...is it hot in here, or is it just climate change?
If you’re not worried about global warming, not bothered by the potential of climate change, and/or steamed about which of those phrases is currently politically correct, perhaps this will get your attention…you’re shrinking.
Well, in theory. According to a study published by a team of vertebrate paleontologists in the current issue of Science, a warmer climate could mean a smaller human race, not in volume but in stature.
Now before you run off to tell your buddies that they look shorter than yesterday, let me explain the finer points of evolution to you. Evolution is a process that occurs over thousands, upon thousands of years. This shift in temperature and theoretical resulting shrinking of the species will take place over generations as natural selection occurs.
Except you for you, yeah you throwing your recyclables into the garbage bin…you’re looking a little bit shorter today.
All of that’s assuming that this theory even holds water. The notion is that smaller humans have a smaller surface area and dissipate heat faster and therefore will thrive better than their larger comrades in a warmer world.
Of course this theory doesn’t take things like climate control and division of wealth into account, but in a post-apocalyptic wasteland in which we’re forced to scurry from shade rock to shade rock, it makes perfect sense. Plus it’s a pretty strong motivator in the fight against obesity.
Prepare yourselves for the rise of the Hobbits!!! (figuratively speaking of course)
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“Little People: Will Climate Change Shrink the Species?”: TIME
…bi-daily smile…
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