Inconvenient Clouds

Now

Seasonably mild. Thin, but persistent, high overcast is keeping Washington's official temperatures from reaching the expected 60s for the third consecutive day, although Dulles had a high of 60°, and, to the south, Fredericksburg touched 70°. Seasonably mild conditions will continue through most of the week as cold air now making its way into the northern plains works slowly eastward.

U.S. temperature chart at 3pm today from Unisys

Tonight and Tomorrow

Some clouds, continued mild. Mainly overcast skies this evening will give way to partial clearing by morning with lows in the low 40s downtown to the mid 30s in the cooler 'burbs. Tomorrow will be partly to mostly sunny with highs in the low 60s.

For the outlook through the rest of the week, scroll down to Jason's post below.

Science and Policy

The lame-duck Congress is back in session, so that can mean only one thing: Lock up your wives and daughters! Seriously, it's time for the next American Meteorological Society Environmental Science Seminar on Capitol Hill. The topic is "The Divide between Values and Behavior: Exploring American Perceptions of Global Warming and the Environment." Questions to be considered are:

Many in society still largely adhere to the notion that 'If we just tell people the facts, they'll reach the right conclusion.' Is this notion supported by research on risk perception, decision-making, and behavior? It is said that people think in terms of frames. How do frames differ from facts? What role do facts play in public perceptions and behavior regarding environmental risks such as global warming? What other factors influence perception and behavior? Is there a disconnect between environmental values and behavior? If so,why? Given the above, what are the most effective ways of communicating environmental risks?

• Date: Tuesday, November 28, 2006 (tomorrow)
  
• Time: 12:00 noon - 2:00 pm
  
• Location: Dirksen Senate Office Bldg., Room 106
  
• Note to starving interns: Buffet reception following.
  

The event is open to the public, RSVP not required.

This topic is especially relevant given the alarming WaPo Outlook article ("Science a la Joe Camel") yesterday by Laurie David, a co-producer of the climate change documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." Evidently Big Oil is not content with the already low funding of science education in this country but has gotten into bed with the National Science Teachers Association to actively undermine it with its own propaganda. What's next, free trans fats for Home Economics classes and cigarettes for the sports teams?