Global Warming... The Jury is still out
Well, I had planned to write a very different Blog today. But because of my discussion in the comments in an earlier Blog, on Global Warming, I decided to do some research on it. I am just in the beginning of this, but the major point I have seen so far is how hard it really is to obtain accurate world wide temperature averages because of the time it takes and the number of points needed to gather an accurate sampling. It gets even more difficult over time. Going back in history to find temperature trends is tough; most of the methods used have major questions.
The thermometer was invented in the early 18th Century, which is late in human history, let alone Natural History, in addition the thermometer was not widely available, even in Europe until late in the 18th Century. Therefore other methods must be used to find temperatures over the whole earth and throughout history. Tree rings is one way that this has been done. Light and dark rings form each year of a tree’s growth, the thickness of individual rings is dependant upon how fast the tree grows, which in turn is dependant on many factors, one of which is temperature. But other things affect tree growth as well, soil conditions, drought, carbon dioxide levels, so determining temperature trends by this method is by no means universally accepted even among the Global Warming Crowd.
Another thing I have discovered in my initial research is that the Kyoto Protocol (Treaty established to try and curb Global Warming) leaves out 2 of the worlds biggest contributors of greenhouse gasses, China, and India. Also the cost is so high that it could devastate the economies of most of the major countries in the world.
Now don’t get me wrong, I believe in conservation, as a Christian I believe that we should be good stewards of what God has given us. In fact my next car will most likely be a hybrid. But I also see that the jury is still out on how human activity is impacting the Environment. Much of what is publicly believed is fear mongering, and fear is never a good basis for decision making. Public policy should be made on the basis of sound science, not on the disaster de jour.
More on this later. I want to do more research.
Links:
http://www.junkscience.com/MSU_Temps/Warming_Look.htm
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blthermometer.htm
5 comments:
Hi. I ran across your blog as I was reading a comment from a person on my blog. It's nice to see blogs from clear thinking Oklahomans. I think I can learn alot from you. Excellant job!
Oh I havent done any research on Global Warming myself but I did hear a report not to long ago about it and I think it said the earth gains approximately 1 degree about every 100 hundred years or so. However that would be disputable at this point in time in Oklahoma!
There is also the fact, that between 500, and 1000. It is estimated that the average temp in Europe was abot 3 degrees warmer than today, Growing seasons were longer, and many plants and animals ranged much farther north than they do today. then there was a mini Ice age, which is blamed for the Dark Ages, and the Black plague. Winters got much colder and longer, so there is some evedence that Global warming, if it is happening could be good for the world.
Also not to long ago on the History or Discovery channel I saw a story on this and the what if's and so forth. I heard them say the earth has a way of cleansing itself every I forget how many years the last one I think was the Ice Age. With the Polar Ice caps melting, the hurricanes, this weird weather in Oklahoma, that stuff you mentioned and several other factors I have the feeling the Earth is in the beginnining stages of the "Cleanse". Which they also mentioned started this way with wicked weather everywhere first. But that also seems to have gone on for hundreds of years before the Ice Age happened. They claim Man lived through the last one. Wonder if that's such a good idea lol.
Should we worry about global warming yet?
From MSNBC
A drought in Texas and Oklahoma, one of the worst in nearly 100 years, has dried up creeks and ponds, depleted pastures, and fueled wildfires that have burned precious hay and grass.
“Any rancher or landowner out there is still losing a lot of sleep worrying about looking out the window and seeing his or his neighbor’s place on fire,” said Matt Brockman, executive vice president at the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.
The drought, combined with winds, even kicked up a mean dust storm on Jan. 1 — one that was 300 miles wide as it swept through northern Texas and into Oklahoma.
Forecaster Mike Palmerino at Meteorlogix said long-term weather models indicate rain- or snow-bearing storms could move into the drought-affected region late next week.
“There are hints that this could be the beginning of a change in pattern toward wetter conditions in the southern Plains,” said Palmerino. “We will know more in the next few days.”
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