Grim outlook if we ignore threat
HAVING a background in the field of meteorology I cannot let the letter concerning global warming (Viewpoint, July 13) go by without response.
The recent fall in global temperature he/she talks of is from a peak in 1998 which coincided with a powerful El Nino event (very warm pacific surface sea temperatures). Drawing a graph from 1998 to now does not encompass global warming changes that happen over decades/centuries.
A dip in global temperatures will still happen at times, as will the occasional cold winter in these isles, such as the one just passed. Elsewhere, other normally cold climes had a mild winter. Canada had temperatures 4C above normal, with the arctic warmer too.
Actually, latest data shows the Jan-June period this year was the warmest on record.
Considering such a statement as "As I sat freezing, I wondered why we were fighting global warming. Surely it would be better to be warmer in winter and thus save energy" and "The Labour government, on a day when it was snowing, passed the climate change act …", it takes a particularly unscientific mind to judge such life changing events in the light of cold/snowy weather outside the window, to say nothing of the ignorance of how calamitous the consequences of global warming could be – drought, floods, famine, rising seas and major disruption of humanity.
Finally, does not the evidence of your own eyes not tell you something is amiss? The advance of spring by the best part of two weeks over the last 30 years, invading insects/flora from warmer climes – and abroad, as well as thinning arctic ice and melting glaciers.
The scientific consensus is that CO2 caused by man is the likely cause and surely the precautionary principle rules here, the consequences being so dire for future generations should we do nothing.
Name and address supplied.
31 Comments
View all
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Monday, July 26 2010, 10:13PM
“There is no "compromise",Wot. None whatsoever. Future generations are relying on us. To be more interesting you might use the Old English,hwaet. It is roughly pronounced the same,and means the same. It just looks much better than "Wot" in my opinion. And stop being grumpy......”
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Monday, July 26 2010, 9:49PM
“Wot. Just to let you know. Whoopie ! Another irritated,right wing,flat earth type. The futures bright. The future is green. Try sticking your head in the sand. Not too far,because that twaddle might pollute things.....”
by What?, Gy
Monday, July 26 2010, 3:56PM
“I think we could try:
Calcining
Chlorination
Vacuum distillation
Film drying
oh Extrusion
Micronising
Maceration
Pulverising
Acid Etching
Oxidation
Electrolysis
Dry Freezing
Cosseting
Frying
....Why am I more 'flat earth' than you Neil? Your views are way more extreme and uncompromising than mine! I don't know what the answer is and am looking to find out and want the scientists to find out the truth. You however have already made up your 3 failed career intellect to decide the answer and that is that.
*If I am 'flat earth', then it is you who are grading and steam rollering it!!!*”
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Sunday, July 25 2010, 11:35AM
“As my playing footie days are long past. How could engineering solve my (lack of dribbling) football skills,Pensioner?”
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Saturday, July 24 2010, 9:31AM
“Tut,tut grumpy pensioner. I don't "dribble". Does the odd sneeze count?”
by Pensioner, Immingham
Saturday, July 24 2010, 1:22AM
“As an engineer, not a psychiatrist, can someone help Neil in his diatribic correctional needs.
I do have an engineering solution to his dribble, but fear the legal consequences!”
by Pensioner, Immingham
Saturday, July 24 2010, 1:16AM
“Millennium bug, global warming, wind energy, bio-mass, NOx reduction etc, just a few fiscal draining systems paid for by the many to enrich the lives of the elite few. Invent or exaggerate a problem and get the taxpayer to fund countless away days for ministers and their vast entourages travelling the world in the seeking of solutions.
Green eco-friendly wind power......get the masses to pay highly inflated energy bills and cause pollution by building more fossil fuelled power stations, running uneconomically, to back up the folly of intermittent wind turbines.......how many billions has that cost us to cause more pollution.
I am sure human activity does affect the world's atmospheric composition and strain the Gaia correction, but as others have said, our world has suffered changes well before we strutted around.
The unpronounceable Icelandic volcano episode recently had little to do with humans..........and if the predicted bigger eruption takes place, again we have no influence on either the cause or the resultant disaster.
How long before someone dreams up a volcano contingency distaster tax fund.......obviously needing world trips to distant volcano's and seminars!”
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Friday, July 23 2010, 11:28PM
“Wots Facebook? I have heard of twitter. Anyway. What is wrong with Jo and I having huge fallouts on my local papers website? We beg to differ. And as for anyone expecting me to remain on topic. I will reiterate. Absolutely no chance. So there.”
by Twitter, Cyberspace
Friday, July 23 2010, 7:47PM
“JO, Neil, THIS IS NOT FACEBOOK!”
by Neil, Cleethorpes
Friday, July 23 2010, 11:47AM
“Stop using my secrets,Jo. I swap and change personalities due to circumstances. If one does not work,I swap into number two. When seriously "stuck"? I am your man. You met "plan Z" guy. Me? After that,I "cheat" and use Greek. Alpha,Beta,Gamma,Delta...It looks Greek. Might be wrong though.....”