Singer / Songwriter / Lyrics / Music = Songs

• After-Storm.mp3
• After-Storm.mp4

[Verse 1]
In the after-storm
There’s ions everywhere
A fresh feeling born
Smell it in the air
In the after-storm
Becoming self-aware
A fresh feeling born
Taste it in the air

[Chorus]
The leaves turned upside down
And then, right side up
The winds whirled around
The rain pouring down
[Bridge]
Bathing in a serene scene
I’m sublime
In time
Ozone
Not alone
Quicker
Petrichor

[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drum Fills]

[Verse 2]
In the after-storm
The atmosphere is clear
A fresh feeling born
See it far and near
In the after-storm
The sound is crystal clear
A fresh feeling born
Hear it it far and near

[Chorus]
The leaves turned upside down
And then, right side up
The winds whirled around
The rain pouring down
[Bridge]
Bathing in a serene scene
I’m sublime
In time
The air there
And all around
Carries sound

[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Bass]

[Outro]
Bathing in a serene scene
I’m sublime
In time

A SCIENCE NOTE
After a storm, the atmosphere undergoes several changes that contribute to the characteristic “fresh” smell and taste, as well as improved sight and sound. Here are the key factors involved:

Fresh Smell and Taste

1. Ozone Production:
   • Lightning during a storm can produce ozone (O₃) by splitting oxygen molecules (O₂) in the atmosphere, which then recombine to form ozone. Ozone has a distinct, sharp smell often described as “clean” or “fresh,” which can be noticeable after a storm.
2. Petrichor:
   • Petrichor is the earthy smell produced when rain falls on dry soil. The term was coined by scientists to describe the combination of oils secreted by plants during dry periods and a compound called geosmin, produced by soil-dwelling bacteria. When rain hits the ground, these compounds are released into the air, contributing to the fresh, earthy aroma.
3. Negative Ions:
   • Storms, especially those involving thunder and lightning, can increase the concentration of negative ions in the air. These ions are believed to contribute to the fresh smell and may also improve mood and well-being. Negative ions can help clear the air of pollutants and allergens, enhancing the perception of freshness.

Improved Sight

1. Air Purification:
   • Rainfall can help cleanse the air by removing dust, pollen, and other airborne particles. This process, known as “wet deposition,” results in cleaner air, which can improve visibility and make colors appear more vivid.
2. Humidity and Light Scattering:
   • The increased humidity following a storm can enhance the scattering of light, making the sky appear clearer and the air crisper. This effect can enhance visual clarity and the perception of distance.

Improved Sound

1. Sound Propagation:
   • The atmosphere’s composition and temperature profile change after a storm, which can affect how sound travels. Cooler, cleaner air with higher humidity can carry sound waves more efficiently, making sounds appear clearer and sharper.
2. Reduced Background Noise:
   • The rain can dampen and wash away dust and particles that contribute to background noise. Additionally, the post-storm calm, with less wind and other disturbances, can create a quieter environment, allowing sounds to be heard more distinctly.

The fresh smell and taste after a storm result from ozone production, petrichor, and increased negative ions. The improved sight is due to the cleansing of airborne particles and changes in light scattering, while the enhanced sound quality arises from better sound propagation conditions and reduced background noise. These combined effects create the distinct post-storm sensory experience.

From the album “Incoming” by The Beatless Sense Mongers

MegaEpix Enormous

• Cloud-Burst.mp3
• Cloud-Burst.mp4

Crack of thunder
Struck with wonder

[Verse 1]
Sudden
Out of nowhere
Laden
With problems
(Unaware)

[Chorus]
Warmer air
Up there
More moisture
For sure

[Bridge]
Cloud burst
Cursed
With human activity
Cloud burst
Cursed
What a travesty

[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drum Fills]

[Verse 2]
Sudden
What a surprise
Laden
With agonize
(Realize)

[Chorus]
Warmer air
Up there
More moisture
For sure

[Bridge]
Cloud burst
Cursed
With human activity
Cloud burst
Cursed
What a travesty

[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Piano]

[Bridge]
Cloud burst
Cursed
With human activity
What a travesty
Burst wide open
Now dumpin’
Cursed
The worst
Cloud burst

[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drum Fills]

[Chorus]
Warmer air
Up there
More moisture
For sure

[Outro]
Cursed
The worst
Cloud burst

A SCIENCE NOTE
A cloudburst is a sudden, intense rainfall event where a large amount of rain falls over a very short period, often leading to flash flooding. These events are typically characterized by rainfall rates exceeding 100 millimeters (about 4 inches) per hour. Cloudbursts can cause significant damage, especially in areas with poor drainage or steep terrain, as the rapid influx of water can overwhelm natural and man-made systems.

