Allow me to say with trepidation that as a newcomer I am not comfortable starting a diary so soon, and will not make this a habit for various reasons (Time is a big one!).
But since I could not find a logical topic right now for this, here it is.
Sunspot activity, which goes in 11-year cycles, has been completely dormant for weeks recently. For the non-scientists sunspots are dark, cooler areas of electromagnetic radiation on the sun's surface. Low-level activity has been associated with global cooling and ice ages.
http://www.climatescienceinternational.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=1
An excerpt from the above:
In 2005, Russian astronomer Khabibullo Abdusamatov predicted the sun would soon peak, triggering a rapid decline in world temperatures. Only last month, the view was echoed by Dr. Oleg Sorokhtin, a fellow of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. who advised the world to "stock up on fur coats." Sorokhtin, who calls man's contribution to climate change "a drop in the bucket," predicts the solar minimum to occur by the year 2040, with icy weather lasting till 2100 or beyond.
I found this from a Russian site with more comments by Abdusamatov(in English):
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20070115/59078992.html
Also see a real-time image: http://sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov/sunspots/
We expect the true believers to say it is much too early to stop the panic about global warming because much more information is needed about this! This is precisely the same argument with which they should be fish-whapped in the chops, whenever they continue to Gore us with warming agitprop.
Coming to a headline near you...
NightTwister September 2nd, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. CDT (link)
Soccer Moms Driving SUVs Cause Global Cooling!
Night Twister • Get Local: Colorado
Wocka Wocka Wocka!
Strelnikov September 2nd, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. CDT (link)
Imagine the panic if there are signs that ice mass is suddenly on the increase: we may be paying people to buy large cars to get more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere to prevent global cooling!
As of November 4, 2008, the Code Words will be: "Klaatu - Borada - Nikto!"
Climate change creates fossil fuel
woodsman September 2nd, 2008 at 9:51 a.m. CDT (link)
Good post.
The following is an interesting link that provides some additional background information on this subject also.
I have been pondering this subject for some time and came to the realization that climate change creates fossil fuel.
Disclosure: This not my area of expertise, but only a random gathering of thoughts on a subject.
Consider the examples provided by some of the current known locations of oil. Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, UAE, etc.
They consist of desert environments.
The idea of oil formation is based on biological material being deposited in layers over a long period of time. For this to occur it would seem reasonable to assert these areas would have been rich in biological material to to begin with.
Therefore, from a simple layman's perspective it begs the question; Why are these areas now deserts when many years ago they were an abundant source of living material, which was the precursor to oil formation?
Obviously, human contributions to this would have been negligible. Which implies larger forces are at work.
I submit the concept of climate change is a naturally occurring result of nature, which must be contended with. I believe it is important to distinguish between the two common descriptors, i.e., climate change versus global warming.
The rush to judgement that any of this is man made, while winning Nobel prizes and generating speaking engagements, does a large disservice to the humanity it is purported to help.
Alaska throws a wrench in your argument
Rottimer September 2nd, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. CDT (link)
Alaska, and to a lesser extent Siberia, are two lush, cold, but diversely inhabited areas that contain large petroleum reserves.
Alaska was once subtropical.
Achance September 2nd, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. CDT (link)
Dinosaur fossils are quite common on the Arctic Slope, mostly hadrosaurs.
Only some of Alaska is lush, the Southeast and, somewhat, Southcentral Coasts. The rest is either subarctic taiga with Black Spruce and Birch or tundra. The Arctic Slope is, in fact, a desert normally getting only ten inches or so of water equivalent annually, mostly as winter snow.
In Vino Veritas
Antarctica Also
Strelnikov September 2nd, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. CDT (link)
I believe geologists also classify Antarctica as a desert: I was once told by a paleontologist that a good number of fossils might be found there, if scientists could get through the ice.
As of November 4, 2008, the Code Words will be: "Klaatu - Borada - Nikto!"
I did not mean to appear to be hijacking the thread
woodsman September 2nd, 2008 at 4:28 p.m. CDT (link)
But I think you are on to something Strelnikov.
In any system of examination into cause and effects it is necessary to investigate any factor which might have a contributing effect. On such a topic as this I feel a microscopic view has been adopted in an attempt to assign these factors. Utilizing limited input parameters results in "junk in/junk out" view points and information.
Under a macroscopic scale; by looking at the larger or perhaps more significant factors it appears a more comprehensive correlation could be defined. Solar flares and sun activity to me approach the more important macro view.
The point I was trying to tie together with your post is that climate change is a similar topic to energy. By attempting to understand the cause and effects in a holistic manner we are better prepared with good data to make intelligent decisions.
If the oil producing nations that have this resource were once much different to create this form of energy, what can we expect to find in other areas that have also changed, or will as a result of climate change?
Of course, this then negates the impact of man made issues and puts it back into the realm of nature and higher powers. Which is where I think the other side has problems anyway.