guys, its new years eve, the mods would like a nice rest and these things go well like a lit match in a gun powder shop. if you cant play nice then you all get a rest and a few posts missing......HAPPY NEW YEAR GENTLEMEN
Melbourne is dumping 14 tons of gunpowder in the air... and nobody is complaining ... and all in the name of out doing skidney Burn baby burn...
the Vostok ice core data point to the real nature of the problem - the CO2 level in the past ~1/2 million years has bounced about in the region between about 180 and 300ppm.
Not any more - we have now pushed it past 400ppm and it is still rising rapidly. This is uncharted territory and we are running an uncontrolled experiment with our only life support system. Modified graph shows where we are now.
Melbourne is dumping 14 tons of gunpowder in the air... and nobody is complaining ... and all in the name of out doing skidney Burn baby burn...
Only 14 tons once a year?
Cars in cities and coal fired power stations are far worse: the same amount of NOx and particulate matter every day ! And nobody cares.
It really doesn't matter to me how hot the climate is getting, I've got 15 years at the most before I'm burnt to add to the co2 in the atmosphere; my children well maybe. My grand children that's another story they will be affected and there's no argument about that.
Does anyone have a plan as to how the problem can be fixed?
Bird flu mutates and affects humans.
Nothing will happen until population growth is stopped and then reversed to a sustainable level. Nothing "controlled by humans" will achieve that now, so it will be up to mother nature.
Don't think that there are many meaningful plans Alex, but good things are happening in spite of the best efforts of the old guard and the total failure of many governments to provide consistent leadership.
Money talks and solar and wind power have recently become more cost effective than new fossil fuel power. Transport systems based on electric vehicles are rapidly becoming more than competitive. Efficient housing is affordable and conservative agricultural practices are demonstrably cost effective. What would have been unthinkable pipe dreaming not too long ago is rapidly becoming "no brainer" country. The biggest impediment to our grandkids' futures will be the current withdrawal of the US from the civilised world.
the Vostok ice core data point to the real nature of the problem - the CO2 level in the past ~1/2 million years has bounced about in the region between about 180 and 300ppm.
Not any more - we have now pushed it past 400ppm and it is still rising rapidly. This is uncharted territory and we are running an uncontrolled experiment with our only life support system. Modified graph shows where we are now.
The thing that talks to me about this graph is that CO2 and temperature are linked in this data (IMO). Whether temperature is the 'horse' or the 'cart' can be argued - however (from the data presented) they are linked IMO. The other thing that pops out for me is that the transition to warmer levels from the ice-ages has a fast rise-time, while the drift into ice-ages is a slower decline with a looser linking between CO2 and temperature.
But the part that really gets my attention is that the onset of ice-ages seems to be held off by a lagging high CO2 level. If you compare the fall of temperature in the last ice-age to previous ones you can see that there is a correlation between continuing high CO2 levels and a slower decline in temperature. The graph suggests that the current warm period should be in decline about now, but temperatures seems to be bobbing along. The difference is that now human activity has sent CO2 upwards independent of previous drivers - if CO2 was the 'cart' it has now broken free from the 'horse'. The consequences of that are unknown. It would unwise not to be concerned. My uneducated guess is that it just possible that AGW will be somewhat mitigated by the next cooling period and consequently the argument about AGW will run on for decades. On the upside it might give the human race time to adapt to a low emission future.
Solar makes economic sense.
If all houses had a couple of panels for electricity and a couple to heat water the power bills would be less.
Anyways things will work out.
Man either fixes the problem or nature hits back.
Alex
There was nothing wrong with the "pink bats" program, I got insulation in my roof through the program. The problem was greedy installers not training their staff on safely working in the roof cavity, and in the case of QLD the lax building standards regarding the placement of wiring in the roof cavity (out of site out of mind).
I think the next program should be subsidized power walls to get houses of grid.
In the longer term I think science will find a solution and if there can be money made the process will happen much faster. This looks interesting https://www.sciencedaily.com/release...0804171642.htm
Insulation is a help as presumably one needs less energy to maintain a satisfactory temperature of in a building.
Getting folk over to solar hot water would be a great way to save energy.
Banning fridges in the work place a good idea.
Banning racing.
But the reality power suppliers dont want to supply less they want to sell more.
And for most folk actually doing something is sortta like contributing to the starving of the world...Oh I am very concerned.... pass the roast beef and gravy.
Stop racing or the burn out at summer nats...you must be joking that is only a small contribution and because you threaten to take away my enjoyment I now think the whole thing is nonsence.
Ban fireworks heck no...but every bit helps...maybe but dont ever suggest fireworks are not necessary.
And it is nonsence to believe anything will be done.
Check out Al Gores house, cars and general energy consumption.
Dont do as I do do as I say...and its not about the money or that my investements will take off if you buy my ideas.
Shake hands count your fingers.
But Al is an excellent example of why nothing will get done unless big money changes hands, which has nothing to do with helping it is just about money but if something good comes of it folk will claim it was their desire to contribute and the money...dont mention money this is not about money we are heros dont you know.
Sure and the fantasy unfolds.
Then lurking in the background is the nuclear power solution...they remind me of a drug pusher promising that smack or ice will make everything better but neglecting to present any downside or help you determine the realality of ongoing cost.
Accidents!!! No that was in the past accidents dont happen these days if you think other wise you are an alarmist...gee I guess NP is the only answer, to whom do I write the check?
Trust me the man with his finger on the button may be our best hope.
Alex
... and all in the name of out doing skidney 
Burn baby burn... 
