Observing a Warming Earth

It seems that the idea of climate change used to be an intellectual
curiosity and yet another worrisome warning from people you wouldn’t
invite to parties.  However, in the span of just a few years, there has
been a dramatic shift in how people perceive climate change in North
America.

It may be disappearing polar bears or killer bees, but the wacky weather
that is now apparent to so many has been on the mind of climate
researchers for over a century.

While searching for the cause of ice ages, it was discovered that the
climate seemed to warm whenever carbon dioxide levels reached a critical
point.  Therefore, it was reasoned, the burning of coal could one day
cause the atmosphere to heat up too much.

When this was first proposed in the late 17th century, it was thought it
could take 500 years or more for such levels to be reached.  Had the
consumption of petroleum not become so widespread, that might have been
true, but in less than half that time, the Earth as far exceeded the
carbon dioxide concentrations that it were theorized would case the
opposite of an ice age to occur.

Technorati Tags: carbon dioxide concentrations, climate change, warming earth

Unique Ways to Cope With Climate Change

Important word for the 21st century:  adaptability.  When presented with
problems that have been hereto unknown to most living people, history
might provide some clues as to how to deal with some of the unexpected
consequences of climate change.  For instance, let’s say your town is
covered in two feet of water and you have to evacuate.

Assuming you don’t have a boat, the family horse could be a valuable
second option.  Think about the following simple example.  Horses were
seen delivering refugees through the contaminated flood waters of New
Orleans after hurricane Katrina.

Other old ways may also become new again.  Travel by ship, for instance,
could become the next popular way to honeymoon among the elite, just as
it was at the turn of the 20th century.  Anything that can be used as it
was a century ago has a good chance of being powered by renewable
resources, such as animals or complicated looking hand powered tools.

Technorati Tags: adaptability, climate change, renewable resources

Twitter Updates 2008-12-20

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Future Carbon-free International Trade

When and if carbon dioxide emissions are going to be capped at levels
that will do some good and prevent further climate damage, it will put a
real thorn in the side of international trade.  This noble pursuit has
been part of human cultures since there was more than one.  However, it
has only been in the last two centuries that international trade has made
good use of cheap transport to connect the world in commerce.

If no longer using petroleum fuel, these industries will have to change
drasticly if they are to take advantage of the next trade opportunity.
It is likely, for instance, that continually fluctuating fuel costs will
mean that the majority of items transported will have to be smaller and
lighter than was a concern for much of the last century.

Merchants who find ways to use renewable resources in their operations
will find their costs increasing slower than those of the competition and
they’ll be able to deliver what should be highly coveted heavy goods from
overseas.

One thing to consider in the change to renewable energy:  air travel to
transport produce may, however, be a casualty of the 21st century. The
automobile industry gets plenty of press for producing vehicles that run
on renewable energy sources.  But, how often do we read about the airline
industry touting “green” fuel used in their airliners.  What role do the
airlines play in sustainable development.

Technorati Tags: carbon free, international trade, renewable energy, renewable resources, sustainable development