Prof. Peter Ward has been active in paleontology, biology, and astrobiology for more than 40 years. In the first half, he discussed reports of warming oceans and ocean currents in the Atlantic slowing down, and what this means for the planet's health. A recent study found that the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is slowing down and may be on the verge of collapse. The potential failure of the AMOC, which includes the Gulf Stream, is likely due to human-caused global warming, Ward said, pointing out that we have higher C02 levels on Earth than any time within the last seven million years. AMOC is a massive current system responsible for moderating temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere, and if it fails, it will cause an even greater rise of sea level on the East Coast, he cautioned.
If the current were to stop, he continued, one of the most significant impacts would be parts of Europe falling into an indefinite cold snap, which would affect many countries' ability to grow food. A similar situation with AMOC is thought to have occurred around the end of the last Ice Age, bringing on a cold spell in the region that continued for hundreds of years. The currents in the atmosphere, like the jet stream, are also experiencing discontinuities and extremes. That's what contributed to the record-breaking heatwaves in the American Northwest this summer (Portland, Oregon hit 116 degrees), Ward said. There was a devastating toll on human life, and even the evergreen pine trees turned yellow from intense sun and heat, he detailed. Geoengineering ideas to reduce the CO2 content (like dropping iron files into the ocean or sulfur dust into the atmosphere) may create more problems than they fix, he added.
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Dan Baldwin has invested more than 20 years using his skills as a pendulum dowser to locate missing persons and is considered an expert in the field. In the latter half, he revealed what the spirits say about life on the Other Side. The pendulum swings in a specific way (such as to the right or left) to denote either yes or no answers. It works by using the subconscious to tap into a higher power, he suggested. In recent years, Baldwin started focusing on communicating with spirits via the pendulum in order to learn more about their existence. Contrary to haunting reports, ghosts aren't trapped in a specific location but are very mobile and generally choose to be in a certain spot, he said. A spirit is able to "multitask," he was told, living their existence in the spirit realm while visiting the Earth plane at the same time.
The crossover experience upon death can vary depending on a person's culture-- some see angels, others may see forms of light, or friends and relatives, who help ease them into the new environment. The Other Side is initially very Earth-like to help reduce the shock, he added. Spirits can continue to pursue interests and careers they had on Earth-- one deceased musician said he was part of a jam band, Baldwin recounted. But when they're ready, other levels of spiritual development are available-- it's a kind of "springboard for even greater adventures," he shared. Baldwin also talked about utilizing the pendulum to find locations on a map, using a ruler to pinpoint precise longitudes and latitudes, or compass directions.
News segment guests: Howard Bloom, Mish Shedlock