Ask a Climatologist

[SkyWriting]

Actually what I had in mind was more along the lines of CO2 sequestration by planting trees and promoting more grassland farming. Alternate energy sources don't really replace fossil fuels but instead account for some new energy sources coming on line (for every new solar water heater there are many more new gas and coal/electric heaters placed in service).

I also favor conservation as the very first substantial step in reducing fossil fuel use. Two major ones would be higher mileage standards for vehicles, and better insulation (and design) standards for buildings.

When I bought my apartment building I added 12 inches of insulation under the roof, and later insulated the basement walls. I have been blessed ever since with lower heat bills.

The amount of wasted heat from millions of poorly insulated buildings is staggering. There is a good place to start.

Simply enforcing the speed limit, or at least limiting the speed to 70mph on the interstate highways would save gazzillions of gallons of motor fuels, and perhaps some lives as well.

There's lots of things that can be done immediately to mitigate climate change without upsetting anyones apple cart. We just don't want to do it, and responsible folks like me and you are too few to make a difference.

All great ideas! Me from the midwest, have had a limit of 65MPH or less since roman times. Most of my life saw 55.

I suggest red yellow and green heads up display for vacuum gauges in every car. My Lancer can beat all average cars off the line, but I if I try to keep up with grandma from a redlight, I have to put effort into it. Usually I'm very laid back and I eat everyone's dust around town. But people drive like they need to empty their tank fast before gas prices go up.

If you want to save greenery, read about gold mining in Africa. They suck up mud from the river banks, mix it with Mercury in a barrel, barefoot, and move up the river bank. 90% of it illegal groups. Get people to stop buying gold jewelery.

But the biomass will grow. One research group measured a ten-fold increase in one year. It'll keep up with the CO2 and sop it like a sponge..as long as there is some left.

 

[RickG]

Try to object only to what I actually say in my post.

It's a common problem you guys all have.

Sorry, for the misunderstanding, I was not objecting to anything you said or even suggesting that you were a skeptic. I merely pointed out a common skeptic argument that was contrary to the "natural" warming trend you suggested may happen based on the graph.

BTW, my intention for starting this thread was to answer questions and exchange information, not to argue pros or cons of climate change. Thanks for reminding me.

 

[SkyWriting]

Sorry, for the misunderstanding, I was not objecting to anything you said or even suggesting that you were a skeptic. I merely pointed out a common skeptic argument that was contrary to the "natural" warming trend you suggested may happen based on the graph.

BTW, my intention for starting this thread was to answer questions and exchange information, not to argue pros or cons of climate change. Thanks for reminding me.

Then it was my mistake.

I've discovered it's difficult to control a conversation unless it's with yourself. Good luck with that goal.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

All great ideas! Me from the midwest, have had a limit of 65MPH or less since roman times. Most of my life saw 55.

I suggest red yellow and green heads up display for vacuum gauges in every car. My Lancer can beat all average cars off the line, but I if I try to keep up with grandma from a redlight, I have to put effort into it. Usually I'm very laid back and I eat everyone's dust around town. But people drive like they need to empty their tank fast before gas prices go up.

I just did a mileage check for my city driving. My Grand Marquis is rated for 17 mpg city. I turned in 19.8 mpg (I use the 'surge and coast' method), and that with a really bad episode stuck in heavy traffic. My car's highway rating is 25 mpg but I usually turn 27-28 mpg by just driving 65 mph along with some coasting whenever possible.

When I'm on the interstate there are usually a few others driving the speed limit, but yesterday, over a 200 mile trip, I was the only one driving 65 mph. Everyone else passed me.

There are two places where one can view real human nature and intelligence: The highway, and the supermarket.

We are soooooo screwed.

 

[SkyWriting]

I just did a mileage check for my city driving. My Grand Marquis is rated for 17 mpg city. I turned in 19.8 mpg (I use the 'surge and coast' method), and that with a really bad episode stuck in heavy traffic. My car's highway rating is 25 mpg but I usually turn 27-28 mpg by just driving 65 mph along with some coasting whenever possible.
When I'm on the interstate there are usually a few others driving the speed limit, but yesterday, over a 200 mile trip, I was the only one driving 65 mph. Everyone else passed me.
There are two places where one can view real human nature and intelligence: The highway, and the supermarket.
We are soooooo screwed.

It's all because we don't have enough bumper stickers anymore. People with lots of bumper stickers driver slower. With no bumper stickers people drive with complete anonymity and democrats can drive as if they were republicans and republicans as if they were democrats and all those other issues. With proper stickering people try to make a good impression for their pet causes.

I think grocery stores have improved with the self checkout lines. You know that if your line is too long it's your own fault for buying too many items or unwillingness to self check out. All our big stores have them now. Even Home Depot has them.