Increase In Rainfall Variability Related To Global Climate Change

Without carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere the planet temperature would be an average -18 degree C. For many centuries prior to the 1700's the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere had been reducing and in the 1700's we were entering a new ice age. The Gulf Stream had stopped and the Thames froze in London.

This ice age did not happen because of Farming. Major slash and burn took place in new lands and in addition industry began to use coal instead of wood charcoal both together increasing the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

In the next 2-3 centuries the carbon dioxide increased in the Earth's atmosphere trapping more and more solar energy; with the increased use of fossil fuels, oil and gas being substituted for coal. This has given rise to a steady increase in the average planet temperatures.

Here in Thailand in SE Asia in the 1990's the climatic cycle of 7 years was governed by the "El Nino condition" in the Pacific Ocean. This produced some dry years and some very wet years. However in the 2000's the slash and burn methods were re-introduced to produce palm oil and sugar cane for use in the transport industry as a substitute for fossil fuels.

Land which had previously been used for food production was turned over to fuel production with major burning of plant residues. 

Normally in this location 12 degree N. and 100 degree E. there is an annual rainfall of almost 1 meters some 40 inches, punctuated by two dry periods one of 4.5 months and one of about 2 months.

The 2011 and 2012 dry period however lasted for about 9 months with the result that many trees died through lack of moisture and starvation. 

In our land the coconuts palms were the worst effected with many deaths and even the survivors have not recovered after 2 years. There was substantial rainfall {ie. 2012 1.5 metres (60 inches)} after the drought period. In 2013 there has been little / no production of coconuts. Other trees affected are limes, dragon fruits and ornament palm trees around the house. 

Thomas Hall