paxx -

While it could be considered a good idea to attempt to address the issue of global warming, as presented by the proponents of kyoto, there is no evidence that the proposed cure is or would be effective and would not be more harmful than what you're trying to cure. To use your example of the cliff, it would be like suggesting that you shoot yourself in the head in order to keep yourself from going over the edge.

Before we can effectively address the issue of possible global warming, we need to make certain that we clearly identify what is being caused by manmade events, and what is part of a natural cycle of climate change. And once we have actually identify the human component of the issue, we need to make sure that what we do will actually ameliorate the problem, without causing a greater one in its stead.

Additionally, any proper mechanism to address that human effect would have to be applied EQUALLY to every country and industry in the world, NO EXCEPTIONS. If the honest goal is to address human caused climactic change, any proposed solution MUST apply equally to all participants. Anything else is intellectual dishonesty.

You can make the argument that the US uses more energy than other countries, but there is also evidence that the US produces less net CO2 emmissions per joule than the developing countries that the proposed exceptions favor, primarily due to more efficient production and use, and also due to continued reforestation, which provides a carbon sink that absorbs much of the emitted CO2.

I firmly believe that there are human caused effects on our environment and climate, but most of the currently proposed cures are the environmental equivalent of prescribing chemotherapy to treat a cold.
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Most people think history began the day they were born. Basing a claim of global climactic change on recent events (one or two hundred years) is irresponsible given the age of the earth.

If people wish to bury their heads in the sand and pretend the problem doesn't exist they are free to do so. Here are a few sites to read for those who would like to know more about global warming:-

http://www.climatehotmap.org/
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html
http://www4.nas.edu/onpi/webextra.nsf/web/climate?OpenDocument
http://www.newscientist.com/hottopics/climate/

Governments, 'experts' and others can manipulate any data to suit their purpose. Nature does not recognise such manipulations. Nature follows it's own course.

I have been keeping weather records for 30 years. Average winter temperatures for the first 15 years of that follow closely the long term average (since 1850) for my area. Average winter temperatures for the last 15 years are 2°C warmer - a startling increase. Only last year we saw temperatures of 18°C in February - 12°C above normal. Remarkable. So are the frequent autumn storms we have now and the flooding which accompanies that. We now have long sunny dry warm summers - everyone here thinks that bit's great. Sad.

It's like the old saying: if you put a frog in a pot of boiling water it will jump out, put it in a cold pot and slowly turn the heat up the frog will cook. We have a lot of people stood ankle deep in warm water saying how great it feels and a little bit more heat wouldn't be a problem. Wake up...

I don't think I'm burying my head in the sand with regard to this issue, but with so many different arguments coming from all sides, I'm not prepared to cast a vote one way or the other. The only historically proven fact that we have available is that the earth has suffered massive climate changes during its time, and will continue to do so. To believe that what we experienced 10 years ago or 20 years ago or 50 years ago ad infinitum is the "norm" is to subscribe to idiocy. All we need is another large meteorite to impact tomorrow & it will be "Hellooo Iceage" all over again, or pehaps a huge volcanic eruption to plunge us into six years of darkness? The human race survived both previously, without technology to help them.

OOps! I BBQed tonight...my bad

Yeah, What karmegeddon said! Oh, and btw the bbq party is at my house.

Doreen brings the sodas & chips to China's

Well... what the heck I'll clamb out on that limb....

Someone hand me that chain saw please?
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Global Warming and the destruction of livable habitat = Hard 100% Scientific Proof or it is not real

God of/and/or any Religion the salvation of their followers = Books of Fable, hear say, rumor, innuendo's and hopeful/fearful thinking and it without question 100% reality and if you do not believe your damned to Hell.


mind boggling...