As a Dutch citizen (a Frisian actually, now -that's- ice skating folk for ya) I can say that the whole global warming link is just a bunch of hot air. At least for now. If you do some trend analysis on the frequency and length of winters in the Netherlands, it turns out that current data -could- still fall within normal bounds.
However, we are on a downward slope of the graph and it is a bit steeper that you'd expect, so if it turns out that it won't come up again as you'd expect, then you'd have some serious data to feed the global warming discussion.
I personally do believe global warming is a reality, but I don't base that opinion off of weak data like the recent lack of skating on canals, rivers, streams and lakes. Where people get the idea that it's just canals is beyond me. Perhaps they're confusing the Netherlands (a country) with Amsterdam (a city) as, I'm sorry to say, Americans are wont to do.
There's some real magic to ice skating on natural ice though. I highly recommend you try it if there's some serious ice out there, or at least take a hike over rivers and lakes, it's magical being out there in a transformed world, which you don't normally get to see from that side. It's not as similar to boating as you might think. Skating beats hiking for speed and freedom though. The kind of flow, speed and presence you can achieve on good skates is unlike anything. Perhaps somewhat similar to riding a motorcycle vs. driving a car.
However, we are on a downward slope of the graph and it is a bit steeper that you'd expect, so if it turns out that it won't come up again as you'd expect, then you'd have some serious data to feed the global warming discussion.
I personally do believe global warming is a reality, but I don't base that opinion off of weak data like the recent lack of skating on canals, rivers, streams and lakes. Where people get the idea that it's just canals is beyond me. Perhaps they're confusing the Netherlands (a country) with Amsterdam (a city) as, I'm sorry to say, Americans are wont to do.
There's some real magic to ice skating on natural ice though. I highly recommend you try it if there's some serious ice out there, or at least take a hike over rivers and lakes, it's magical being out there in a transformed world, which you don't normally get to see from that side. It's not as similar to boating as you might think. Skating beats hiking for speed and freedom though. The kind of flow, speed and presence you can achieve on good skates is unlike anything. Perhaps somewhat similar to riding a motorcycle vs. driving a car.