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 otherwise.
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 of solar energy by plant photosynthesis. Solar energy also powers the air currents that we call "wind" and plays a major role in the hydrologic cycle. The natural decay of radioactive elements in rocks, primarily uranium, thorium and probably potassium, is the major source of heat at the earth's core (geothermal energy) and the nuclear fission or fusion of highly refined (concentrated) radioactive elements provides energy for power plants and our "atomic" weapons. The force of Earth's can be converted into hydropower by harnessing running water, while the gravitational pull of the moon provides a largely unexploited source of tidal energy.
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 1990 and includes participants from 13 Federal agencies and departments plus support from major universities and organizations. The new report describes current and future impacts of climate change upon the nation, its economy and society. Continue reading
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 recent study showed that Americans are divided about the reality of global climate change with only 51% of the population believing that climate change is real and is a serious problem. Continue reading
| 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 the pollination of crops and control of pests, the introduction of new species can include pest species and can result in the spread of invasive plant seeds, spread damaging fungus and agricultural and human diseases, and alter existing predator/prey relationships. The arrival of new species can either positively or negatively impact agriculture, human health and the economy.
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 Technology (USA) Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, the MIT Integrated Global Systems Model includes economic activity and other human activities, and associated energy usage in different countries, in addition to the physical aspects of climate change utilized by other models.
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 to increase its profits by dumping their waste products in our waterways, land and air; passing on treatment, or cleanup, costs to the public. Likewise, until recently business has had little, or no, incentive to produce energy-efficient and environmentally “clean” products. As energy costs have risen, and government regulations implemented energy-efficiency is now an accepted business consideration. In response to concerns about climate change, many nations are now addressing the disposal of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by large businesses. Unfortunately many have chosen to do so by means of a “cap and trade” scheme, which the United States government is currently considering (the euphemistically named “American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009“).
A report in today’s issue of the magazine “Science” published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) provides a new prespective on the role of fire in Global Climate Change. This publication, in the most prestigious U.S. scientific journal, concludes that the effects of fire on the Earth’s ecosystems and processes, and Global Climate Change “have been underestimated” (Fire in the Earth System. Bowman et al. Science 24 April 2009: 481-484).
Least we overlook the obvious, the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow; but the demand for electrical power remains. As we rush headlong into the quest for renewable, non-polluting energy it is, perhaps, prudent to review the place of such alternative energy sources as wind and solar in the total energy system.
Release date: 04/17/2009
(Washington, D.C. – April 17, 2009) After a thorough scientific review ordered in 2007 by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a proposed finding Friday that greenhouse gases contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare.
The proposed finding, which now moves to a public comment period, identified six greenhouse gases that pose a potential threat.
