Uh-oh.

Climate scientists have documented a pronounced slowdown in the Pacific Ocean atmospheric system that drives the trade winds, a prediction of global warming theory that appears to be coming true.

Reader support helps sustain our work. Donate today to keep our climate news free. All donations DOUBLED!

You — or Jonah Goldberg — might say: Trade winds? Who uses trade winds anymore? I get groceries by truck, not square rigger. The scientists continue:

They focused on the giant system known as the "Walker circulation," named in honor of Sir Gilbert Walker, the late British scientist who was one of the first to trace connections among widely scattered weather events. The system is a kind of heat engine that drives half the world’s climate.

Grist thanks its sponsors. Become one.

When you read things like this, remember that there is a relatively small group of people who took money to ensure that our federal government not only ignores the threat, but undercuts those working toward effective remedies.