The latest news in the weather world is NOAA’s declaration that this year is the hottest on record for the contiguous United States. Add that to the fact that NOAA also declared that it’s an 80% chance that this year’s high heat are a result of climate change and you have quite the climate change debate starter.

I’m a proponent of not making a big deal out of these news stories purely because I’ve had far to many conversations with climate change deniers where they say “it was SO COLD in my backyard last night, how’s that for your climate change?” The harder you push, the harder it becomes a “faith-based” reason for disbelieving scientists and experts, and it’s a useless fight. You start with a logical opening, and eventually corner the last 10% of disbelievers that become so pressurized that they do something crazy. It’s not worth it.

Just acknowledge the interesting news, decide whether it changes the way you’re going to approach your life, and go do something about it. Don’t pick fights; just remember facts when the conversation comes up later. Saving my hot air for global cooling, Raymond.