Alright, before I incense people who disagree with me into a rage due to my apparent ignorance and stupidity I'd like to say this: the Earth is warmer now than it was 25 years ago. The globe, on the whole, has warmed. The question is: "Is global warming (in its present definition) as severe as we have been lead to believe?"
Let's look at the facts: The average temperature has been climbing over during the last decade. There have been more severe hurricanes hitting our country. This winter has been one of the warmest on record. Connecticut set a record for most days where the high was above the average temperature for the month with 31 days in a row. Clearly, things are warming up.
So, what's the problem? Why this post? One who was marginally familiar with the concept of global warming would certainly point to this comfortable winter and say that this is getting serious. However, most scientists who are cautioning us regarding global warming have said that we should expect more severe winters with bigger blizzards and stronger storms. (Hey, there's an ad campaign for Dairy Queen: "combat global warming, get a blizzard!")
Once again, we have a group of people who want their DQ brownie sundae and want to eat it too! I've heard the same people who've said that global warming is going to cause some of the worst winters we've ever experienced now say that the unseasonably warm winter is due to global warming! Well, which is it? Does global warming cause wicked cold winters or crazy warm ones?
I won't ignore the fact that people who decry global warming like to exclaim through their chattering teeth "How's that global warming workin' out for ya" as their words dislodge the snot-sicles from their noses in the -18 degree wind-chill. These people are no better regarding their knowledge of the situation and should sound just as silly as the people I've mentioned above.
[Side note] I was watching a special on the Discovery Channel about a volcano that was emitting greenhouse gases. This volcano was releasing as much greenhouse gas as the top 7 cities in the US did over the course of 5 years. My point is basically only an idiot would claim that the Earth isn't warming. However, perhaps it is too soon to blame it entirely on humans. (This doesn't mean that we shouldn't work to reduce our contribution to the problem, but it's not exactly doomsday yet.)
In the meantime, I'll continue enjoying my non-global warming winter while I share with everyone that which is just my opinion.
21 comments:
I was glad to see you adding the fact that there are NATURAL forces that contribute (often much more than we do) to global warming. It is entirely ego-centric of us to think that in roughly 100 years of industrialization we have managed to have that drastic an effect on the planet. That being said, I do agree that it isn't an excuse for us to ignore our contribution to the situation.
(On a side note, I hope you and your family are well, God bless)
Marc,
Check out this article: http://www.usatoday.com/weather/climate/globalwarming/2007-02-01-ipcc-report_x.htm?csp=24
It was exciting to see you posting something about global warming! But, I must admit, it didn't seem like you really said anything -- certainly nothing to spark a debate or argument. Where's the fun in that??
So what do you and your family do to help reverse the affects of global warming? Anything? Do you really think that a volcano spewing its heat and ash and what not is a major contributor to Global warming? I'm not saying nature isn't a culprit, but I'd say a fairly small one. We HAVE had a drastic effect on the planet. Maybe it has taken longer than 100 years, but who can really argue that humans have not left their marks on the world -- good and bad?
Ah, well...that's "just my opinion" :)
14 days till pitchers assemble! Where do you think Clemens will end up this year?
Hey Marc. Been a while since I've stopped by. I'd be interested in reading your resposne to this issue:
http://sentientdevelopments.blogspot.com/2007/02/why-bc-was-right-to-seize-jehovahs.html
Chris (Abraxas)
So, have you seen An Inconvenient Truth yet?? I think it will really challenge your line of thinking. There is a lot of data and information, but it is presented in a way that not just scientists can understand. :) I have seen it only once (I asked for it & got it for Christmas!), but I really feel like I need to see it several more times to process all of the information contained in the film. There's no way that man could not have contributed to global warming. Blaming global warming on nature itself to any degree is, in just my opinion, a total joke. The debate is over. The evidence is clear. Man has caused the situation our planet is in RIGHT NOW. We have to keep educating ourselves and taking concrete steps to tread lightly on the planet.
On another note, I just came across this article. Check this out:
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines07/0201-05.htm
So, have you seen An Inconvenient Truth yet?? I think it will really challenge your line of thinking. There is a lot of data and information, but it is presented in a way that not just scientists can understand. :) I have seen it only once (I asked for it & got it for Christmas!), but I really feel like I need to see it several more times to process all of the information contained in the film. There's no way that man could not have contributed to global warming. Blaming global warming on nature itself to any degree is, in just my opinion, a total joke. The debate is over. The evidence is clear. Man has caused the situation our planet is in RIGHT NOW. We have to keep educating ourselves and taking concrete steps to tread lightly on the planet.
On another note, I just came across this article. Check this out:
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines07/0201-05.htm
Marc,
You have a lot of reading to catch up on!!! Gosh, I miss the days of daily and multiple posts/comments! Check out this (Short) article:
http://www.beliefnet.com/blogs/godspolitics/2007/02/jim-wallis-evangelical-tipping-point-on.html
Just so you know, Dr. Carlberg was one of the 30something college prez to sign that declaration. I'm with "2-10" on this that we can't blame nature for the state of the world today. Nature can repair itself naturally (ha! no pun intended) if left alone with out any contaminants. But the problem with what we do is destroy something and never give it a chance to heal itself...
