Blog Action Day 2009: Climate Change

Todd Hoff [2009-10-15 12:25 PM]

It's not a very convincing argument. It doesn't really change how people behave, just how they notionally believe. I have a feeling neither Gaia or God will accept such half measures.

bobbrew [2009-10-15 01:17 PM]

It is the height of unscientifically educated arrogance to believe global warming or cooling can be significantly impacted by altering anthropogenic inputs to the environment. While efforts to reduce those imputs would be beneficial aand should be pursued, the costs to do so should be moderate. Cap and Trade will dwarf those costs and should be avoided! The most economical and effective way to reduce emissions and generate the power we need is nuclear. Now, let the unscientific among you start the over blown nuclear waste argument.

Frank Ch. Eigler [2009-10-15 01:43 PM]

If only all the energy spent on "blog action" could result in some heat to take this early snow away.

Special K [2009-10-15 05:34 PM]

Once the deep mystery of “climate change” has been solved
And “What’s green and causes CC?” is no longer a popular riddle,
The legacy of the era most likely will be:
“Never in recorded history have so many made so much over so little”.
(With apologies to the late, great Winston Churchill).

Chinese Translator [2009-10-15 07:38 PM]

Two storms hit us two weeks ago, the effect to us was devastating. Until now, we're sweeping the streets from mud and the tons of ruined appliances destroyed by the twin-storm. Some are still flooded, many are left homeless and some lost their loved ones. They are seeing four more storms coming this year. This is not usual. News said its all because of global warming/climate change. I use to be blithely about the issue, but after these storms, I thought to myself I need to do something too. I think to solve the global warming problem, it must be stormed at the national and international levels.But the total success is built upon the action of every individual, regardless of nationality, to conserve energy and focused on living in a greener, cleaner community. Thank you for this post. Happy Blog Action Day! :-)

40 Shades of Green [2009-10-16 02:40 AM]

How many years of no warming (ie flat temperature trends as measured by the satellites) would it take to convince you that it is not happening.

Currently we are at 11 years. If 11 years is not enough, how many is? Fifteen, twenty, Thirty, Fifty?

Aizen [2009-10-16 10:21 AM]

For anyone who doubts climate change please read my blog action day post
Responses to questions and objections on climate change. It's a good place to send your skeptical friends and colleagues — at least as a starting point for whetting their intellectual appetite to learn more (or, as a quick answer to blog comments).

Steve Easterbrook [2009-10-30 12:10 PM]

Aizen, that's a great post! John Mashey has also been putting together a list of common myths:
http://www.skepticalscience.com/argument.php

But we really need to get beyond these tiresome arguments about whether climate change is real, and get on and develop the solutions. Tim, are you involved in the Random Hacks of Kindness event planned for COP15? (http://snipurl.com/sxtpk). If not, you should be!

SAAW International [2009-11-04 11:43 PM]

In the run up to the Copenhagen climate change conference, it is vital the following information be disseminated to the public as well as to our political leaders.

A widely cited 2006 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, Livestock's Long Shadow, estimates that 18 percent of annual worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are attributable to livestock….however recent analysis by Goodland and Anhang co-authors of "Livestock and Climate Change" in the latest issue of World Watch magazine found that livestock and their byproducts actually account for at least 32.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year, or 51 percent of annual worldwide GHG emissions!

www.51percent.org

The main sources of GHGs from animal agriculture are: (1) Deforestation of the rainforests to grow feed for livestock. (2) Methane from manure waste. – Methane is 72 times more potent as a global warming gas than CO2 (3) Refrigeration and transport of meat around the world. (4) Raising, processing and slaughtering of the animal.

Meat production also uses a massive amount of water and other resources which would be better used to feed the world’s hungry and provide water to those in need.

Based on their research, Goodland and Anhang conclude that replacing livestock products with soy-based and other alternatives would be the best strategy for reversing climate change. They say "This approach would have far more rapid effects on GHG emissions and their atmospheric concentrations-and thus on the rate the climate is warming-than actions to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy."

The fact is that we are being informed of the dangerous path we are on by depending greatly on animal flesh for human consumption. We still have the opportunity to make the most effective steps in saving ourselves and this planet. By simply choosing a plant based diet we can reduce our carbon foot print by a huge amount.

We are gambling with our lives and with those of our future generations to come. It's madness to know we are fully aware of the possible consequences but yet are failing to act.

Promoting a plant based diet to the public is would be the most effective way to curb deforestation, we hope this will be adopted as a significant measure to save the rainforests and protect the delicate ecology.

Thank you for your consideration.

Mike [2009-11-05 08:59 AM]

I am stumped by those that are convinced of even the possibility of the catastrophic global warming scenario - ie. Florida under water.

If CO2 emission from fossil fuels is the cause, why aren't those believers screaming for nuclear power all across America immediately.

It's safe, environmentally friendly, green job creating, economically viable already, and it is the only technology readily able to replace coal fired plants.

Blind, knee-jerk opposition to nuclear power makes those concerned about CO2 caused global warming look as though they have alternative motives.

Of course, the reply will be that I am a whore for the industry. Let's hear it.

Mike [2009-11-05 07:19 PM]

Tim,

I'll check out the Manifesto.

Wish Al Gore would do the same, and regret that Mr. Obama has chosen to oppose. (Speaking of Demonizers...)

duke [2009-12-17 05:33 AM]

How many years of no warming ) would it take to convince you that it is not happening.