1
The Environment / What are the major effects of global warming?
« on: 05/05/2010 21:28:22 »
Green - To be more specific to the question at hand. Warm is good. Cold is bad. Look it up!
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2
The Environment / Will hydrogen-powered cars deplete atmospheric oxygen?
« on: 05/05/2010 21:25:40 »
Geezer - We are just pondering technicalities. The question posed does not stipulate how the electrolysis will be accomplished. However, ALL currently 'so called' reneuable sources are HEAVILY dependent, and often subsidized with fossil fuels. Nuclear power could not exist without fossil fuels. Wind turbines are MADE out of the stuff.
And it gets worse. Ethanol production for maize has already been accused of causing food riots in places like Egypt. The entirety of the 21st century will be run almost entirely on fossil fuels. Hell, even using all these fossile fuels we will not get one nuke plant on line till at least 2030.
Till then, China, I believe, is constructing one large coal plant per week. It just a fatct.....
And it gets worse. Ethanol production for maize has already been accused of causing food riots in places like Egypt. The entirety of the 21st century will be run almost entirely on fossil fuels. Hell, even using all these fossile fuels we will not get one nuke plant on line till at least 2030.
Till then, China, I believe, is constructing one large coal plant per week. It just a fatct.....
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Is our future predetermined? Destiny - Can you prove it scientifically.
« on: 05/05/2010 21:16:01 »
There is no physical predetermination because there is no physical constant. Specifically, the smallest distance in the universe is one plank unit. Same for time. Accordingly, what happens to matter, and for that matter light, as it passes through this granulated expanse is much less then then certain? Certainly matter is discontinuous. As it moves from point A to B it does not exist at all the infinite points in between.
My own SWAG is our 4D universe is entangled with at least one more dimension [string theory has at least nine], and they are not segregated from one another. Even the non-string guys are perplexed by the inexpicably week gravitational force, and speculate a 'leakage'. In five dimensions the entire question of cause and effect may be moot. Everything will just BE....
My own SWAG is our 4D universe is entangled with at least one more dimension [string theory has at least nine], and they are not segregated from one another. Even the non-string guys are perplexed by the inexpicably week gravitational force, and speculate a 'leakage'. In five dimensions the entire question of cause and effect may be moot. Everything will just BE....
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / What happens to gravity when 2 bodies are connected?
« on: 05/05/2010 21:06:13 »
It will not make one iota of difference because the mass used to do the connection is likely relatively small, and even so would be distributed from earth to moon in some sort of proportion to how it is without the physical connection.
Space elevators. Yeah. The surface speed at the equator is 1,000 miles per hour. The speed at the upside of the synchronous elevator is going 24,000 miles per hour. Jee. Can I see a problem here?
Space elevators. Yeah. The surface speed at the equator is 1,000 miles per hour. The speed at the upside of the synchronous elevator is going 24,000 miles per hour. Jee. Can I see a problem here?
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Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology / Could an electromagnetic pulse be caused by solar activity?
« on: 05/05/2010 21:00:46 »
You BETCHAH!
The largest solar flare recorded took place in the middle of the 1800's. By all reports it was one SOB. Aurora Borealis at Miami Beach. Set telegraph stations of fire from hither and yon. In modern times lesser flares have triggered electric grid fuzes and breakers, and even screwed up one or two satelites.
Hard to say what that 1800's thing would do today. You might wish for a horse....
The largest solar flare recorded took place in the middle of the 1800's. By all reports it was one SOB. Aurora Borealis at Miami Beach. Set telegraph stations of fire from hither and yon. In modern times lesser flares have triggered electric grid fuzes and breakers, and even screwed up one or two satelites.
Hard to say what that 1800's thing would do today. You might wish for a horse....
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The Environment / Is the iceberg below seasonal ice or year-round ice to the naked science eye of?
