In that spirit I present this point of view from a Russian scientist, as reported in an Indian newspaper, The Hindu.
It is an opinion piece by Russian Geographer Vladimir Radyuhin and subtitled "Russian scientists deny that the Kyoto Protocol reflects a consensus view of the world scientific community."
The lede
As western nations step up pressure on India and China to curb the emission of greenhouse gases, Russian scientists reject the very idea that carbon dioxide may be responsible for global warming.This is all based on ice cores from Antarctica.
.....
“The Kyoto theorists have put the cart before the horse,” says renowned Russian geographer Andrei Kapitsa. “It is global warming that triggers higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, not the other way round.”
I leave the analysis of the article to the readers and will be standing by for broadsides.
Regards — Cliff
Now your really asking for it.
ReplyDeleteYou'll have to find someone else to give it to ya.
I think the science makes a compelling case that shows "emissions" elevated global temperature. However, there is a simpler reason why I'm for pushing back industrialism and gross consumption. One word - sustainability.
I can't say for sure what the science means and it will take decades, if not centuries, to
"know" fact from fiction.
That said, we live in a closed system. That is to say, Mother Earth, has its limits. Over population, wasteful and gratuitous consumption accompanied by the supporting industrialization, is on a collision course with the capacity of the planet to provide resources and to filter our CRAP.
We need to pull back to a modest taste of gadgets and comforts, so that we can live in a sustainable way. That also means, having babies at a replacement rate.
If this sounds like social engineering and limitation of "liberty and freedom," I'll ask about our future generations. Are we not the stewards of this planet?
Global gluttony must rate up there as a mortal sin. Let's sincerely consider curbing our appetite, so that others may prosper.
Science does not need to tell us what the right thing to do is.
Can't provide you with a broadside Cliff. However, I can make some observations that I think are germaine as a plea for rationality.
ReplyDeleteFirst and foremost, within the scientific community, there continues to be wide disagreement over the cause(s) and/or cure(s) for global warming. Algore may not have invented the Internet (but that is still open for hot debate), but he has done his part to take ONE of the theories and make it a world issue. Of course, a sympathetic and populist MSM has more than aided and abetted Algore in his quest. Nothing sells as well as fear and impending doom. Just look at the mania surrounding the movie 2012 and the other discussion circa that topic.
What could be more boring than a natural cycle of warming and cooling because of solar system and galactic interactions? What could be more disappointing than to have to admit that "we just don't know?"
Americans particularly LOVE a good crisis!! And if we find our current selections losing their persona, we will quickly find another sinister thing to become horrified over.
Second in my observations is that we really need to get over our international apologism. Our self loathing is as destructive to our culture as those things that we loath. When we have a POTUS whose initial year is characterized by literally denigrating America and Americans for being what we are and for doing what we've done, it is easy to understand that such a national attitude has become the norm. And yet, are we really the bad, bad, bad society? Are we really the village of the damned because of our "conspicuous consumption?" What about China? Russia? Europe of the past half century? Been to England lately with their particulate induced fogs? Been to France lately where even or perhaps especially in the warm months of the year, one can wipe any surface and get a black residue....and presumably it can also be found in the lungs.
And what about our food chain components? Some scientific estimates put the CO2 emissions of cattle and other farm type animals far above that produced by homo sapiens.
So, rather than have the amenities of modern life, should we begin to employ population reduction controls across the world, over and above those provided by war, disease, and famine. If a woman has 1.5 children, she is required to report to a clinic to have her uterus removed, or perhaps all men over the age of 25 must undergo an orchiectomy?
Should we get rid of the transportation capability we now have and return to horse drawn or walking modalities of getting from point A to B? And if you say that is an extremist view, what is a happy medium?
And here in America, while we flap our lips about thanks to our Greatest Generation, isn't that the same bunch of folks who pushed us into modern industrialism? So, lets make up our mind, are we grateful to them or should we throw rocks at them for screwing it all up. And should we begin writing apologies to our unborn future generation so that they can seamlessly and without any sensation guilt engage in the guilt game that THIS generation has so skillfully developed.
