Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-12-04
How To Temper Our Climate.

writer in the atlantic HOnthIH for De-
cembeT. in discussing the North American eli
mate. refers To our unfayOTed condition aS
compared with that of Europe. points out the
cause, and suggests remedy. The buried
tropical forests ON the shores of Greenland in
dictate that our land was not always rs at
present the battle ground of bitter cold and
burning heat. but was once bathed in mildly
heated atmosphere. The cause of this change
must be sought. according to the methods of
modern science, in the gradual effects of some
permanent force. Streams of heat pouring
from the sun with nearly equal force in every
direction. are unequally distributed over the
spherical form of the earth: at the froDicS
where the direct rays of the sun are received
the expansive power Of heat causes a sy,-
TEN of movements which spread warmth
widely north and south. The PRINCIPAL
mediums Of this distribution are the ocean
currents. though the winds have some
share in the labor. The gulf stream is
the most important carrying agent. and but
for it the tropics would be several degrees
hotter. the polar circles colder in a CORES
pOnding degree, and the world rendered far
less habitable. As the ocean currents i'm
going from the equator To the poles move
faster than the regions they continually enter
their paths are northeast and southeast: and
a this condition. perpetual, each Ocean'keeps
within its own basin 4 circulation Of heated
water very deep at the equator. growing shall
lower and ShallOwer as il spreads towards the
pole, but carrying even into the arctic circle
nearly a. much heat as is east there by the
rays of the sun. Ii is evident that the infer
ventiOn of any body which turns the ocean
eurrent.from its path, will I've powerful agent
OF climatic change. Ii is held therefore
that the conformation Of the two continents
rN1na .I. 81. II
from the coast of Asia. to useIeSSly discharge
great volumes Of heat into the bay formed BY
the eonyerging shores of Asia and Africa. is
the principal cause of our unfavOrable eli
mate. The tropical water is beaten back from
the shores. very little finding its way through
The narrow passage of BehTing strait II the
low districts Of Eastern Siberia aud Western
Alaska could be sunk few hundred feet be-
meath the sea. the Pacific current like thu of
the Atlantic, would flow uninteTruptedIv to
the pole. the temperature of the Arctic re-
giOns would be raised some thirty degrees the
vegetation of the temperate zone would spread
hortbwafd. and vast forests would take the
place OF hteleSS eXpanses of snow and ice
Tropical heat would also be lowered the winds
from the north would blow over fields and
woods. not icebergs, our climate would be-
come mild and equable. and the life-sustainipg
power ct our northern lands would be doubled.
Inc theory h, then, that the gradual lifting of
ihis barrier between the tropical current and
me pole has been the refrigerating agent i'm
our climatic change. And the remedy SIG
Sested Is the opening of a passage through the
Alaskan peninsula, 400 feet i'm depth and a
isnndred miles wide. As the Atlantic writer
intimateS, this is a work OF greater magnitude
than has ever before been attempted by man.
and VIII not perhaps be effected by the selfish
world. But If nations would use the life now
wasted in their armies and prisons. and the
millions Squandered thereon i'm this under
taking. an opening for tramp Labor
De offered, much that 10 non, .,,.,,-. ,'.'''ia
!, niaoe pI"hlaor and the world wouId take
lard step.