« on: 05/05/2010 20:17:46 »
Phil Jones of East Anglia Climate Unite claims the climate has not warmed in at least 15 years. Accordingly, I respectfully recommend you drop the term denier. It has, you know, a sort of Aristotelian thing left over from Galileo. His professorial coleaques believed he was an Aristotelian Denier.
An empithet he seems to have embraced, at which point his professorial accademic colleagues seem to have prevailed on Pope Urban 'whats his number' to deal with this denier directly. Apparently, Galileo's eclesiastical supporters prevailed against the accademics. One Cardinal having famously pronounced "The Bible tells us how to go to heaven. Not how the heavens go."
So, where is algore when you really need him?
An empithet he seems to have embraced, at which point his professorial accademic colleagues seem to have prevailed on Pope Urban 'whats his number' to deal with this denier directly. Apparently, Galileo's eclesiastical supporters prevailed against the accademics. One Cardinal having famously pronounced "The Bible tells us how to go to heaven. Not how the heavens go."
So, where is algore when you really need him?
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The Environment / Will hydrogen-powered cars deplete atmospheric oxygen?
« on: 05/05/2010 20:06:50 »
Geezer - You wrote: "As long as the hydrogen was produced by separating water into hydrogen and oxygen, there would be no net change in oxygen." Wrong.
Each and every source of hydrogen I have ever heard of requires energy in order to collect, produce, package, compres, and distribute the stuff. After which it is burned into water from ambient oxygen. The entire cycle is powered, in large part, by fossil fuels.
Each and every source of hydrogen I have ever heard of requires energy in order to collect, produce, package, compres, and distribute the stuff. After which it is burned into water from ambient oxygen. The entire cycle is powered, in large part, by fossil fuels.
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The Environment / Can you stop desertification with a wall?
« on: 05/05/2010 19:57:42 »
No, it is not true.
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Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution / Are human origins reflected in blood groups?
« on: 05/05/2010 19:10:41 »
FASCINATING SUBJECT!
I did some preliminary research on this and it is WAY interesting. Blood types A&B seem to have been passed down to us from Chimps and Gorillas, respectively through intermediary hominids. These hominids apparently had some hanky panky going on sufficient to mix the two groups. [Chimps have A but never B and gorillas have B but never A. Both groups have small percentages of type O].
According to my reading, however, these hominids never became entirely homogenized. Accordingly, it is inaccurate to say all African blood types left Africa with all the migrating groups. This is ESPECIALLY true with blood type O - which seems to be the mere absence of the A or B genetic alele. http://www.lexiline.com/lexiline/lexi9.htm
Specifically, the indigeonous groups of all Latin America, Western North America, Carabean, Florida and Central Arctic are nearly 100% blood type O. This is not the case anyplace else on the planet, and is not the case with any of the other blood types. http://anthro.palomar.edu/vary/vary_3.htm One conclusion is blood type O hominids and their subsequenT homo sapiens descendants remained remarkably homogeounous, and/or died out among the other groups.
Then consider blood types A and B. Type A has high concentration in the Arctic, but also a wide swath of indigeonous Australians right through the middle of the continent. The consider Asia. Blood type B seems to have simply inserted itself right smack bang between those areas with A and O predomenance.
Africa is more of a patchwork, but with pockets of nearly no type B at all. Maybe its just me. But these low type B places seem to be roughly where one would expect to find Brown African Bushmen, who are the oldest genetic population on the planet.
OPEN TO ANY AND OLL OBSERVATIONS - because I have no clue.
I did some preliminary research on this and it is WAY interesting. Blood types A&B seem to have been passed down to us from Chimps and Gorillas, respectively through intermediary hominids. These hominids apparently had some hanky panky going on sufficient to mix the two groups. [Chimps have A but never B and gorillas have B but never A. Both groups have small percentages of type O].
