[pct-l] SFGate: Global warming stalks Yosemite..

[jdrows at comcast.net (JD Schaefer)]

Well said.
JD


Jeff Moorehead wrote:

> Lars,
> I must take major objection to your argument. My brother has given me 
> the same for years and it certainly makes for very lively vacation 
> conversation. But a response is required if in fact your point of view 
> represents even a small percentage of the non-scientist's view on this 
> matter.
>
> How long are you going to insist that humans have not plagued this 
> planet with the outlook for rapid climate change? The evidence is 
> there and it is stark. We are placing tons of additional carbon into 
> the atmosphere with the consequence for rapid climate change unlike 
> any transitions seen in the past. Read the article again. There is no 
> precedent for this rapid of warming in the earth's past. The glacial 
> cycle periods are on the order of tens of thousands of years. In my 
> mind, a comensurate comparison of anthropogenic change and natural 
> climatic cycles is not possible here. This should cause you some 
> alarm. Maybe we cannot adapt to a changing evironment no matter how 
> much technology is thrown at the problem if the change is this 
> precipitous.
>
> I just take major objection to the argument that natural processes 
> have resulted in similar consequences to the planet. Take the argument 
> that volcanoes emit tons of sulfur dioxide, methane and CO2 (all 
> greenhouse gases) so we are somehow justified in releasing our share 
> of CO2. This mollifying argument is made for the purpose of duping 
> people into believing that humans have not transcended the earth's 
> 'natural boundaries'. This is one flawed argument! Wow-- they have a 
> much more severe  greenhouse effect on Venus, so what's the problem?? 
> Last time anyone with credentials discussed the matter, there is no 
> life on Venus and currently no life on Mars.
>
> with due respect,
> Jeff
>
>
>
>
>> Granted, I am not a scientist, but I think the Earth's temp goes up 
>> and down almost like breathing.  We have had ice ages and warmer ages 
>> throughout the planet's history and now we may be finding that the 
>> same goes on other planets as well.  The Martian polar icecap has 
>> shrunk by about 4% over the past decade (I don't know if it was 
>> tracked prior to this), and to the best of anyone's knowledge, there 
>> are no Martian SUVs being blamed for this.  Rather, scientists at 
>> NASA or JPL are saying it is solar radiation causing this 
>> phenomenon.  Is it possible that solar radiation is a leading cause 
>> of our own global warming?  I am not saying that we should be 
>> oblivious to our own behavior as individuals or as a society, but if 
>> the leading cause is outside of our control, wouldn't it be wiser to 
>> spend the resources in learning to adapt to a changing environment?
>
>
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