# Current observable effects of climate change?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-observable-effects-of-climate-change/506188>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 12, 2009, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-observable-effects-of-climate-change/506188 "2009-08-12T15:52:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2009, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-observable-effects-of-climate-change/506188/21 "2009-08-13T22:54:50Z")

</div>

> [@intention](#):
>
> How on earth can pointing out that the OP’s question cannot have an answer because it is too vague be anything other than “commentary to the question in the OP”? The question as posed cannot be answered. Perhaps, Colibri, you might toss it out of GQ because of that, or you might claim that I’m wrong and the question can have an answer so it does belong in GQ … but claiming that my observation does not cut to the heart of the OP’s question is simply not true.

[Moderating]

Sorry, you did much more than simply indicate that the question can’t be answered. Despite the OP’s specific request NOT to reply if you don’t believe AGW is not occuring, you did EXACTLY that. Frankly, I’m tired of having to move or close almost every single global warming thread in GQ, no matter how narrowly the question is framed, because people insist on debating the reality of the phenomenon (even though it is accepted by a large majority of scientists).

Let’s just assume, as a hypothetical for the purposes of this thread, that AGW is occurring, and answer the question from that perspective. It’s not like the question of AGW itself hasn’t been debated ad infinitum in dozens of GD threads.

> [@](#):
>
> The question as posed cannot be answered.

If you believe the question can’t be answered, then it is probably best if you don’t respond to it further.

And before I am accused of bias against dissenting viewpoints, I would note my own position, expressed above, that even if AGW is occurring, there doesn’t seem to be any clear evidence as yet that it is linked to increasing droughts and floods.

Colibri  
General Questions Moderator

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ralph124c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@ralph124c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ralph124c)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-observable-effects-of-climate-change/506188/22 "2009-08-14T00:45:08Z")

</div>

A few years ago, the Arctic Sea ice melted-allowing ships to traverse the famous Nortwest passage. Is the route now in use?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![intention](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e95f7d/32.png) [@intention](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/intention)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2009, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-observable-effects-of-climate-change/506188/23 "2009-08-14T21:52:02Z")

</div>

Colibri, thanks for the clarification. I do think that all climate changes are “observable effects of climate change”, so the question cannot be answered.

Have fun with the question, however. Per your request, I’m gone.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/current-observable-effects-of-climate-change/506188.md?page=1)