Heading for a climate catastrophe
By Robert F. Boyd
The 2008 economic collapse has demonstrated how feeble our government is in solving problems. Our proverbial “kick the can down the road” policies have left us with an economic fiscal cliff. Everyone is talking about the economy as if it were the only problem facing our country and the world. What is missing from the conversation is the environmental cliff that, if left to be kicked down the road, will create an environmental disaster that will affect not only economies of the world but our very survival.
Boyd is a former professor and science writer. He lives in Daleville.
February 9, 2013 - 8:04 AM
Science fiction writer, perhaps. Another follower of the proven hoax. Mr. Boyd could be kin to Al Gore. Jig`s up, the earth will be just fine. She was here just a short while before the liberals were.
I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Boyd. The reality of climate change just doesn’t fit our business as usual agenda therefore we shoot the messenger, science, which suddenly has come to be looked upon as a fanatical arm of some political movement. One of the rationales against man made climate change is that our world is so vast that man is incapable of impacting the climate and the environment. As Mr. Diamond pointed out in his book “Collapse”, numerous cultures met their demise by abusing the environment, deforestation being one of the primary culprits. On a larger scale, is our world next?
But not only are the business interests to blame. We as mass consumers must share in the responsibility of making the hard, and not so hard, choices which can impact our environment. The media should also be held accountable. The following is an interesting article about how the media has also “kicked the can down the road”.
http://www.examiner.com/article/extra-extra-don-t-read-all-about-it
Applewood, why not enter the conversation with a fact based discussion instead of far fetched innuendo? I would enjoy discussing climate change facts with you.
#1, of course the Earth will be fine; this planet has endured far worse than what we can throw at it. However, the discussion here is about what will become of human beings; will we continue to destroy the environment that supports our ability to thrive?
Scientific fact has no reliance on political ideology. The scientific facts in support of human-created climate change are simple and straight-forward.
#4 If only were true. Anti-business, anti-individual liberty, pro-regulation/bigger government (especially more centralized bigger government) advocates are joined at the hip to “climate change” “political ideology”.
This does not make, by degree, the “scientific facts” any more, or less accurate. But to deny the political connection is disingenuous.
@5 Jim Lucas, you make it sound like the anti-business, anti-individual liberty, pro-regulation/bigger government ideas came first.
Those are actually the consequences of recognizing climate change is real and that we must all work together to reduce its effect.
In this case, the climate change “came first” with “anti-business, anti-individual liberty,”, etc. came later.
Doesn’t seem nearly so nefarious that way though.
Didn’t you guys hear? It’s no longer man made global warming. Apparently it’s the earthworm’s fault.
http://freethoughtblogs.com/zingularity/2013/02/08/only-god-and-earthworms-can-change-the-earths-climate/
…Now, let’s countdown to the spine snapping 180 degree reversal where tiny spineless Precambrian annelids are suddenly given power over nature recently reserved only for the Lordeh. So God and earthworms change the climate … but definitely not humans, it says so in the Bible, probably somewhere in the back …
You can’t be paranoid when the “Anti-business, anti-individual liberty, pro-regulation/bigger government” folks are all after you.
4….”Scientific fact has no reliance on political ideology. The scientific facts in support of human-created climate change are simple and straight-forward.”
Al Gore fan ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The facts are these: burning coal emits Carbon Dioxide. Carbon Dioxide is a “greenhouse gas” that absorbs and emits radiation in the atmosphere, thus warming the atmosphere. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the amount of coal burned has increased exponentially, thus increasing the amount of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere. What I think of Al Gore has no bearing on the laws of chemistry and physics. These laws exist whether a “liberal” purports them or a “conservative” disputes them.
If you wish to dispute any of these laws, I suggest you go back and retake a basic high school chemistry class. Oh, wait, high schools are liberal-funded socialist propaganda factories. Nevermind.
Just keep your head in the sand…until the sand gets too hot.
#10 Thanks e…finally I understand, if only I had finished high school & taken some them there classes.
Had I taken guvment I’d knows alls about the consteetution.
#10 Mr. Williams…I have searched in vain for information supporting or negating your claim; “Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the amount of coal burned has increased exponentially, thus increasing the amount of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere.”
Perhaps you can document this claim. Hint; key word, exponentially.
Did your high school teachers, teach you of the various qualities of coal & the progress gained & being gained in reducing per ratio emissions?
Finally, just what “laws” do you speak to? Mr. Williams, IMO, you illustrate my original point. Your assertions are broad & questionable….yet you make dogmatic claims ridiculing as ignorant and “blasphemous” those who disagree with your static conclusions.
No politics here….pure science. Right.
Global Warming is a theory. The earth has not warmed in the past 10 years. But Al Gore has made millions.