According to my reading, however, these hominids never became entirely homogenized. Accordingly, it is inaccurate to say all African blood types left Africa with all the migrating groups. This is ESPECIALLY true with blood type O - which seems to be the mere absence of the A or B genetic alele. http://www.lexiline.com/lexiline/lexi9.htm
Specifically, the indigeonous groups of all Latin America, Western North America, Carabean, Florida and Central Arctic are nearly 100% blood type O. This is not the case anyplace else on the planet, and is not the case with any of the other blood types. http://anthro.palomar.edu/vary/vary_3.htm One conclusion is blood type O hominids and their subsequenT homo sapiens descendants remained remarkably homogeounous, and/or died out among the other groups.
Then consider blood types A and B. Type A has high concentration in the Arctic, but also a wide swath of indigeonous Australians right through the middle of the continent. The consider Asia. Blood type B seems to have simply inserted itself right smack bang between those areas with A and O predomenance.
Africa is more of a patchwork, but with pockets of nearly no type B at all. Maybe its just me. But these low type B places seem to be roughly where one would expect to find Brown African Bushmen, who are the oldest genetic population on the planet.
OPEN TO ANY AND OLL OBSERVATIONS - because I have no clue.
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The Environment / Do certain colors (besides black and white) get hotter faster?
« on: 29/03/2010 15:00:36 »
Energy contained in electromagnetic radiation increases as the frequency increases. Accordingly blue light carries more energy then yellow light. Stipulating full reflection of blue as well as full absorbtion of yellow, subsequent heat capture would be less in this case then if the reverse were true.
I have no idea, however, how much percentage difference one color is over another. Here is a chart of the electromagnetic spectrum. http://www.antonine-education.co.uk/physics_gcse/Unit_1/Topic_5/em_spectrum.jpg
I have no idea, however, how much percentage difference one color is over another. Here is a chart of the electromagnetic spectrum. http://www.antonine-education.co.uk/physics_gcse/Unit_1/Topic_5/em_spectrum.jpg
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The Environment / Can we cool the core?
« on: 29/03/2010 14:43:51 »
I agree with you geezer. The earths core is continually warmed by radioactive decay, however, we do not know by how much. Further, we have no good enough information to compare this with cooling caused by out migration of magma, hot water, and various gases.
Thermal energy capture seems inconsequential for a couple of reasons. First, anything we can capture is a pitance of what comes out all along the "Pacific Ring Of Fire" let alone all the continuous and intermitent outflows in other places. Second, anything we capture would be near the surface to begin with, and would likely out migrate soon anyway.
Thermal energy capture seems inconsequential for a couple of reasons. First, anything we can capture is a pitance of what comes out all along the "Pacific Ring Of Fire" let alone all the continuous and intermitent outflows in other places. Second, anything we capture would be near the surface to begin with, and would likely out migrate soon anyway.
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The Environment / Have you heard about this study of historic changes in sea level?
« on: 29/03/2010 14:35:56 »
Geezer,
After a bit of googling it seems to me Sea Level changes are continuous, and bit mystifying. Here is an additional study on Mediterainean changes over the last 2,500 years:
"During the Hellenistic period, the sea level was about 1.6 meters lower than its present level; during the Roman era the level was almost similar to today's; the level began to drop again during the ancient Muslim period, and continued dropping to reach the same level as it was during the Crusader period; but within about 500 years it rose again, and reached some 25 centimeters lower than today's level at the beginning of the 18th century." http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-01/uoh-tsl012610.php
One might expect sea levels to be lower during the cooler pre and post Roman Eras due to more ice. However, the levels are reported to have continued to fall despite subsequent Midieval Warming, then rose again during The Little Ice Age. Weird. Its another cautionary tale about jumping to conclusions based on clearly incomplete understanding.
Incidentally, even extensive dam building can lower Sea Levels. Someplace I read the mid 20th century flury of such activity might have lowered sea levels by as much as 10 cm.
