Avian Infuenza

Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus. The disease, which was first identified in Italy more than 100 years ago, occurs worldwide.

Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe
I skimmed through the article, a bad habit I know, but is/was there any proof that this has ever happened?

Here's the piece you skimmed.

In 1999, Scott Rogers from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and his colleagues reported finding the tomato mosaic tobamovirus (ToMV) in 17 different ice-core sections at two locations deep inside the Greenland ice pack. Gentle defrosting revealed that this common plant pathogen had survived being entombed in ice for 140 000 years.

Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe
And, anyway, how do we know the ice caps will continue to melt?

The evidence is not good. I think the before and after pics tell it all...

Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe
In the 1970s, there was some indication of "global cooling"

For your reading enjoyment:
www.nationalcenter.org...

Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe
www.etherzone.com...

Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe
www-earth.usc.edu...

Originally posted by DontTreadOnMe
www.iceagenow.com...

I'm sorry zero stars aren't possible. An early review of this book stated: 'Lots of psuedo-science in this disaster scenario scare book. Author blames magnetic reversals for almost everything; dinosaur extinctions, earthquakes, sea level changes, and most of all ice ages. He mixes enough actual science in to alarm people who are not well read on these subjects. Many scientists and scientific concepts are quoted way out of context to prop up author's theories. For example he confuses nuclear fusion in the sun with the aurora, calling it "miniature atomic explosions". Does he know he causes 'miniature atomic explosions' every time he turns on a fluorescent light? Many of his ideas could be shown to be wrong with a couple of magnets on your desk.'

As an informed non-scientist on climate issues, I can only add that Felix's specific ideas on that subject are equally ludicrous. A good place to get the facts on climate is www.realclimate.org, a blog run by actual climate scientists. RealClimate does assume a degree of prior knowledge of climate issues, so for a primer click on "Climate Basics" under Science Links on the right side of the home page.

Source.

Plague could worsen with global warming
"Wetter, warmer weather conditions mean there are likely to be more of the bacteria around than normal and the chance of it spreading to humans is higher," he said.