Check out this chart…
http://iceagenow.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Easterbrook-Natural_global_warming.jpg
We tend to think only of the US, but Moscow is having the coldest snowiest winter in 100 years.
Predictions are son general about GW that everything fits. Its more snow, less snow, more rain, less rain, more hurricanes, fewer hurricanes…get the point.
If there was GW, it may be good. Large areas of land, say in western Canada will open up to farming,
If you feel strongly about GW then lead by example and cut off your electricity (generated by coal) and stop driving your cars (contributes to CO2).
Al, that’s why its called “Climate change.” As average temperatures change (both highs and lows) it changes the general weather patterns on earth; your example of Moscow is proof of this point. And yes, you’re right! We do need to turn off or reduce or electricity consumption AND focus on alternative ways to generate electricity.
Well yes, Global Warming is a theory. Meaning “the analysis of a set of facts in their relation to one another” by scientists who study and document such things.
That does not make it a thing we can continue to ignore until it is too late.
So e wm…according to you “the amount of coal burned has increased exponentially, thus increasing the amount of Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere”. So there is more CO2 than ever in our atmosphere, therefore our planets temperature should be the hottest ever. Nope. And what happened in the 1930s to make it so hot?
Also,
“We do need to turn off or reduce or electricity consumption AND focus on alternative ways to generate electricity.” There is no “we” its you.
If you are so concerned about global warming, then stop stop being a CO2 source. Cut off your power and stop driving, no Prius either. It gets it power from coal fired power. When you guys start doing something personal about global warming, I will take notice. Al Gore still flies around in his jet.
I am comfortable with “Global Warming”. I am a Friend of Coal!
If the theory is solid, some specific prediction could be made. Instead its more/less winter, more/less summer, more/less hurricanes…
Instead its reactive…New England had a snow storm in winter…global warming…floods, must be global warming, tornado, global warming…
#16, global temperature variations have indeed been more pronounced. And I am taking steps to reduce my contribution to Carbon emissions (no, that doesn’t include driving a Prius…I ride my bike more often than I drive) and I rely on solar panels to help generate the electricity I use.
The theory is solid and specific predictions have been made and are being shown to be valid.
Have a great evening with your friend Coal.
What would make you consider that the levels of pollution matter Al?
Sandi, our levels of pollution are lower than ever. Our air and water have not been cleaner since the industrial revolution. What level o pollution would you consider acceptable?
I believe the government should maintain and give our economy a chance to recover.
e wm…please provide one of those specific predictions that we might see in our life time. Nothing like…the sea levels will rise 1 inch in 100 years.
BTW, scientists cannot tell me exactly what the temperature will be in three days to 0.2C. Why should I believe they can tell me what it will be in 100 years?
Al, I could offer specifics, but I just don’t think it would matter to you. Honestly, based on your previous posts on this issue, it seems your mind is made up that Climate Change either is false or doesn’t matter. So if I offer specifics, you’d simply find ways to attempt to dismiss, (erroneously) discredit, or reconstruct them to suit your preconceived ideas about the issue…and quite frankly, I’m not inclined to expend the energy.
I wish you well, Sir. Have an excellent evening.
e wm…You are right. I have studied the facts and watch the lies that are passed of as facts (see Inconvenient Truth) and decide Global Warming to be false. However, I am open minded and would gladly consider any information you present.
But, your response is an example of someone who has no facts to back up his assertions. You got nothing!
Turn off you light and park your car to stop global warmning.
A 2003 research paper published in the journal Science, which studied three ice core samples from Antarctica, shows that there were rising carbon dioxide levels years before there was a rise in temperature. We can argue that this is a natural process, since it was happening far before we starting driving around in our luxury sedans. Another problem is that detailed satellite images were not available until very recently. Yes, weather studies have been around since the mid 19th century, but they were not very accurate and were written observations about what people saw in their back yard. They weren’t able to measure the CO2 levels, accurately judge rising or falling sea levels, or judge the increase or decrease ice shelf. We are looking at a very small sampling or data and making a huge deal of it. The very fact that Al Gore made all this stink about it and then made millions off of selling “carbon credits” immediately discredits the notion in my book.
If only there was a way to be sure that the skeptics were the last in the lifeboats…
23 – no problem. Skeptics won’t need lifeboats. We’ll just laugh at you in your lifeboat in the middle of a parking lot waiting for the world to end while we go about our business. Probably try to gain from the situation by selling you bottled water and setting up a porta-potty for you to use. Probably sell you blankets and hand fans for use during cyclical climate changes.
Sandi…climate changers cannot tell me if it will be rising oceans or an ice age.
One genius news reporter wanted to know if an asteroid was headed toward earth because of global warming. You see people believe global warming causes everything!