Ah, you opened what should be a big topic! Where are all your usual commenters?
Hope you're well!
Jenna
Sorry for the double post... I was having trouble posting a comment. When I click "Publish Your Comment" it took me to a blank page and did not post. When I backed up to try again, the whole thing was gone. Crazy blogspot!
Yeah, how come we're not hearing from the usual peanut gallery on this issue?! Come on people, really? Do you really need sports or politics to get passionate about posting a response? And Marc... where are you? Any comments or responses to the ones thus far? Have you looked into the Evangelical Climate Initiative? What say you? Otherwise, Jenna and I will just keep posting and have our own little discussion on here and take over. Muahahahahahahaha... :P
P.S. I wanna see pics of your little boy sometime. I imagine he's sitting up, crawling, etc...how are you and the family doing in CT? Are you working? Drop me a line sometime!
Well, this is my first opinion so I will be brief. It seems that mankind has certainly strayed from a portion of our purpose. We have not cared well for the earth in our modern/post modern age. Yet we have been very fruitful. Could our current situation have been avoided, or was this all expected. It appears that the earth will naturally go through temp. cycles and we(humans) have accelerated the process. Maybe these are all signs that the end is near and the new earth will be born.
Wait a minute, is this THE jneil!?! This is shamberg! Looks like we're having a little Gordon reunion here on your global warming comment page, Marc! Let's roast some s'mores!
Bueller...Bueller...Bueller....???
Jneil!!! How great to see you here. I hope this will be the first of many comments you'll leave here (if, of course, Marc ever rises from the dead, or wherever he's disappeared to!).
A question for you: do you think since we've accelerated the natural destruction of the planet, and that the new Earth could be coming soon, that we don't have a responsibility to care for THIS earth? What if we're still 1000s and 1000s of years away from that? Would you like to do your part to bring earth back to Eden-like qualities?
Anyway -- how are you??? Do you still use a Gordon email? It certainly seems that the Buellers (and shamberg & I to an extreem extent) are taking over this blog. I hope you're well!
Marc - WHERE are you?
Working till 6:30pm, putting Isaac to bed until 7:30 (starting as soon as I get home) then spending some breif time with my lovely wife before we fall asleep. (Besides, what is there to have an opinion on right now anyway?)
Marc,
There is an article that I would love for you to read and give your opinion of. Will you email me at CBD with your email address to send it to?
So you found a job! Cool, whatcha doing? Do you have any pics you could email me? Pretty please? :D Did you know Jessie had a baby and the 'Fringers were due w/a baby at the end of January?!
Marc,
Good to know you're still out there. We miss your opinions! here are some thoughts:
respond to all of our comments on this post (okay, so 2-10 & I went a little overboard, but still...)
the presidential election race -- could Hilary win??? Or Obama? If Kenyans could vote, he'd win hand down! You'd think he was running here the way they give him press. . .
The Red Sox Spring training? How sick of Dice-K are you already?
just a few nuggets. I'm sure you could come up with someTHING to have an opinion on? There's gotta be some hot topic these days??
Anyway-I hope you're doing well? Do you have a new email address? If so, could you email it to me? I want to settle an OLD old bet with you...And, I second 2-10 in wanting another post on life with Isaac! Or pics, if you have a digital camera.
Okay-I'll leave you alone now (maybe)
Marc,
I hear you!!! Sometimes it's exhausting just keeping it all going ~ I sometimes forget there even is a news channel, except to find out what the weather will be tomorrow! Hang in there!
We love you guys!
Ahh, I envy your life. Working till 6:30, putting your little one to bed at 7:30, actually spending some time with your spouse, and going to bed at a reasonable hour. I think you're speaking a foreign language that I do not understand. Luxury, I tell ya!! :P
7:30! What luxury! Caleb doesn't stop banging on his door until half-past eight and Kara won't put the crayons down until ten o'clock!
Yeah I hear ya. I put my 2 little ones to bed every single night and the house isn't quiet until well after 10 o'clock. Then the baby wakes up 3-4 times a night and the 2 year old is up by 7:30 am. Sllep would be a definite luxury. ;)
Don't know if you all are still reading comments on this post or not, but here in Nashville we've had some fun reporting lately on Gore's personal electric bill. I'm not sure if it's been on the national news or not. Evidently, his personal residence (mansion in Bell Meade) uses over 10,000 kWh of electricity EACH month! His average electric bill is over $1,000 a month! Last night they had the actual Nashville Electric Service bills listed, just to show how much "conserving" the global warming expert is doing in HIS own home!! Apparently, his January usage matched the average customer's annual usage!
Just getting back to you jenna, I still think we have a commanded responsibility to care for this earth and all that is in it. Though I hope for a new world.
Second, it is really cool to hear everybodies thoughts after a few years, Dneil and I are doing well, no kids, living in Salem MA. Missing Marc who was just down the street until the big move to Conn.
And as far as bed times, I am getting soooo much more sleep than I did in College thanks to my lovely wife.
e-mail"jonathanneil.1727@yahoo.com"
the 1727 is from Acts 17:27.
So, any comments on the oscars, I didn't see them. See you in the next frame.
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