Thoughts for a hot weekend.

- Mark Sebastian and Steve Boone

A bit unusually, I haven't had anyone ask, "Hot enough for you?" during this recent heat wave.

Perhaps people are finally coming to grip with the fact that: a) it's summer; it's expected that it will get hot, and b) winter will return before we know it.

There has been some discussion as to whether this is just a garden-variety heat wave, or if the dreaded "global warming" is to blame.

I've commented previously that, where weather is concerned, we tend to have rather short memories. We have had heat waves like this before.

Environment Canada records show a temperature of 36.1°C on 6 July 1988. The next day would be even hotter, with a high of 36.8°C. Those record-breaking temperatures were part of a 5-day stretch with temperatures above 30°C. There were also two more days toward the end of the month (28^th and 29^th) where the temperature was again above 30°C.

In reviewing the historical data, the average July temperatures were fairly constant, with lows of 10-11°C, and highs of 24°C.

Still, over the past six decades there have been twelve "heat waves" -- at least one, and often four or five days when the temperature rose above 30°C, often into the mid-30s: 1963, 1966, 1975, 1977, 1983, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1999, 2001, 2005, and 2006.

I think part of the problem with our recollections stems from our ages when previous heat waves occurred. If, for instance, we were still in our single-digits we may not have been as attuned to temperature and other weather data. It was hot, and we played in the shade, splashed in a shallow, inflatable pool, or ran through the sprinkler.

Into our teens we may not have been as willing to run through sprinklers, and would not have been able to get ourselves to the beach, so we may recall spending a lot of time just hanging around with friends, especially those whose parents may have had air conditioning, or perhaps heading to the mall.

As young adults, a drive to the beach would certainly have been in order. Our summer jobs may have been in the recreation or service industries, where shade, cooling breezes, or air conditioning offered some respite from the heat.

As older adults, we would have been more aware of weather data, as well as the monetary cost associated with higher temperatures: the cost of a continuously-chugging air conditioner, having the sprinkler running for the kids and grandkids to run through, as well as what was often a fruitless attempt to keep the lawn green and the flowers from wilting.

Also, as adults, we find ourselves less able to endure the temperatures that, as children, we would have enjoyed.

There continues to be a great deal of debate regarding "global warming," with some denying it even exists, other pointing to global warming as the cause of most of our climate-related problems, and a full spectrum of opinions between these two extremes.

Part of that debate includes speculation as to whether global warming is an entirely human-caused event, and natural phenomena to which human activity may have contributed or accelerated, or a purely natural phenomena.

I must admit that I tend toward the "contributed" option, but I do also see merit in the "purely natural" explanation.

What if our planet is simply going the way of Mercury and Venus, slowly baking in the rays of the sun until it become a desolate, red-hot hunk of spinning rock?

I'm not saying this is the case, but it could be. That would not preclude us from taking actions to mitigate our influence on climate -- we made similar and productive efforts in the 60s and 70s to reduce pollution.

But, I digress.

Whether this heat wave is a result of global warming, climate change, or just a natural cycle, there is precious little we can do about it. Efforts we make toward reducing our "carbon footprint" and the emission of "greenhouse gasses" may benefit our grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but will have no immediate effect.

We must simply endure the heat, taking all necessary precautions:

• stay indoors, preferably in an air-conditioned environment
• keep hydrated -- drink water or fruit juices (alcohol may seem "refreshing," but will further dehydrate you)
• if you must be outdoors, take frequent breaks in the shade

Remember to check on children, the elderly, and anyone with medical conditions that may be adversely affected by the heat, such as asthma and diabetes.

And never forget, six months from now we'll still be complaining about the weather.

But… that's just my opinion.

Keep cool.