When will we ever learn that as Freud said, "Sometimes a cigar is JUST a cigar."
Neal
My counterpoints to Neal's parrot points.
ReplyDeleteOf course, a sympathetic and populist MSM has more than aided and abetted Algore in his quest. Feel free to poke fun at Al Gore. He couldn’t win his home state on TN in 2000, so a ribbing is in order. Odd that you should make note of the bias of the media. This is all the rage. You forgot to use the word “sheeple.”
-snip
Americans particularly LOVE a good crisis!! And if we find our current selections losing their persona, we will quickly find another sinister thing to become horrified over.
Amen, brother. Hence, a career for Dick Cheney and Karl Rove.
Second in my observations is that we really need to get over our international apologism. Our self loathing is as destructive to our culture as those things that we loath. When we have a POTUS whose initial year is characterized by literally denigrating America and Americans for being what we are and for doing what we've done, it is easy to understand that such a national attitude has become the norm.
There is nothing I can probably say that will talk you off your “Rev Wright Ledge.” Obama didn't get elected POTUS by a landslide because more folks don’t watch FOX News. Here is a recent example of what Obama considers to be American exceptionalism.
Thursday’s shooting was one of the most devastating ever committed on an American military base. And yet, even as we saw the worst of human nature on full display, we also saw the best of America. We saw soldiers and civilians alike rushing to aid fallen comrades; tearing off bullet-riddled clothes to treat the injured; using blouses as tourniquets; taking down the shooter even as they bore wounds themselves.
We saw soldiers bringing to bear on our own soil the skills they had been trained to use abroad; skills that been honed through years of determined effort for one purpose and one purpose only: to protect and defend the United States of America.
We saw the valor, selflessness, and unity of purpose that make our servicemen and women the finest fighting force on Earth; that make the United States military the best the world has ever known; and that make all of us proud to be Americans.
-snip
And what about our food chain components? Some scientific estimates put the CO2 emissions of cattle and other farm type animals far above that produced by homo sapiens.
They have this thing called a link. You should find one. I’ve heard that cow farts add up. The vegans have a solution for this. I can live with poultry, if I have to.
So, rather than have the amenities of modern life, should we begin to employ population reduction controls across the world, over and above those provided by war, disease, and famine. If a woman has 1.5 children, she is required to report to a clinic to have her uterus removed, or perhaps all men over the age of 25 must undergo an orchiectomy?
-snip
A conundrum? Population control by “war, disease, and famine” or planned parenthood. Wait. Wait. I’m thinking. This one is hard.....
And here in America, while we flap our lips about thanks to our Greatest Generation, isn't that the same bunch of folks who pushed us into modern industrialism? So, lets make up our mind, are we grateful to them or should we throw rocks at them for screwing it all up. And should we begin writing apologies to our unborn future generation so that they can seamlessly and without any sensation guilt engage in the guilt game that THIS generation has so skillfully developed.
I don't really understand what this says above, but I'm supposed to back off because telling a spoiled brat NO! is a lousy thing to do? Or is it more like, "Get off of my lawn!?"
When will we ever learn that as Freud said, "Sometimes a cigar is JUST a cigar."
Not to Bill Clinton it ain’t!
Cliff- Is it OK if I make it difficult for the teabaggers?
Jack
Jack
ReplyDeleteIt is fine if you make it interesting for those from the Tea Party side, and even better if you make it challenging. Just remember, I have years of lunches with Neal and I am well aware that he just loves to get down and wrestle the ideas.
On top of that, a blogger just loves lots of comments and the fact that a short blog post can generate such interesting discussions is wonderful. So, have at it.
Just remember, though, no picking on certain groups by inadvertently connecting them with other groups. ☺
Clear on the Left? Clear on the Right? Clear on the firing line. Commence firing.
Regards — Cliff