unit and pronounced dead at 8:33 p.m. by a medic.
Police say the victim is a white male who was wearing a long sleeve blue shirt, tan pants, black sneakers and gloves. They are working to determine his identity as well as a cause of death.
Longtime Pennsylvania House Rep. Dwight Evans, the face of Philadelphia's Democratic delegation in Harrisburg for decades, is set to go to Washington, D.C.
He defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah in the Democratic primary Tuesday, virtually assuring for himself the 2nd Congressional District seat, held by Fattah for the last 22 years.
Evans, a leader from the powerful Northwest section of the city, seized on an opportunity to unseat Fattah after the 11-term congressman was indicted last July on federal racketeering charges.
What likely aided in Evans' upset bid was his Northwest stronghold — known for its "power wards," areas with strong voter turnout.
But the district also covers much of West Philadelphia and parts of Montgomery County. Fattah in recent weeks spent heavily on radio and television advertisements, using special funds allotted to congressional offices.
Fattah is currently facing charges in connection with campaign funding dating back to his 2007 bid for Philadelphia mayor. A hearing is set for next month, and the trial could begin soon after that.
A witness wound up becoming the victim of a carjacking overnight along one of Philadelphia’s busiest roads during a bizarre series of events that left two Philadelphia police officers hurt.
The plainclothes officers suffered injuries after a driver slammed his black sedan into their unmarked pickup truck along Broad Street at Brown Street in the Fairmount section of North Philadelphia around 2:15 a.m. Wednesday, said police.
A witness -- who said he was frightened -- jumped out of his SUV without putting the vehicle in park. That’s when two men from the black sedan jumped into his white Ford and sped off southbound on Broad Street before turning off and going the wrong direction north on 15th Street, said police.
The Ford SUV then slammed into a gray Nissan Altima carrying three people at the intersection of 15th and Parrish streets. After that wreck the two carjackers ran into The Playhouse nightclub at 822 N Broad Street where they took off some clothing so they could elude police, said investigators.
The men then fled in an unknown direction.
The two plainclothes officers were taken to Hahnemann Hospital for observation for head injuries but were expected to be OK, said police. No one in the second struck vehicle reported being injured.
Besides searching for the hit-and-run suspects, police also tried to pry information from the carjacking victim as they searched for more clues in what they called a bizarre incident.
"It really doesn't make any sense to exit a 2015 vehicle at quarter after 2 in the morning if you're afraid," said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. "If you're afraid you lock your doors and you drive away. For some reason this 33-year-old male he can't give us a clear reason why he jumped out of his car, left it running, left it in drive and therefore it was subsequently stolen."
Expect traffic delays in the area as police continue to investigate the crashes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Philadelphia Police.
A New Jersey police officer tackled a suicidal man seconds before he was going to leap off a bridge, dashcam video of the tense encounter shows.
Riverdale police Sgt. Greg Bogert pulled up to the disturbed man on Route 287 near exit 53 at about 11:30 a.m. Monday after multiple reports of a man walking on the ledge of the bridge.
The man was walking in front of a car on the shoulder of the busy road when Bogert pulled up to the scene, the video shows.
"I remember saying, 'it's not worth it, stay calm,'" Bogert told NBC 4 New York Tuesday.
When Bogert asked the man a question and tried to calm him down, the man sprinted for the ledge of the bridge, the video shows.
Bogert gave chase, yelling "don't do it! don't do it," before he caught up to the suicidal man. He tackled him to the ground just before he reached the ledge, the video shows.
"A lot of people don't realize how fast things happen for us, so a lot of it was instinct and reaction, more than training," said Bogert, an 18-year veteran of the force.
The man continued to struggle, and Bogert held him down on the highway. Cars came dangerously close to them until back-up arrived, video shows.
Bogert's knuckles were raw from the encounter Tuesday but he feels good that he saved the man's life.
"There's a lot of good cops in New Jersey and I don't think they get credit," he said. "And it's nice to see when people recognize it."
The dash cam video has been watched by millions, and Bogert said he's reading all the positive comments on Facebook -- including one from a woman whose family member committed suicide. She thanked Bogert for rescuing another family from the same tragedy.
The overpass near exit 55 is not known for suicides, police said.
The distraught man is being treated at a nearby hospital. Police are looking for his family in Pennsylvania.
Rutgers University students from the New Brunswick campus and the biomedical and health sciences schools will be allowed just three guests when President Obama delivers remarks at the school’s commencement ceremony on May 15.
Rutgers made the announcement on their Facebook page this week, and it has drawn the ire of students who hoped to secure seats for more guests.
“The tickets will be barcoded and will not be transferable. Ticket holders will be required to have photo identification, and all guests must have a ticket regardless of age,” Rutgers said in the statement posted to their Facebook page.
"While the limit to three guests at the stadium is a change from past practice, it ensures that every graduating student from Rutgers University–New Brunswick and from Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences is accommodated," the statement continued.
Students then used the platform to voice their disappointment with the decision.
“I'll remember this when Rutgers sends me a letter requesting alumni donations....” Facebook user Kevin Moser wrote in response to the school’s announcement.
“This is a total disappointment and slap in the face. I've spent my full 4 years here working my hardest to graduate on time-just like many of my classmates,” user Mike McGowen fumed on the school’s Facebook page.
Rutgers announced this month that Obama would deliver remarks at the 2016 commencement ceremony, the first time a sitting president has addressed the school's graduates.
“This is the first time in Rutgers University’s history that a sitting president has agreed to speak at commencement,” said university President Robert Barchi, who added that the New Brunswick campus is "delighted" about Obama's appearance.
And some students like Kiersten Formoso agree.
"Everyone's freaking out about it. I actually think it's incredibly reasonable," she said of the seating limits.
Formoso pointed out that because the president is speaking, Rutgers is shuttling in graduates from the Camden and Newark campuses. And with nearly 18,000 graduates, the seats fill fast.
"I'm excited, you know, to see Obama as my commencement speaker," she said.
Formoso said she'll narrow down her list and focus on commencement with the commander-in-chief.
There will be other viewing sites for people who have already arrangements to be at the ceremony, according to Rutgers. They include the Busch Student Center, the Livingston Student Center or the College avenue Student Center. No tickets are required for viewings there, and seating is general admission.