After a bit of googling it seems to me Sea Level changes are continuous, and bit mystifying. Here is an additional study on Mediterainean changes over the last 2,500 years:
"During the Hellenistic period, the sea level was about 1.6 meters lower than its present level; during the Roman era the level was almost similar to today's; the level began to drop again during the ancient Muslim period, and continued dropping to reach the same level as it was during the Crusader period; but within about 500 years it rose again, and reached some 25 centimeters lower than today's level at the beginning of the 18th century." http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-01/uoh-tsl012610.php
One might expect sea levels to be lower during the cooler pre and post Roman Eras due to more ice. However, the levels are reported to have continued to fall despite subsequent Midieval Warming, then rose again during The Little Ice Age. Weird. Its another cautionary tale about jumping to conclusions based on clearly incomplete understanding.
Incidentally, even extensive dam building can lower Sea Levels. Someplace I read the mid 20th century flury of such activity might have lowered sea levels by as much as 10 cm.
13
The Environment / What is the greenest way to be buried?
« on: 07/03/2010 21:09:24 »
One apparently obvious thing to do is simply "leave your body" to science. In that respect you would, technically speaking, continue to be productive after your own demise.
Strictly from an environmental point of view your remains would best be put to use laid in an open field out in the country. Lots of very effective and rapid recycling would take place. However, this is may not practical where you live, and may be illegal.
The traditional method of burial is undoubtedly still legal in places. Dig a hole someplace on your own property, place body therein; cover said hole with previously removed dirt. Certainly this was routine practice in America within living memory. Family cemetery plots on family farms are not rare.
Hey. Shop Around! There must STILL be churchyards or some such that do not require burial vaults and all the other trimmings! If you are really really sneaky you might just get by with a Heafty Trash Bag on collection day!
More seriously, contact your local authorities what they do with unclaimed bodies. Do the same!
Strictly from an environmental point of view your remains would best be put to use laid in an open field out in the country. Lots of very effective and rapid recycling would take place. However, this is may not practical where you live, and may be illegal.
The traditional method of burial is undoubtedly still legal in places. Dig a hole someplace on your own property, place body therein; cover said hole with previously removed dirt. Certainly this was routine practice in America within living memory. Family cemetery plots on family farms are not rare.
Hey. Shop Around! There must STILL be churchyards or some such that do not require burial vaults and all the other trimmings! If you are really really sneaky you might just get by with a Heafty Trash Bag on collection day!
More seriously, contact your local authorities what they do with unclaimed bodies. Do the same!
14
The Environment / Are the sunspots returning?
« on: 24/02/2010 17:18:02 »
There may be a recovery. This is important because 2008 and 2009 had among the most spotless days in 148 years. Ranking number four and five, I think. Further, they were the ONLY consecutive years to have similarly high spotless days.
Here is a graph from January and most of February. I have been unable to find an analysis of how significant these numbers might be. Whether they are typical of early cycle activity or not. Sunspot peak has been estimated for 2011 or 2012. However, the sun was down right catatonic the last couple of years, and I don't know how that figures in.
At any rate, the commentator at one of the sites I visited expressed relief.
http://space-env.esa.int/Data_Plots/noaa/ssn_plot.gif
Here is a graph from January and most of February. I have been unable to find an analysis of how significant these numbers might be. Whether they are typical of early cycle activity or not. Sunspot peak has been estimated for 2011 or 2012. However, the sun was down right catatonic the last couple of years, and I don't know how that figures in.
At any rate, the commentator at one of the sites I visited expressed relief.
http://space-env.esa.int/Data_Plots/noaa/ssn_plot.gif
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The Environment / Dutch Ofc of Environmental Planning & IPCC in cahoots - or both just inept?
« on: 22/02/2010 22:10:23 »
BC - You wrote: "It's not that the 2 groups are in cahoots or incompetent; they are both correct. It's just that people made the wrong assumption about what the figures referred to."
And these are the presentations we are expected to include in Trillion Dollar CO2 legislation? We 'the people' made the wrong assumption? You have categegorically excluded IPCC reports from consideration by voters because we are too stupid to understand what they actually wrote?
No. Thats not the case. If the people who write the reports can not pass Freshman Writing 101 they need to be fired forthwith. What a bunch of semi-literate hacks.
