Comments on: Global-Warming Update

By: Mike Barwise

Mike Barwise — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 21:38:43 +0000

As one who has studied climate change, I should point out that the term “global warming” is potentially misleading to the uninitiated with reference to weather (short term effects) as opposed to climate (long term effects). The more likely reality is that the Northern hemisphere is entering a period of less predictable weather that may be superimposed on a long term (hundreds of years) trend towards warming. This is a cyclic phenomenon and has indeed happened in the quite recent past (not least between the end of the 1100s and circa 1492). But it is impossible to be certain to what extent the current change is anthropogenically driven. Nevertheless we should take steps to be less profligate in our energy conversion – even if it makes no difference to the weather.

By: Mark Wilkinson

Mark Wilkinson — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 00:44:01 +0000

Some say the world will end in fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I've tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To know that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
Robert Frost (1874—1963)

[How lovely--and from a biologist. Thanks]

By: Fred Mangels

Fred Mangels — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 02:06:29 +0000

Oh, and that’s assuming that the supposed warming trend is caused by human activity.

By: Fred Mangels

Fred Mangels — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 02:05:27 +0000

James wrote “Of course if it is man made then the United States is the obvious culprit…”. [Huggs was being cynical]

Except the U.S. air has been generally getting cleaner. Air from other countries, like India and China, is getting dirtier.

Let’s not blame this SUPPOSED warming on the U.S.

By: Lester Hunt

Lester Hunt — Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:39:41 +0000

“And those of you who read this space will reply Ã la Mercer (channeling Karl Popper):…”

I’m so glad to see someone making “the Popperian point,” as I like to think of it, about global warming: a theory that is confirmed no matter what happens is a theory with no real content.

By: james huggins

james huggins — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 15:30:16 +0000

Something is going on with the world’s weather but who really knows what it is. The perma frost is melting, warmer temps etc. Scientists tell us that over the millenia the temperature has chilled down, warmed up and all combinations of the two. I’m no scientist but I have to see some proof from somebody other than the usual gaggle of loud-mouthed, leftist fruitloops that this temperature change is man-made. Of course if it is man made then the United States is the obvious culprit and we should atone by reducing our standard of living back to he late stone age, donating all of our money to third world dictaterships and letting the UN run our country.

Global warming? Horse feathers..

By: Fred Mangels

Fred Mangels — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 14:34:37 +0000

You wrote, “It even snowed on the Oregon coast—a first, if I am to believe the reports.”.

I don’t know about that, Ilana. I’m sure it’s snowed on the Oregon Coast before. I live on the coast of Northern California about 90 miles south of Oregon.

It’s snowed on the coast here before and did just the other day. It doesn’t last long and melts pretty quick, but it does snow on rare occasions.

By: Bob Johnson

Bob Johnson — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 14:23:02 +0000

From around 150,000 to 130,000 years ago, North America experienced colder and generally more arid than present conditions. About 130,000 years ago, a warm phase slightly moister than the present began, and conditions at least as warm as the present lasted until about 115,000 years ago. Subsequent cooling and drying of the climate led to a cold, arid maximum about 70,000 years ago, followed by a slight moderation of climate with a second aridity maximum around 22,000-13,000 14C years ago. Conditions then quickly became warmer and moister, though with an interruption by cold and aridity in many areas around 11,000 14C years ago.

ref:http://www.esd.ornl.gov/projects/qen/nercNORTHAMERICA.html

I wonder how MAN (How many there Even where in NORTH AMERICA?) caused the earth to warm??

Yes the earth is warming…… but Is MAN the cause or are there celestial forces we no nothing about at work here?