IT’S TODAY: We didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when we got
this “media advisory” about Punxsutawney Phil’s reputed
prognostication ability as it applies to global warming.

Dr. Doug Inkley, wildlife biologist with the National Wildlife
Federation, has been pondering Phil’s forecasting track record. The
verdict?

Punxsutawney Phil may be smarter than we’ve given him credit
for. In addition to checking out his shadow to forecast the end of
winter, he has been ahead of the curve in predicting global
warming.

Inkley found that in the first 75 years of the 20th century,
Phil cast no shadow only four times, which according to folklore
meant an early end to winter. But in just the last 25 years of the
century, Phil cast no shadow fully eight times, alerting us that
winter was coming to an early end, a six-fold increase!

The National Wildlife Federation noted that although Phil’s
forecasting can’t be considered credible, the real science from
many fields of scientific inquiry demonstrates that rapid climate
change from global warming pollution is overwhelming.

The resulting impacts on wildlife are sobering from drowning
polar bears in the Arctic to imperiled coral reefs in the world’s
oceans.

The United Nations is releasing a report on Groundhog Day in
which scientists from around the world concur that global warming
is an urgent threat that must be dealt with.

Dr. Inkley says, “Wildlife are often the first to feel the
effects of climatic changes.”

With tongue-in-cheek, he adds, “Phil would probably be the first
to agree that our country needs to develop solutions to global
warming fast. Otherwise he’ll be forced to pull up stakes, move
north to New York and change his name to Buffalo Bill.”

Expect to hear more from Dr. Inkley on this subject. He’s
expected to be on hand today in Punxsy to “greet Phil” and be
available for interviews. Let us know if you want to talk to him;
he left his cell phone number.

GAS PAIN: Barb Smith, just returning from a trip South, reported
Wednesday the lowest gas price logged on the journey was $1.87 in
Wytheville, Va. In Jackson, Miss., it was $1.94. What was it in
Bradford? On Wednesday, a quick check showed gas going for about
$2.26.

TODAY’S QUOTE: “Journalism and democracy are names for the same
thing,” said James Carey, former professor, Columbia University,
Graduate School of Journalism.