Be Part of the Science

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Toasty

Just as climate change will touch many aspects of our daily lives, the science of climate change requires a broad assemblage of the physical, biological and social sciences.  Climate change is also a global phenomena with research often requiring observations on a geographically large scale, and resources often beyond individual scientists or organizations.   Thus there are multiple opportunities for everyone to contribute to the science of climate, often as a part of a current hobby.  Two opportunities are discussed in this post, but there are many more projects where your participation would be welcomed.

Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Overview | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Be Part of the Science

Did Climate Change Cause This Storm?

Posted on February 26, 2011 by Toasty

The question “did climate change cause this unusual weather event” is frequently asked.  In almost all cases the answer is “no”!  But, if the the question is “did climate change contribute to this unusual, or extreme, weather event” the answer is often “based on intuition I would say: probably yes ”.  

Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Overview | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Did Climate Change Cause This Storm?

United States Election, 2010

Posted on November 6, 2010 by Toasty

The November 2nd “mid-term” elections for the U.S. Congress resulted in a stunning change of power and ideology that dashes any hope for U.S. action on climate change for the foreseeable future.  In fact, denial of basic science now appears to be a litmus test for U.S. political candidates.   While most attention has been focused on the national outcome, the long-term consequences of this election may be most strongly determined by the results of the local and state elections where a similar shift of ideology occurred.

Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Politics | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on United States Election, 2010

Americans Don’t Understand Climate Change: Part 3

Posted on October 22, 2010 by Toasty

In May of 2009 I wrote “Americans Don’t Agree About Climate Change” largely based on the findings of a joint Yale and George Mason Universities investigation, and in January of 2010 opined that “Americans Need a Better Understanding of Science”.  The Yale University Project on Climate Change Communication has now released their 2010 report, “Americans’ Knowledge of Climate Change”(1) which presents a slightly more optimistic view than I have previously presented.  The report shows that the majority of Americans now believe that global warming “is happening” but that there are large gaps in their knowledge. 

Continue reading →

Posted in Overview | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

A Preview of Future Weather

Posted on August 17, 2010 by Toasty

Disastrous flooding in China and Pakistan, drought in Brazil, drought and record heat in Russia, heavy floods in the American Mid-West while the East Coast bakes in record heat and is battered by violent storms, and the Arctic ice continues to melt.  Around the world, we are witnessing more volatile, violent and extreme weather, which has inflicted a high cost, both in personal suffering and economic.  The death toll from floods, fire and heat is being counted by the thousands, while hundreds of thousands have lost their homes, and their livelihoods.  The loss of rice production in the far east is staggering, the fires in Russia have reduced agricultural output by at least 25%, and springs storms reduced this year’s Canadian grain production by an estimated 35%.  This weather related loss of agricultural production result in additional personal and economic burdens.

Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Overview | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on A Preview of Future Weather

We Are Getting Close to Toast!

Posted on August 9, 2010 by Toasty

On a sister site, AreWeToast.com,  I ask:

Can mankind adapt to the changes in environment caused by global climate change?
Will mankind be wise enough to protect our planet for future generations?  Or, are we toast?

Time and experience will be required before the first question can be answered.  But, unfortunately the answer to the second question is becoming increasingly clear. 

Continue reading →

Posted in Overview, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on We Are Getting Close to Toast!

The Gulf Oil Disaster and Climate Change Have a Common Cause

Posted on June 3, 2010 by Toasty

We have reached that predictable point in the Gulf oil disaster were officialdom is exhibiting great activity in their obsession with assigning blame, or “finding the cause”.  The President has appointed a high-level commission, Congress is holding hearings and Attorneys General are investigating.  We are assured that the cause will be found, the guilty will be held accountable, heads will roll, and corrections will be made.  In the end the commissions, hearings and investigations will conclude that equipment failed, communications malfunctioned, procedures were not followed,  political pressure was put on regulators,  and inspectors were bribed.  New plans will be written, fines levied and people fired, and then with our attention span exhausted business will return to normal.  

Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Environment | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Gulf Oil Disaster and Climate Change Have a Common Cause

The solution to pollution…

Posted on May 31, 2010 by Toasty

There is an old saying that the “solution to pollution is dilution”, which is unfortunately an approach to many sources of pollution in widespread use today.  There is also the related saying, “out of sight, out of mind”.  As the the gusher of oil from the failed BP well continues unabated into the Gulf of Mexico these two sayings appear to be an apt description of the attempted control of this disaster. 

Continue reading →

Posted in Energy, Environment | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on The solution to pollution…

U.S. Senate Climate Control and Energy Bills

Posted on May 11, 2010 by Toasty

It now appears that Senators Kerry and Lieberman will release their long-awaited climate change and energy bill tomorrow.  The bill, named the “American Power Act” is reported to have been altered in response to the BP/Deepwater Horizon accident in the Gulf of Mexico by permitting neighboring states that would be “directly impacted” to veto  off-shore drilling by passing a law.  Apparently the Department of the Interior would  determine which neighboring states would be environmentally or economically impacted.  In addition states that pursue off-shore drilling would be allowed to retain 37% of the Federal royalties resulting from that drilling

Continue reading →

Posted in Energy | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on U.S. Senate Climate Control and Energy Bills

Climate Change and the Deepwater Horizon Accident

Posted on May 5, 2010 by Toasty

Climate change and oil spills, what is the connection?  Why should I discuss oil spill on an a site devoted to climate change?  The connections are real, are informative, and are important.

Continue reading →

Posted in Overview | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Climate Change and the Deepwater Horizon Accident