Is It Getting Warmer?

CNN - December 16, 2008

This story about the rapid melting of ice in the major cold areas of the world (Greenland, Antarctica, and Alaska) needs to cause everyone concern.  While the story doesn’t convincingly discuss the causality of the situation, it does point out that increased melting accelerates the planets warming due to loss of reflectivity of the “white” ice.

The article goes on to point out the increase of pine beetles which is theorized to be attributed to a warmer environment.  It even goes so far as to predict the increase in sea level (ala Al Gore) by the end of the century based on this loss of ice.

No Comments »
Filed under: Getting warmer

Just a quick note to all my old readers.  I took a break from this blog during the presidential election since I didn’t want to play partisan politics between the two candidates.  Global warming is a scientific discussion with significant political overtones (that are not always rational).  I was having strong urges to immerse myself in condemning various candidates for stupid statements.  I suppressed this urge for awhile but felt that taking a break was a better alternative.

After the long gap, I needed an “event” to kickoff again.  That event was the first weekend of the New Year.  I hope all that read this blog enjoy a wonderful 2009.

Popularity: 1% [?]

1 Comment »
Filed under: Uncategorized

USA Today - August 25, 2008

Regardless of your thoughts on global warming, government waste and inefficiencies are something that most of us can agree on. To have alternative energy programs that are on or off, year after year, is simply a waste.  I understand the need to have finite limits to programs (except Social Security never seems to end) but they shouldn’t just stop.

Instead the programs should be weaned off of government assisted life support so that the economy can adjust.  Having these alternative forms of energy production suddenly cut off forces other programs to never start since the investors can’t be assured of a long and viable future.

2 Comments »
Filed under: Politics, Technology

I had a conversation with a co-worker the other day about global warming.  Not surprisingly, I get into this conversation a lot.  I made mention that a significant minority of the data that is used to decipher our warming is actually modified or estimated.  My co-worker was shocked at this so I wanted to share it with my readers.

The best analysis of this process that I have seen is written by Steve McIntyre over at Climate Audit in two separate discussions.  From February 9th:

Unfortunately, the previous year’s December temperature is not included in the first year of a scribal record, so it must be estimated. And because December must be estimated, the resulting DJF is an estimate, as is the resulting annual temperature.

No Comments »
Filed under: Weather science

I have often complained that carbon offset credits just don’t make sense.  I don’t think that they will do anything to create better behavior and think it is simply a shell game that will only end up lining someone’s pockets.

But I appear to be in the minority in this view.  So I ask those that disagree with me isn’t what is good for the goose good for the gander as well?  I just found this website:

CheatNeutral

What is Cheat Offsetting?

When you cheat on your partner you add to the heartbreak, pain and jealousy in the atmosphere.

Cheatneutral offsets your cheating by funding someone else to be faithful and NOT cheat. This neutralises the pain and unhappy emotion and leaves you with a clear conscience.

6 Comments »
Filed under: Greenhouse gas, The ridiculous!