Editor:
I recently heard a Vancouver weather forecaster enthuse about how great it was that July had no rainfall -an all-time record. It was also record heat, and the full significance of an unusually hot month without normal rainfall seemed unimportant. Some folks seem to care little about such things.
Of course, it's good news for outdoors enthusiasts and tourism. But anyone aware of how reduced rainfall intensifies forest fires, depletes water reservoirs and creates other extremes will see the folly in glorifying hot weather without rain. Granted, too much rain can cause problems, but too little of it can impact a much greater number of people on a far broader scale. Without water, we're toast.
As the climate changes, weather forecasters may one day be obliged to report without applauding Mother Nature's warmer hiccups. In her defence, they mightn't happen if we did a better job of cleaning up the biosphere in which she works. But whether it's a lapse or a new reality, I think it's short-sighted to celebrate the lack of summer rain -or is it just me?
Dale Macdonald, Sechelt