How Climate Change Influences Cloudbursts

1. Increased Atmospheric Moisture:
   • Warmer Air Holds More Moisture: As global temperatures rise due to climate change, the atmosphere can hold more water vapor. For every 1 degree Celsius increase in temperature, the air can hold about 7% more moisture. This means that when conditions are right for precipitation, there is more water available, potentially leading to more intense rainfall events like cloudbursts.
2. Enhanced Convective Activity:
   • Stronger Updrafts: Warmer surface temperatures can lead to stronger convection currents, where warm, moist air rises rapidly into the atmosphere. These strong updrafts can lead to the formation of intense thunderstorms, which are often responsible for cloudbursts.
   • Increased Instability: Climate change can increase atmospheric instability, which is a key ingredient for severe weather, including intense localized rainfall.
3. Altered Weather Patterns:
   • Changes in Storm Tracks: Climate change can alter the paths that storms typically take, potentially bringing heavy rainfall to areas that are not accustomed to such events.
   • Stalled Weather Systems: Some research suggests that climate change can cause weather systems to move more slowly. This stalling effect can lead to prolonged periods of heavy rain over the same area, increasing the likelihood of cloudbursts and flash flooding.
4. Urban Heat Islands:
   • Local Temperature Increases: In urban areas, the concentration of buildings, roads, and other infrastructure can create “urban heat islands,” where temperatures are higher than in surrounding rural areas. These higher temperatures can enhance local convection and contribute to the development of intense rainfall events.
5. Sea Surface Temperatures:
   • More Powerful Storms: Warmer sea surface temperatures can lead to stronger and more moisture-laden storms. When these storms move over land, they can release large amounts of precipitation in a short time, potentially causing cloudbursts.

Examples and Evidence

• Extreme Rainfall Events: There has been an observed increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events in many parts of the world, consistent with predictions of climate change models.
• Case Studies: Various studies have linked recent extreme precipitation events to climate change. For example, the 2010 cloudburst in Leh, India, which resulted in significant loss of life and property, was attributed to an unusually intense convective storm.

Climate change influences cloudbursts by increasing atmospheric moisture, enhancing convective activity, altering weather patterns, and raising sea surface temperatures. These changes contribute to the conditions that make intense, short-duration rainfall events more likely and more severe.

From the album “Incoming” by The Beatless Sense Mongers

MegaEpix Enormous

A song about The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

• Steady-and-Heavy.mp3
• Steady-and-Heavy.mp4

[Verse 1]
Coming in steady
And heavy
A constant deluge
I’m seeking refuge

[Chorus]
Relentlessness
Creates a mess
Floods and mud
Sacrificial blood

[Bridge]
Steady
Heavy
Precipitation
Repetition
Participation
What’s your justification?

[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drum Fills]

[Verse 2]
Coming in steady
And heavy
A constant downpour
I can’t take any more

[Chorus]
Relentlessness
Creates a mess
Floods and mud
Sacrificial blood

[Bridge]
Steady
Heavy
Precipitation
Repetition
Participation
What’s your justification?

[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Synthesizers]

[Bridge]
Steady
Heavy
Precipitation
Repetition
Participation
What’s your justification?

[Chorus]
Relentlessness
Creates a mess
Floods and mud
Sacrificial blood

[Instrumental, Piano]

[Outro]
Steady
Heavy
Participation
What’s your justification?

A SCIENCE NOTE
What’s your justification?

Climate change is primarily driven by the escalation of thermal energy affecting biogeophysical and socio-economic systems. While biogeophysical factors can be studied using math, physics, and historical records, socio-economic systems pose greater challenges due to the unpredictable consequences of human behavior and inexplicable consumer choices.

