Gordon wrote:
hpeer wrote:
Gordon wrote:
When was the Earth hotter and what was the results? Are you talking
Dinosaur age? Just curious. It's fact, man has prospered during warm
spells.
G



While your conclusion was not my point, it is correct. Nevertheless,
human life is not going to disappear from this planet because of
global climate change. Modern humans have existed on this planet for
over 200,000 years. In all that time, do you think we have not seen
temperatures much hotter, and much colder, than we now experience?

Some areas may become less habitable. Other areas may become more
habitable. Sea levels will continue to rise (as they've been doing
for 12,000 years) and some areas will receive more rainfall while
others receive less. The error lies in thinking that the Earth must
remain changeless because we're here and we (some of us) like the
status quo. Sealevel must remain where it is because I built a house
on the beach! Help! A global catastrophe approaches!

That life which refuses to adapt gets a swimming lesson.


Gordon,

It isn't just the absolute temperature, it is also the RATE OF
CHANGE. Clearly Earth is under stress due to our population level.
The population has got to where it is only because of the Green
Revolution, which is allowed by cheap energy. The old example is
bacteria in a petri dish.

So anyway, Earth is under stress. Humans are under increasing stress.
The cheap energy is going away. Now we have to adjust to a warmer
climate in a very short time. So it is the cumulative effects.

Then, when we look back we say "Well this or that animal survived this
or that temperature/climate." However we do NOT note that not ALL
species survived. Witness the dinos.

And others argue "Humanity will survive." Quite possibly true. Maye
2-billion, maybe 1-billion, maybe 100 million. No one knows. The
transition sounds kinda bleak.

As they say in financial fields, past gains are no guarantee of future
returns.

Or, its not the fall, its the sudden stop!

Hpeer,
Recent reports show the earth has been cooling for the last several
years. (Must be true, I read it on the internet!)

Yes, you can find all sorts of reports, reports to support any position
you would like to believe. Then again, the vast majority of evidence is
that GW is real. I tend to think most climate scientists are honest
people and that if the majority can agree on something then it is pretty
likely.

The birthrate in the US (by US citizens)is not high enough to sustain
itself.

True enough. It's all those pesky immigrants that keep coming here that
are the problem. What does that have to do with GW? If you are arguing
over-population, then you are only talking about the US (and other
select well off countries) and does not reflect the situation in the
rest of the world. You hear what you wish.

The US is expected to foot the bill for the problems caused by the
rest of the world?

Oh so wrong in so many ways:
A - I never said that.
B - How did the "rest of the world" cause the GW problem? We are 5% of
population but use 25% of fossil fuels, which lead to GW. Nope, sounds
like we (Western Civilization in general) were pretty much the cause.
C - So, if the West does not take a lead in solving the problem who should?

Sorry, but as a senior citizen on a fixed retirement with my duly
elected representatives trying to takeaway my medicare which I pay for
monthly, I have no wish to solve the rest of the worlds problems by
donating (cap and trade taxes on energy) what little I take in.

These are other issues Gordon. They suck. But have nothing to do with
GW. And, you are right that there are no "cheap" solutions. Your
argument is essentially "It's not fair."

Well, is it fair to leave a screwed up world to our grand kids? We grew
up admiring the "Greatest Generation." What will our legacy be? The
"Greedy Generation?" What would your Grand Pa say about that attitude?



Gordon