Finally, a Sign of the Apocalypse that Isn't Caused by Global Warming

With flood, drought, disease, famine, war and even earthquakes predicted as possible consequences of global warming, it's oddly comforting to hear of new research out of China that draws on an extraordinary 1,000-plus year imperial record of locust infestations.

Crop-decimating locust swarms, it seems, like it cool. Or, at least, the most damaging plagues of locusts have been visited on the far east in cooler seasons, according to research published in the Proceeding of the National Academy of Science, and written about in the South China Morning Post.

Emperors demanded collection of the data to determine patterns in locust populations in a bid to predict future swarms. Contrary to a popular misconception, migratory locusts are solitary insects but during a population surge, they swarm and ravish crops, often causing famine and social unrest in ancient times. ... The team went through the records -- believed to be the most extensive data on long-term climate changes and insect populations in history -- decade by decade. Now, that's patience.

Now, if only I could quiet the nagging feeling that somehow global warming will make frogs fall from the sky, I could move on with my weekend.

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