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Barrow, AK In an Unprecedented Frost-Free Periodi
Barrow, Alaska has been free of frost for 66 consecutive days now, shattering the old record of 50 in 1979. I suppose that the scientists will want to observe whether this is a fluke or if this is a sign that the Arctic region is really warming up. I wonder if the trees such as Arctic willow, larch, and the tougher spruces are seeding farther north along the muskeg this year.
A New and Perhaps Relevant Presentation of Data
Jeff Masters of Weather Underground has put forth an essay with some information from geological data. While the climatologists have put forth their doctrine that "man-made climate change is here," lo, I believe one only gets a Ph. D. in the field if the candidate subscribes to that doctrine, the geologists have been more skeptical. Finally, an acknowledgment from another group of Ph. D. scientists. But before Big Oil, the automobile drivers, and the powerhouse operators get too complacent, likewise those who have to heat their houses breathe a sigh of relief, Jeff Masters presents data which shows the large amount of warming that took place a LONG time ago, to wit, between the Paleocene Epoch and the Eocene Epoch. The carbon dioxide levels were a LOT higher than they are now, according to the evidence the essay puts forth. What I found especially gratifying is that he put forth some numbers as to the actual mass of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the use coal, mainly for powerhouses. The essay is rather technical but I suggest those interested to read it at Weather Underground. The address is: view link
It should be up for a few days as is customary for Jeff Masters's essays.
Regardless, of whatever goes on in this continuing debate, I still feel that direct use of the sun's energy (and I'm not really talking about photovoltaic technology here) is a largely undeveloped technology that would solve the problems that burning fossil fuels poses.
It should be up for a few days as is customary for Jeff Masters's essays.
Regardless, of whatever goes on in this continuing debate, I still feel that direct use of the sun's energy (and I'm not really talking about photovoltaic technology here) is a largely undeveloped technology that would solve the problems that burning fossil fuels poses.
International volunteer tourism survey
Hi, this is Li-Ju, a PhD student in Indiana University Bloomington. I am working on my dissertation about volunteer tourism. I would like to invite experienced volunteer tourists in my online survey.
If you are willing to help, please go to the link: view link
If you know anyone who have similar experience, please feel free to distribute the survey link.
Thanks for your kindly help.
If you are willing to help, please go to the link: view link
If you know anyone who have similar experience, please feel free to distribute the survey link.
Thanks for your kindly help.
"The Great Warming" by Brian Fagen
He agrees with me: distribution of rainfall is the bugaboo. He says without a doubt the planet is warming from human activity. I've finished the book: a summary of findings showing various local climate changes between 900-1300. What was remarkable was that more proxy records (tree rings, ice and sediment cores) show really bad droughts happening in semiarid areas with nearly no areas getting increased rainfall. Where is all the water vapor condensing and falling if more is evaporating from the oceans (warmer planet more water evaporating, right?)? By the way, the author teaches at UCSB.
Interesting New Book
Dear Readers, while I was checking The Browsery at the MIT library today, I came across this new book. It may illustrate how people coped with a warming planet in the past.
The title is "The Great Warming or Climate Change and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations by Brian Fagan.
He covers the period between 800-1200 AD.
Since Arnold Toynbee discounted the importance of climate influencing civilizations, I would like to see his take on this subject.
Happy reading,
JD
The title is "The Great Warming or Climate Change and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations by Brian Fagan.
He covers the period between 800-1200 AD.
Since Arnold Toynbee discounted the importance of climate influencing civilizations, I would like to see his take on this subject.
Happy reading,
JD
A Historic Speech on Fossil Fuel Use
This may be of some relevance to educators and historians among the readers. Further, it may show others an actual occurrence of concern over fossil fuel use around 50 years ago.
Take a look, read it, and disseminate the contents as you wish:
view link
Take a look, read it, and disseminate the contents as you wish:
view link
The Need for Scientific Investigation
I'm going to take a different tack this time since I've been showing some skepticism lately. I'm coming to realize that a major technological development has probably made it possible even to broach the topic of (untoward) climate change. To wit, we now have remote sensing. Thirty years ago, we started getting enough satellites up there looking at the whole planet at once and could see, easily, for the first time, the big picture. Things like arctic and antarctic sea ice, mountaintop glaciers, and so forth were now more easily and reliably observable. Upper air research has also gained benefit from space probes over the last 50 years. We hardly knew about the Van Allen belts back then. Radiosonde observations probably don't go back much farther. And, to me, this is probably the "$64 Question": How long a period of record do we need before we can assess the true nature of climate change? Ed, I believe we agree perfectly on this, the need for solid scientific inquiry on this matter. Further, the underlying problem of fossil fuel use, is still paramount when it comes to the issue of "climate change" as this stands on its own merits. WE WILL RUN OUT OF OIL, and probably sooner than anyone would like.
Evidence like the well-documented glacial retreat in the Alps, Macquarie Island, and Alaska do show something is happening. Likewise the upward march of alpine and sub-alpine species of life in the highlands worldwide is a common observation.
This IS a big change and it does deserve the attention of the UN, and its constituent national governments. It's not only whether enough land ice would melt to affect sea levels (and lacking any offset to atmospheric moisture from evaporation), it is also about the nature of storm tracks, and whether they change enough to affect agriculture and the food supply. With the population explosion still going on (those old enough to remember when that was the BIG ecological crisis around 1960 will know), anything that takes away arable land is something to reckon with.
Evidence like the well-documented glacial retreat in the Alps, Macquarie Island, and Alaska do show something is happening. Likewise the upward march of alpine and sub-alpine species of life in the highlands worldwide is a common observation.
This IS a big change and it does deserve the attention of the UN, and its constituent national governments. It's not only whether enough land ice would melt to affect sea levels (and lacking any offset to atmospheric moisture from evaporation), it is also about the nature of storm tracks, and whether they change enough to affect agriculture and the food supply. With the population explosion still going on (those old enough to remember when that was the BIG ecological crisis around 1960 will know), anything that takes away arable land is something to reckon with.
