Climate Change & Global Warming

[Medziotojas]

^http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/2858/thumbsupww9.gif

[KOYAANISQATSI]

Just more conspiracy theory, "New World Order" garbage.

 

Ever seen the speeches by such as Bush senior (exactly ten years to the day before 9/11) making promise of the coming, and I quote "New World Order" where the rule of law and not the law of the jungle would apply.

Much the same as those made by Bush junior, Tony Blair, Gordon Brown, etc.

Does this make them conspiracy theorists also?

 

I could give you the youtube links but you have to ask nicely.

 

 

Ah sod it, have one on me:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7a9Syi12RJo

[ArabiaTerra]

If the figures on CO2 are correct, then we are probably already past the point of no return and all this stuff about reducing our carbon footprint is futile. The Government targets to reduce the amount of CO2 output by 20% by 2050 (or is it by 50% by 2020) is also futile and would do no good whatsoever. Apparently what is required in order to make a difference is to STOP CO2 output NOW and to go even further and actually reduce the amount of CO2 that already exists in the atmosphere. Is that even a remote possibility? Is it technically possible? I don't know, but if not then it seems to me that instead of p**** in the wind, we need to be thinking about the real effects of climate change and what we need to do to survive with the changes that will inevitably befall us. In the meantime we ought to stop blowing all this guff about making relatively minute changes that will have absolutely nil impact on the overall situation. It's become a political issue that's diverting attention from the real situation.

The government targets at the moment are 20% by 2020 (30% if a global deal is reached at Copenhagen next year) and 80% by 2050.

 

As far as reducing the CO2 level goes, there is a technique called biochar which involves making charcoal, crushing it and ploughing it back into the soil. The Aztecs in Central America used it to increase the fertility of the rain forest soil and this charcoal is still there, it apparently hangs around in the soil for at least 500 years and improves fertility to boot.

 

It's true that we can't escape the preliminary effects of climate change, they are already happening, but we might be able to escape the medium term effects such as the melting of the Greenland icecap if we start acting now, and the longer term effects such as the melting of the Antarctic ice and the release of methane hydrates from the ocean floor can be avoided if we eliminate the use of fossil fuels this century.

 

I agree that it has become a political issue but this is necessary in order for world wide action to be effective. For instance, high CO2 emitting companies like steel and cement makers currently have no incentive to reduce emissions as the investment required would make them uncompetitive compared to companies which don't make the necessary investment. Thus a global political deal is necessary to level the playing field.

[sheepshagger]

Thus a global political deal is necessary to level the playing field.

 

Was the Kyoto treaty not just that, exept it didn't level the playing field and for this reason wasn't ratified by the yanks. But the like of AT and our damn fool government wanted it ratified no matter what.

[ArabiaTerra]

The Kyoto treaty was sabotaged from the start by the Yanks and others (Australia and Canada spring to mind). The fact that the Bush regime then reneged on the already inadequate targets just made a mockery of the whole thing. Hopefully, this time around, with the abundance of new evidence and Obama in the White House, it will be different.

 

And here's an interesting report. It seems the "little ice age", so beloved of Climate change sceptics, was, in a large part caused by man-made climate change.

 

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/12/081218094551.htm

[PJ of Hildisvik]

I've read about this before, the re-aforestation of farmland back then seems to have made a difference.

The UK could do with some serious re planting of native trees, as i believe only 1% of the country is forested, but with pressure on land with a fast increasing population, much of the ancient woodland will all but disappear in the next 30 years and new housing estates, most built on flood plains,(more flooding), will envelope the whole country, and probably National parks and more protected areas will eventually be developed.

This country is too small for a population of over 60 million, let alone 80/90 million predicted for the next 50/100 years.

[ArabiaTerra]

^^^^ I agree ^^^^

 

Population growth and the resulting pressure on the whole world's environment is one of the biggest challenges we face. I was amused by a report I saw recently from the world's major religions calling on people and governments to start looking after the environment. If the worlds major religions were to end their opposition to contraception and instead start preaching family planning from the pulpit and handing out birth control at the church/mosque/temple door, that would probably be the biggest single thing any organisation could do to help the environment. But then, they always were hypocrites.

 

On the little ice age report, I think this is a ray of hope because, if true, it means that it is perfectly possible for the human race to reverse the effects of climate change if the necessary will can be found.

[PJ of Hildisvik]

Obviously the rain forests make the headlines, but it is important to protect the Northern Boreal forests, also the Pacific North west Temperate rain forests of the US and Canada.

In this country there seems to be a better attitude to planting of trees where possible, also the planting of trees in Towns and Citys to "cool" the enviroment is very important.

When it comes to protecting wildlife, "corridors" of planting is the best thing, in joining up small areas of woodland or parkland, or you end up with loads of nature reserve Islands that are not at all beneficial to anything, this has been a big reason why Butterflys are dying out.

Plus Humans feel better when in a more natural enviroment.

[Nigel Bridgman-Elliot]

Would tree planting be welcomed here ?

 

Especially say new woodlands ?

[EM]

Would tree planting be welcomed here ?

Especially say new woodlands ?

Where is "here", Shetland or Southall? If Shetland then check this.

[PJ of Hildisvik]

There are more trees in the Isles than you think, the only problem is sheep and the 100.000.000rabbits

[PJ of Hildisvik]

It would be nice to see areas in and around Lerwick planted up with trees, there are loads of grass areas around the town that could be planted up, this would also save a fortune for the council in payments for grass cutting.

This could apply to all villages ie Brae, Voe etc etc.

Perhaps the community could get involved, a bit like Da Voar Redd Up?

[EM]

Perhaps the community could get involved, a bit like Da Voar Redd Up?

As I said above, info on this here. See section titled Volunteers.

[PJ of Hildisvik]

Yeh i know all about the Amenity Trust Woodland section, the work it does is great, the Loch of Voe woodland is developing nicely.

I was really on about turning a large percentage of boring grass areas, that aren't used for anything, into areas suitable for tree planting, not wild flower areas though, they are a decreasing habitat unfortunately.

This would be a major project, and something that would cost quite a bit , but if volunteers did the planting this would save a packet.

But getting the council to take it onboard is another matter in time of financial uncertainty.

[Nigel Bridgman-Elliot]

Thanks for the links.

 

I would have thought it could be done pretty cheaply if people collected suitable seeds and grew a few in their own greenhouses.

 

Seeds after all, litterly grow on trees

 

How big do trees need to be to plant before sheep and rabbits aren't an issue ?