Inexplicable consumer behavior in the face of known consequences of anthropogenic climate change can manifest in various ways. Some examples include:

1. Excessive Consumption: Despite awareness of the environmental impact of overconsumption, some individuals continue to engage in excessive buying behaviors, contributing to resource depletion, waste generation, and carbon emissions.
2. Preference for Non-sustainable Products: Despite the availability of sustainable alternatives, some consumers may choose products with high environmental footprints due to perceived convenience, lower cost, or brand loyalty, ignoring the long-term consequences.
3. Disregard for Energy Efficiency: Despite the availability of energy-efficient appliances and technologies, some consumers may prioritize other factors (e.g., aesthetics, initial cost) over energy savings, leading to higher energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
4. Single-Use Plastic Consumption: Despite widespread knowledge of the detrimental effects of single-use plastics on the environment, some consumers continue to use disposable plastic products excessively, contributing to plastic pollution in oceans and ecosystems.
5. Inefficient Transportation Choices: Despite awareness of the environmental impact of fossil fuel-powered vehicles, some consumers may prefer inefficient modes of transportation (e.g., driving alone in gas-guzzling vehicles) over sustainable alternatives (e.g., public transit, biking, walking).
6. Food Waste: Despite understanding the environmental consequences of food waste, some consumers may continue to waste food due to overbuying, improper storage, or disregard for expiration dates, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions from landfills.
7. Fast Fashion Consumption: Despite awareness of the environmental and social impacts of fast fashion, including water pollution, chemical usage, and labor exploitation, some consumers continue to support the industry by purchasing cheap, disposable clothing.
8. Reluctance to Adopt Sustainable Practices: Despite increasing awareness of sustainable living practices (e.g., recycling, composting, reducing meat consumption), some consumers may be resistant to change due to inertia, lack of knowledge, or perceived inconvenience.

These examples illustrate how consumer behavior can sometimes defy logic or go against the imperative of addressing climate change and environmental degradation. Addressing these behaviors often requires a combination of education, policy interventions, market incentives, and societal norms to encourage more sustainable choices.

From the album “Incoming” by The Beatless Sense Mongers

MegaEpix Enormous

A song about The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

• Darker.mp3
• Darker.mp4

[Intro]
Storm warning
Alarming

[Verse 1]
The sky grows darker
The wind whips harder
Outlook grows bleaker
Searching for a truth seeker

[Chorus]
Can you explain
What’s happening
Under Man’s domain
Can you articulate
What the primate
Change incorporates

[Bridge]
Severity
A clarity
The way force flows go
You know?

[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drum Fills, Bass]

[Verse 2]
The outlook starker
The times grow darker
The question remains
Who sustains?

[Chorus]
Can you explain
What’s happening
Under Man’s domain
Can you articulate
What the primate
Change incorporates

[Bridge]
Severity
A clarity
The way force flows go
You know?

[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Piano, Bass]

[Bridge]
Severity
A clarity
Force flows go
(Woe, woe, woe)
Are you aware:
Scale as the square
Of velocity
Look! See.

[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Piano, Bass]

[Chorus]
Can you explain
What’s happening
Under Man’s domain
Can you articulate
What the primate
Change incorporates

[Outro]
Are you aware:
Scale as the square
Of velocity
Look! See.

A SCIENCE NOTE

Wind and water flow forces scale as the square of velocity, so as flow speeds increase (say due to more intense heating or heavier rain) the damage scales as the square of the velocity. Look at drag physics and you will see that force is proportional to density times square of velocity (v^2). So a twenty mile an hour wind exerts four times as much force as a ten mile an hour wind. And a forty mile an hour wind exerts sixteen times as much force as a ten mile an hour wind. A wind of fifty miles an hour exerts twenty five times and a wind of sixty miles an hour exerts thirty six times as much force as one of ten miles an hour. Then you have the density term. Water is about eight hundred times denser than air, So the force exerted by a ten mile an hour flow of water is eight hundred times that of a ten mile an hour wind. So as flow velocities go up due to climate change, force and damage scale as square of the velocities. What is not clear is how much these velocities increase with climate change. But in a sense we are seeing this already as, for example, flood and sewage systems succumb and hillsides fall down, and so on.

— from The Reign of Violent Rain / Brouse and Mukherjee (2023)

Climate change is contributing to the formation of darker storm clouds through several interconnected mechanisms. These mechanisms primarily involve increases in atmospheric moisture, changes in temperature patterns, and shifts in atmospheric dynamics:

