Global Warming Closer to Home

For the past three months, the weather has been unbelievably hot. During my trip up north in February, I noticed that the leaves of the trees lining the highway in the northern states of Kedah and Penang has shrivelled. The drought was being felt very badly.

We are a bit luckier where we live. As it is within the water catchment area, rain falls more frequently. However the evening rains are often accompanied by thunderstorms because the temperature rises in the morning and afternoon to about 40 degrees. The rain would reduce the ambient temperature and make life more bearable. If it doesn't rain, then the nights would be stifling hot.

Fans and air conditioners sell like hot cakes during the hot weather. I have to admit that I too need the aircon in order to sleep well. It is like the chicken or the egg. The hotter the weather, the more energy is used to cool down, leading to even hotter weather.

No one needs the hot water heater anymore when you can just turn the tap and the water that you get is already hot. Imagine you have to wait for the water to cool down before taking your shower!