Ran across an interest idea recently that, while not a happy one, seems perfectly true to me.
So, everybody agrees that climate change is here — environmentalists, politicians, scientists, oil companies, business groups, everybody except Rush Limbaugh. They also all agree that humans play a role. What’s in dispute is whether humans are the main cause of climate change and whether climate change is cause for alarm. (“What’s in dispute” is not totally fair, since it’s a very small number of scientists who say “no” to both statements disputing the findings of a very large number of scientists who say “yes” to both statements. But that very large number themselves can’t agree on a forecast, and climate change is tough to predict, so it seems fair to me to say there exists a fog of uncertainty.)
So let’s say we enact rules to restrict our use of the fossil fuels that emit greenhouse gases. And let’s say it works — our energy consumption drops significantly. Heck, at the rate our consumption is rising, staying flat could be considered a victory.
What does that mean for global warming? If we become a more efficient nation that moderates energy use, we will have… no effect at all on global warming. In fact, it could make things worse*.
Ask me how!
*There are other, significant advantages to reducing our energy consumption.
Comments
Man, this blog has slowed down...
Posted by: Mr. Guapo | April 19, 2006 5:36 PM
I can't speak for others, but personally, I was just boycotting your little "ask me how" conceit by pointedly refusing to ask how. Also, what's the point of blogging if more Norlosers just keep moving into your apartment?
Posted by: doubleohsoul | April 19, 2006 6:40 PM
Now I won't say. Just to keep you guessing.
The population at Norlos Central has dropped by one. It will drop by one more if a certain somebody keeps shitting outside the litter box.
Posted by: Mr. Guapo | April 19, 2006 6:57 PM
I couldn't bite at work, so here goes:
What, other than the obvious fact that whatever reduction in consumption we achieve will be more-than compensated for by Indian & Chinese economic growth, will induce this reduced-emissions-equals-greater-heating effect, or are you just refering to the new air-clarity-reduces-reflected-light theory of Catastrophic Environmental Degradation?
Mhmmm.... wormy.
Posted by: garmr | April 19, 2006 7:00 PM
i am with doubleohsoul, i refuse to ask if you want me. i always fight the man, unitl i turn into the man, but right now, on norlos, you are the man and worthy of nothing but my distain.
thanks for the wifi connection by the way, i appreciate the help...but a distainful appreciation.
Posted by: jebus4me | April 19, 2006 7:21 PM
Mr. Guapo was born distained...
Posted by: garmr | April 19, 2006 7:31 PM
"The population at Norlos Central has dropped by one. It will drop by one more if a certain somebody keeps shitting outside the litter box."
Um... the "certain somebody" isn't me by the way... in case any of you were wondering....
Posted by: Dr. No | April 19, 2006 10:00 PM
Work?
Posted by: Mr. Guapo | April 20, 2006 12:47 AM