1. Increased Atmospheric Moisture: Warmer temperatures due to climate change cause more water to evaporate from oceans, lakes, and other water bodies. This added moisture in the atmosphere provides more fuel for cloud formation. When this moisture condenses into clouds, it releases latent heat, which can further enhance storm development. The higher moisture content can lead to thicker, denser clouds that appear darker because they contain more water droplets or ice crystals.
2. Enhanced Convective Activity: Warmer surface temperatures lead to increased convection, which is the upward movement of warm, moist air. This process is fundamental to the formation of storm clouds, particularly cumulonimbus clouds, which are associated with severe weather. Enhanced convection can lead to the formation of larger and more intense storm clouds that are darker due to their increased density and depth.
3. Higher Cloud Tops: As convection becomes more intense, storm clouds can grow taller, reaching higher altitudes in the atmosphere. These high-reaching clouds can become more electrically charged, leading to more intense thunderstorms. The thickness and vertical extent of these clouds make them appear darker from the ground.
4. More Intense Storm Systems: Climate change can lead to more intense and frequent storm systems. These storms often produce larger and more numerous cloud particles, which can block more sunlight and make the clouds appear darker. Intense storms are also more likely to contain significant amounts of rain, hail, or ice, contributing to the darker appearance of the clouds.
5. Pollutants and Aerosols: Climate change can influence the concentration of pollutants and aerosols in the atmosphere. These particles can serve as cloud condensation nuclei, around which water droplets can form. An increased number of these nuclei can lead to the formation of more and smaller droplets, making clouds appear darker and thicker. Additionally, certain pollutants can absorb sunlight, further darkening the clouds.

Climate change contributes to the formation of darker storm clouds through increased atmospheric moisture, enhanced convection, higher cloud tops, more intense storm systems, and changes in atmospheric pollutants. These factors combine to create clouds that are denser, taller, and more capable of blocking sunlight, leading to their darker appearance.

From the album “Incoming” by The Beatless Sense Mongers

MegaEpix Enormous

A song about The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment

• Tornado-Superhighway.mp3
• Tornado-Superhighway.mp4

[Intro]
Time to go into a closet
To prolong burial deposit

[Verse 1]
The Central U.S.
Is a mess
Homes tossed
Lives lost

[Chorus]
Intensity
Frequency
Severity
[Bridge]
The mean storm is meaner
(Go greener)
The norm is not norm
(Too warm)

[Instrumental, Guitar Solo, Drum Fills]

[Verse 2]
Good golly
Tornado alley
A thing of the past
Now a superhighway
Humans… the causeway
(No way? Way!)

[Chorus]
Intensity
Frequency
Severity
[Bridge]
The mean storm is meaner
(Go greener)
The norm is not norm
(Too warm)

[Instrumental, Saxophone Solo, Bass]

[Bridge]
A superhighway
Humans… the causeway
(No way? Way!)
Fueling catastrophe
Why? Don’t ask me
(Why to cry)

[Instrumental, Piano]

[Chorus]
Intensity
Frequency
Severity
[Bridge]
The mean storm is meaner
(Go greener)
The norm is not norm
(Too warm)

[Outro]
A superhighway
Humans… the causeway
(No way? Way!)

A SCIENCE NOTE
May 27, 2024 — At least 19 Killed in Tornado-Spawning Storms Sweeping Central US

At least 19 people, including four children, have died in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky due to tornadoes and severe weather that swept through the central United States. The storms, along with extreme heat in some areas, continue to disrupt plans and cause power outages over the Memorial Day weekend. Millions of people are facing severe weather threats, with over 120 million at risk on Monday. The risk is concentrated along the East Coast, south of New England, where a level 2 out of 5 threat has been issued.

The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as tornadoes and severe storms, are increasingly influenced by climate change. Here are some key ways climate change impacts these events:

1. Increased Heat and Moisture: Warmer global temperatures lead to more heat and moisture in the atmosphere. This added heat and moisture can fuel more intense storms and provide the energy needed for severe weather events, including tornadoes.
2. Altered Jet Stream Patterns: Climate change can affect the behavior of the jet stream, the high-altitude winds that influence weather patterns. A more erratic jet stream can lead to more extreme weather events, such as prolonged heatwaves and severe storms.
3. Higher Sea Surface Temperatures: Warmer ocean temperatures can lead to more powerful hurricanes and tropical storms, which can bring severe weather inland and contribute to tornado formation in affected areas.
4. Increased Atmospheric Instability: Climate change can lead to greater atmospheric instability, a key factor in the development of severe weather. This instability can increase the likelihood and severity of thunderstorms, which can spawn tornadoes.
5. More Frequent Heavy Rainfall Events: Warmer air holds more moisture, leading to heavier and more frequent rainfall events. These heavy rains can accompany severe storms, increasing the potential for flooding and other weather-related disasters.
6. Longer Storm Seasons: Climate change can extend the duration of storm seasons, increasing the window of time during which severe weather can occur.

While the direct link between climate change and specific tornado events is complex and still under study, the overall trend suggests that climate change is likely to contribute to more frequent and intense extreme weather events.

From the album “Incoming” by The Beatless Sense Mongers

MegaEpix Enormous

A song about The Human Induced Climate Change Experiment