As of Friday, July 29, the governor of Kentucky reported that 16 people have died because of severe floods. The governor said we should expect that number to swell as unforgiving floodwaters continue to drown towns and sweep away houses and businesses. Mudslides have stranded people on steep slopes. Thousands of people have no power.Kentucky was still rebuilding after tornados leveled towns in the western portion of the state in December 2021.Climate scientists have shown that for every Celsius degree of temperature rise, the atmosphere holds 7% more moisture. Under the right conditions, that moisture is released in rainfall events like Kentucky has been experiencing.The heat is on. Besides Kentucky, thousands of people across the country have been inundated with flooding; others are suffering under sweltering temperatures. No matter what your thoughts are about climate change, Bob Dylan was right when he sang these lyrics: Come gather ’round people; wherever you roam; and admit that the waters around you have grown; and accept it, that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone; if your time to you is worth savin,í you better start swimmin,í or you’ll sink like a stone ó for the times they are a-changiní!!!Colorado weather has always been a fickle pickle! But we are not immune to climate change. Just ask the water gods. According to the University of Colorado Boulder Environmental Center, we rely on snowpack for our drinking water. Snowpack accounts for 70% of Coloradoís water supply. Less snow means less water. Snow is melting 15 to 30 days earlier than it was 25 years ago ó every year, spring starts sooner and summer lasts longer. Scientists say snowpack in the Southern Rockies will drop 50% this century. Sierra Nevada snowpack is expected to fall 90%.There are numerous factors that will affect Coloradoís climate in the future ó as scientists have noted, that future is knocking at our door. In the next couple of months, we would like to tackle some of the environment issues that Colorado will face, so send us any of your ideas for related topics.Also, look out for some ìcosmeticî changes to The New Falcon Herald coming up ó we might even change our name (just a little)!Did you know August is a month known for famous murders? Maybe itís the dog days of summer that heats up homicidal inclinations. Check out Ava Stollerís article on some of those infamous August mass murderers.Speaking of Ava, she is off to the University of Colorado Boulder this fall. Her dad, Mark, writes about ìletting goî in his Markís Meanderings column. Ava will hopefully write one more article for us before she is entrenched in studies. We will miss her, but we wish her the best. Thank you, Ava, for all youíve done for us ó your writing skills will suit you well as you pursue a career in communications.Lea Grady tackled an article on pet surrenders, which is rising in these economically uncertain times. A new rezoning plan, changes at Pikes Peak State College, Meadow Lakeís fabulous Falcon Aerolab and city taxes vs. the county, littering are some of the other topics we have covered this month.Enjoy the dog days of summer before school starts up again. Stay cool, and happy Labor Day.See you in October!– Michelle
