Mornings

Kelsea woke me up this morning and the following conversation ensued: Kelsea: Torie won't let me take a shower and it's 7:30. Great, I'm going to be late. Dad: OK, calm down. Where is Torie right now? Kelsea: She's in the bathroom and she won't get out. Dad: What's she doing? Kelsea: She's on the toilet. Dad: Why don't you just wait until she's done? Kelsea: She says she won't get off the toilet until someone brings her some toilet paper. Dad: [reaches under my sink and pulling our a roll] I think you're answer lies in this cylindrical object. [Kelsea takes the roll and walks off] [Dad goes back to his pillow]

Does global warming exist?

Dear smart people I know, 

I had always been of the opinion that despite whether global warming exists or not, I simply didn't think it wise to risk the only Earth we have. Well, I just attended an informed lecture on climate change and thought I'd share some of what I learned with you since there appears to be so much confusion these political days, doggone it. 

See attached PowerPoint show on IPCC. (Yes, it does include corrections that were needed for the movie, Inconvenient Truth, which simply makes it more objective than non-scientist Al Gore.) 

Summary

Basically, global climate change always occurs, but there has been a sudden spike in warming that, despite all other factors, is directly attributed to human interference. If the human-caused warming spike continues, then we might not like it so much. In fact, it's likely we're all doomed. Have a nice day!

Quotes from Scientific Community

"It is unequivocal that the climate is changing, and it is very likely that this is predominantly caused by the increasing human interference with the atmosphere... Our present energy course is not sustainable." 

- Joint statement of the Academies of Science from all G8 countries

"There is adequate evidence from observations and interpretations of climate simulations to conclude that the atmosphere, ocean, and land surface are warming; that humans have significantly contributed to this change; and that further climate change will continue to have important impacts on human societies, on economies, and on wildlife through the 21st century and beyond" 

- American Meteorological Society

"If this 2 degrees C warming is to be avoided, then our net annual emissions of CO2 must be reduced by more than 50 percent within this century."

-American Institute of Physics and the American Astronomical Society

"The GSA supports the scientific conclusions that Earth's climate is changing; the climate changes are due in part to human activities... the potential implications of global climate change and the time scale over which such changes will likely occur require active, effective, long-term planning"

-Geological Society of America

"Careful and comprehensive scientific assessments have clearly demonstrated that the Earth's climate system is changing rapidly in response to growing atmospheric burdens of greenhouse gases and absorbing aerosol particles. There is very little room for doubt that observed climate trends are due to human activities. The threats are serious and action is urgently needed to mitigate the risks of climate change."

-American Chemical Society

"Global warming is one of the most serious challenges facing us today. To protect the health and economic well-being of current and future generations, we must reduce our emissions of heat-trapping gases by using technology, know-how, and practical solutions already at our disposal."

-Union of Concerned Scientists

Feel free to share with others. 

David