Author Archives: Toasty

Americans Need a Better Understanding of Science

Posted on January 7, 2010 by Toasty

A May, 2009 post on this site presented the results of a cooperative Yale and George Mason Universities study which reported that only about 51% of Americans believe that climate change is real and a serious problem.  Other, recent polls … Continue reading →

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To really save the planet, stop going green!

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Toasty

I have written elsewhere, including this blog, about the folly of such “feel-good, green gestures” as screwing in compact fluorescent bulbs as a meaningful effort to address climate change.  While such gestures may have some value as a sensitizing tool, … Continue reading →

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Progress?

Posted on December 12, 2009 by Toasty

Twelve years ago the nations of the world met in Kyoto, Japan to chart a course of action that would reverse global warming.  187 nations ratified and signed the resulting “Kyoto Protocol”, pledging to reduce their emissions of the four … Continue reading →

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Forests: a CO2 Reservoir, not a "Sponge"!

Posted on October 15, 2009 by Toasty

Much has been made over the purported ability of forests to act as a "sponge" removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.  Politicians have jumped on this bandwagon, as have those selling and promoting so called "carbon-offsets".   However, basic biology dictates … Continue reading →

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Sun, Gravity and Rocks

Posted on August 18, 2009 by Toasty

Sun, gravity and rocks – what do they have in common?  They are the ultimate source of virtually all energy on earth.  All fossil fuels, such as coal and oil; wood; and biofuels are organic compounds resulting from the capture … Continue reading →

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New Government Report Describes U.S. Climate Change Impacts

Posted on June 16, 2009 by Toasty

The United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) released a major, new report on June 15, 2008 detailing the science and impacts of climate change on the United States. The USGCRP was established by the Global Change Research Act of … Continue reading →

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Americans Don’t Agree About Climate Change

Posted on May 27, 2009 by Toasty

While the United States makes up only about 5% of the worlds population it is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases.  While the U.S. emissions of greenhouse gases per capita are greater than for any other nation, a … Continue reading →

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Two Recent Studies Document Northward Migration of Animals

Posted on May 27, 2009 by Toasty

  Note:  An update to this topic was posted in November of 2011.   Two recent reports add to the growing evidence of animal migrations due to climate change.  While wild animals provide a number of benefits to mankind such as … Continue reading →

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MIT Research Shows Greatly Increased Odds of Climate Change

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Toasty

Recently published(1) results from the most comprehensive, predictive computer modeling show that unless rapid and drastic actions are taken, global warming over the next century will be about twice as severe as previously estimated.  Developed at the Massachusetts Institute of … Continue reading →

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Cap and Trade – An Expensive Folly?

Posted on May 22, 2009 by Toasty

World-wide, business has always tried to “externalize” their costs, whenever and wherever possible passing costs on to the public.  This has been especially true of the waste resulting from the manufacture and use of goods produced.  Business has been able … Continue reading →

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