1. Mike Higgins | 01.14.09

Nice Theory… But As Yet, No Evidence!

It has yet to be demonstrated that the greenhouse effect is the primary driver of global warming from 1975 to 1998. The expected global warming fingerprint of this effect (increased temperatures in the lower and upper atmospheres) has yet to be found, thus relegating this theory as only speculative. In fact, this effect only appears in the climate models used by the IPCC to predict catastrophic global warming over the next century. There is no empirical evidence that proves this theory, while much evidence now exists to disprove it.

See this excellent explanation for more details:
http://scienceandpublicpolicy.org/monckton_papers/greenhouse_warming_what_greenhouse_warming_.html

In addition, new studies has demonstrated that the Earth possesses a self-regulating mechanism that has kept its average temperature within 3-4ºC over the past 10,000 years — it’s called “clouds.” It appears that, as the Earth warms, new clouds form from the increased water vapor and shield the sun’s rays, which appears to cool the Earth instead of trapping more heat, as the climate models predict. This is called a negative feedback.

Unfortunately, the climate models used to predict global warming treat clouds as a positive feedback which reinforces the otherwise minimal effect of increases in atmospheric CO2. This is one reason that the climate models have predicted consistently higher temperatures than the actual observed temperatures over the past 30 years.

Some other reasons include failing to account for the cyclical nature of the varying degree of heat radiated by the sun and the 30-year cycle of hot and cold ocean currents of both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Sunspot activity in 2008 was extremely low and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation switched to its cold mode in 2008 after operating in its warm mode for the past 30 years. It is believed that the PDO warm mode is a primary cause of the excessive summer Arctic sea ice melt in recent years. The Arctic sea ice extent has already recovered to normal winter levels in 2009.

These variables may be the reason that 2008 was the 14th COLDEST year of the past 30 years, as measured by NASA satellites, the most accurate method of measuring the average temperature of the Earth.

2. Karen H | 01.15.09

I garden in Washington State.
Last summer was cold and dreary. Today I spent cleaning up after the Christmas snow storm. My sister in Vegas has worn long underwear this winter. Relatives in Alaska are complaining of the cold.

Where’s the global warming Gore promised. Can I sue?

3. cinnamon barks | 01.15.09

Mike Higgins: Cherrypicking evidence doesn’t help your “facts” look any less ridiculous.

4. Brian | 01.15.09

As I sit here in Mn. enduring -20’s for nite-time lows, I’m reminded that we’ve oscillated hotter in summer and colder in winter. Rain patterns have become far more extreme. We may be losing the atmospheric flexibility. Ancient ice core samples tell us that in eons past, high carbon dioxide levels have coincided with hotter planetary temps. We are on a dangerous and avoidable trajectory in terms of co2. The unavoidable question is….since all carbon energy materials are finite…very finite…should we not be developing the replacement technologies and materials? If there were a even slight chance that continued use of oil and coal would trash our atmosphere, we should be alarmed enough to demand a carbon tax and cap to emissions. But the risk isn’t slight, it’s enormous, and unnecessary, and growing exponentially. If government won’t bend to the will of the people, then the people must bend their own wills and renounce all carbon energy forms. Develop your own carbon-free life-style with a host of new and old techniques. Start with your hot water, it’s the lowest hanging fruit. install a solar h2o heater. Then refrigeration. Upgrade and possible downsize. Then washer/dryer. By now you’re ready to produce your own power. Solar and/or small wind power. Your pv collectors will last an indefinite time. Most are thought to last at least 30 years. Some are still in service many years longeg. Pollution free and no fuel to buy. No need to risk anything, or argue about global warming or ice ages.

5. Mike McFadden | 01.15.09

Higgins, why do have such a problem with the theory of global warming? The earth has not experienced the sheer volume of co2 in the atmosphere since its formation several billion years ago, how can you deny that this presents a problem? Since the advent of the Industrial Revolution humankind has treated the earth as both a place of unlimited resources and as a midden field. The use at all costs and throw-away attitudes has plunged the world into a dangerous predicament that have finally become apparent to a lot of people. It seems this does not include you despite the overwhelming evidence. The suggestions for conservation of oil and for use of non-pollutant methods in all aspects of life are just plain good sense. Your vehement denial of global warming is a misplaced passion when the solutions are logical for the safety and future of our oceans, coasts, forests, water supply, air, and soil.You may pick and choose factoids to support your misplaced ideas but your inane anti-earth babbling will soon be drowned out by the majority who see the crisis for what it is.

6. Eoin | 01.15.09

Actually, the earth’s atmosphere has had in the past far higher concentrations of atmospheric CO2 than our current levels of about 385 parts per million. But this was well before human civilization arose.

Some evidence from marine sediments and fossilized plants suggests that, between 200 million and 150 million years ago, concentrations were over 3,000 parts per million. And between 600 million and 400 million years ago, some researchers say that concentrations were over 6,000 parts per million.

And you know what? It was really hot back then.

1. Cool Green Science » Cool Green Morning: Thursday, Jan. 15 | 01.15.09