Interesting news out of Australia today:
Australia to ban old-style light bulbs, go fluorescent
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003580453_webbulbs20.html
Australia needs to take many more measures than that (such as signing onto the Kyoto Treaty, just as the US should do), but this is a good first step. Many people will take umbrage at such seemingly "drastic" measures, but these are exactly the kinds of lifestyle changes we all need to make if humans are to have a positive impact on global warming. Consider: moving from a 125-year-old energy wasting technology, no matter how well it has served us to this point, to a newer technology that is many orders more efficient, shouldn't cause anyone any consternation at all, should it? Why would it? It's cheaper and it saves energy, reducing emissions. That's good for everyone. I am hoping that more nations and states follow suit.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Welcome!
Hello, welcome to my new blog about global warming. I plan to use this blog to discuss my thoughts on the issue of global warming and how humans are involved in its causes and solutions, and I look forward to reading your thoughts in response.
First I'd like to clear something up right off the bat, regarding what this blog is about, and what this blog is not about. First of all, this blog is not about global-warming-as-politics. This blog is about global warming science. While I agree that how we react to global warming involves political issues, global warming itself is not a political issue - it is a science and environmental issue. Global warming is real, and humans are a major culprit. I know that in the public forum, this notion causes much consternation and defensive posturing, and I used to spend copious amounts of time debating people who did not want to believe that humans play any role in the warming of this planet. Usually, the reasons given by such people tend to be political or ideological, not scientific, because there really is no scientific basis for the notion that humans don't play a role in global warming. But the science is clear, and I have come to the conclusion that there are some people who have pre-conceived positions and opinions on various matters, and that they are so married to these positions that they are unmovable no matter what evidence they are faced with. When it comes to the role that humans play in global warming, there are people who simply refuse to believe the overwhelming scientific evidence that is staring us in the face. I used to think I could help change those peoples' minds. No more - I now realize that such people will never change their minds until they want to change their minds themselves, much like the drug addict who cannot be helped until he wishes to seek help himself. To those people, I wish you all the best, and I hope you come around soon, because we sure could use your help. In the meantime, you clearly cannot be a part of the solution, so instead of wasting my time with futile arguments and debates to people who will be useless in solving the problems that face us, I would rather engage the people who are ready to make changes and address the issue head on. This is not to say I won't engage in debate with so-called "skeptics". From time to time, I will, and perhaps in the process, I can change a few minds here and there. But for the most part, the debate is already decided, and nothing I can say is going to change the reality, or whether or not anyone believes it. So, this blog will primarily address the science of global warming, the events that are taking place on this planet, and what we can do to curb the effects humans are having.
And so, with that in mind, here is a little light reading to get started with:
The Truth About Global Warming
by Seattle Times staff reporter Sandi Doughton
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002549346_globewarm11.html
I will continue to post links to articles and scientific essays that outline the evidence for the human role in global warming, and let that compose the bulk of the "debate". 'Nuff said.
That's all for now - we'll talk more soon!
First I'd like to clear something up right off the bat, regarding what this blog is about, and what this blog is not about. First of all, this blog is not about global-warming-as-politics. This blog is about global warming science. While I agree that how we react to global warming involves political issues, global warming itself is not a political issue - it is a science and environmental issue. Global warming is real, and humans are a major culprit. I know that in the public forum, this notion causes much consternation and defensive posturing, and I used to spend copious amounts of time debating people who did not want to believe that humans play any role in the warming of this planet. Usually, the reasons given by such people tend to be political or ideological, not scientific, because there really is no scientific basis for the notion that humans don't play a role in global warming. But the science is clear, and I have come to the conclusion that there are some people who have pre-conceived positions and opinions on various matters, and that they are so married to these positions that they are unmovable no matter what evidence they are faced with. When it comes to the role that humans play in global warming, there are people who simply refuse to believe the overwhelming scientific evidence that is staring us in the face. I used to think I could help change those peoples' minds. No more - I now realize that such people will never change their minds until they want to change their minds themselves, much like the drug addict who cannot be helped until he wishes to seek help himself. To those people, I wish you all the best, and I hope you come around soon, because we sure could use your help. In the meantime, you clearly cannot be a part of the solution, so instead of wasting my time with futile arguments and debates to people who will be useless in solving the problems that face us, I would rather engage the people who are ready to make changes and address the issue head on. This is not to say I won't engage in debate with so-called "skeptics". From time to time, I will, and perhaps in the process, I can change a few minds here and there. But for the most part, the debate is already decided, and nothing I can say is going to change the reality, or whether or not anyone believes it. So, this blog will primarily address the science of global warming, the events that are taking place on this planet, and what we can do to curb the effects humans are having.
And so, with that in mind, here is a little light reading to get started with:
The Truth About Global Warming
by Seattle Times staff reporter Sandi Doughton
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002549346_globewarm11.html
I will continue to post links to articles and scientific essays that outline the evidence for the human role in global warming, and let that compose the bulk of the "debate". 'Nuff said.
That's all for now - we'll talk more soon!
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