Global Warming? Somebody tell this man why a few degrees of extra warmth are bad

So it's going to be a few degrees warmer in the icy northern latitudes they say. Will someone please explain to the natives up there why a few degrees of extra warmth is a bad thing? As the notion of global climate change catches on, some people are finding that this supposed planetary catastrophe is opening up new opportunities. Consider the example of Maine Gov. Paul LePage.

BANGOR, MAINE (Catholic Online) - Although Maine, and most of America is in the midst of a deep freeze just now, global warming and global climate change promoters aren't passing up a good cold snap. Every anomalous weather event is more proof that global climate change is real and we're all doomed unless we return to our ancestor's days of hunting and gathering.

Or something like that.

Of course, we know that's not terribly realistic, so most of us are trying to cope with whatever the weather brings, global warming or not.

Maine Gov. Paul LePage (R) commented last week that global warming might actually be good for the Arctic. Where many people worry about polar bears and ice caps, others see an opportunity for economic development.

Gov. LePage remarked on Thursday, "Everybody looks at the negative effects of global warming, but with the ice melting, the Northern Passage has opened up. So maybe, instead of being at the end of the pipeline, we're now at the beginning of a new pipeline."

He's right.

Global warming may create problems for some places, but many more places, especially in the northern latitudes, will enjoy warmer weather with more accessible sea routes. This means shipping and other economic opportunities for industries and individuals.

One estimate suggests that the opening of the fabled Northwest Passage could cut shipping time from Asia to Europe by as much as 40 percent.

Americans and Canadians could benefit in a number of other ways too. Longer growing seasons, frozen wasteland turning into farmland, and many other untold benefits could away a warmer northern hemisphere.

It is true that global climate change, if it's as dramatic as some say,  may have downsides, but for enterprising firms and clever individuals, the warming of the northern latitudes could also open up opportunities.

Regardless of global climate change is happening as predicted, the best strategy we can adopt is adaptation. Instead of arguing over whether or not it's real or made-up, we should simply be prepared to adapt to changes as they occur. The planet is a dynamic place and something is always changing.

Whenever change comes, it's better to see the opportunity it presents as opposed to focusing on the loss. Lives will only be improved if we focus on making the most of what nature deals to us.

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