Quote:
Originally Posted by chipj29
No carbon credits for YOU!  |
Darn. I was just going to make some old-fashioned copies.
Actually, I am pretty careful to avoid stating my opinions in a scientific post. I try to publicize both sides of any scientific debate. If one side gets more press, I talk about it less because I don't need to waste my time telling people things they probably hear every day. Personally, I have committed to neither side of AGW because I am commenting on an area of science in which nothing has been proven in favor of either side.
As "one guy" who's far from researcher-level, I don't have the authority to say whether or not AGW is happening. I can only comment on the science I read from both sides (I try to weed out anything that seems politically motivated and stick with science only, if I can.) Right now the "anti-AGW" thoughts are making more sense to me as I compare what they're saying to what I've been seeing on the world's weathermaps. I have supported AGW before, and then I heard sensible arguments from the theory's opponents. My scientific opinion would switch back, if for some reason the AGW theory starts making more sense than what I'm seeing now. I continue to weigh both sides as I watch the weathermaps.
As I've asked before: Do we really need "climate change" to convince each other to stop air pollution, or can we start saying, "clean up this air because lung disease is very hard on patients and their families, and drives up the cost of healthcare for the rest of us."
And for today:
At 5 pm the lowest elevations and river valleys of New Hampshire and Massachusetts were in the lower 90s. Elsewhere temperatures were generally in the mid-80s. Radar indicates a solid line of showers advancing from New York state. This is associated with the leading edge of cooler air, and it will bring our temps back to normal for late April. At the end of the week, rain is expected.
Fire weather: The strong wind combined with the heat and lack of humidity has made conditions favorable for rapid wildfire growth. Even a cigarette could ignite a damaging wildfire today.
Of interest: The temps are in the 90s only where the wind (from the west) is able to descend in elevation, to a river valley or to the coast. If you took chemistry class and remember anything from it, you may recall that gasses heat up as they experience sudden pressure increases. Lower altitudes have higher pressure, so the warm air is becoming hot air thanks to being rapidly carried "downhill" by strong wind.
Also of interest: There is still plenty of winter air left around the continent. Winter weather now covers an area the size of New England in the northern Rockies. There are blizzard warnings for parts of Montana. Hot in the east, but cold in the west, and the cold air is advancing -- that means battles will be taking place wherever the warm and cold air clash. When that happens, you will hear reports of severe weather including tornadoes, and it will only be a matter of time before the battle zone sets up over New England this season.