And these are the presentations we are expected to include in Trillion Dollar CO2 legislation? We 'the people' made the wrong assumption? You have categegorically excluded IPCC reports from consideration by voters because we are too stupid to understand what they actually wrote?
No. Thats not the case. If the people who write the reports can not pass Freshman Writing 101 they need to be fired forthwith. What a bunch of semi-literate hacks.
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The Environment / Dutch Ofc of Environmental Planning & IPCC in cahoots - or both just inept?
« on: 22/02/2010 21:56:38 »
Madidus_Scientia - You wrote, sarcastically, "OMG THIS PROVES GLOBAL WARMING ISN'T HAPPENING."
According to Climate God Phil Jones it has not been happening since 1995. He also is adamant there is no consensus on the matter. All this needs to be taken with a grain of jail house salt, of course. Jones seems to have come by his recent Karma via a very close call with actual prison time.
Chalk it all up to "A Polar Bear Too Far." The GW crowd is now subject of late night comedy. There is no appeal from this condemnation. Just ask George Bush!
Happy TRAILS to you... and you and you and you!
According to Climate God Phil Jones it has not been happening since 1995. He also is adamant there is no consensus on the matter. All this needs to be taken with a grain of jail house salt, of course. Jones seems to have come by his recent Karma via a very close call with actual prison time.
Chalk it all up to "A Polar Bear Too Far." The GW crowd is now subject of late night comedy. There is no appeal from this condemnation. Just ask George Bush!
Happy TRAILS to you... and you and you and you!
17
The Environment / What proportion of global warming is attributable to humans?
« on: 20/02/2010 17:50:27 »
Not an actor? He clearly gave quite a performance in that video. You should look it up! But you are right. I incorrectly referred to him as a sonorous Shakespearian actor when in fact is is a sonorous narrator for his TV nature films.
Which is actually worse. It is worse because one does not expect an actor to be much of a scientist. However, I have now reviewed this guys credits. He should have known better then to make such a silly video clip. It does not add to his reputation.
Which is actually worse. It is worse because one does not expect an actor to be much of a scientist. However, I have now reviewed this guys credits. He should have known better then to make such a silly video clip. It does not add to his reputation.
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The Environment / What proportion of global warming is attributable to humans?
« on: 19/02/2010 21:23:02 »
BenV - Please list and NUMBER my lies and I will take time in the next couple of days to consider them. I am perplexed by your accusations and if you put them all in a nice list I might understand what you are talking about. For instance, in what way have I lied about the video that you are not certain you even have seen? I believe the video is inconsequential. Thats all. Go view the video and give me your assessment of its probative value. That would be a good start.....
19
The Environment / What proportion of global warming is attributable to humans?
« on: 19/02/2010 18:08:33 »
BenV - Remeber the rules. "Family Friendly" discourse. I will not report you as an abuser however, since I have family members who behave much as do you! For instance, my brother-in-law has a strange predilection for the dangerous dog breed known as Akitas. Dogs 101 on Animal Planet reports half of all Akitas end up in shelters, and they will drive up your home insurance rates. My brother-in-law obtained his insane Akita from a shelter, I believe.
He should have known better for the simple reason several previous 'well behaved' Akitas killed all the neiborhood cats, raccoons, and Four H project animals and wounded some expensive doggie pets for miles around. Akitas were, after all, bread to hunt down Japanese bears. His dog bit me twice down to the bone when I visited a year ago. I poured rubbing alcohol on the wound with a bandage and let it go at that.
However, my brother-in-law, far from being concerned or appologetic about the matter, got all huffy and defensive about his dog. I told him I was afraid of the dog, and unless he got a muzzle for the thing I would go stay at a motel. After much weirdness he subsequently muzzled the dog after which it became big time submissive to ME. Layed on its back and wizzed, in fact. My brother-in-law was perplexed.
So, why are you so defensive about this or that Atteburogh guys video? The video was the worst sort of simple minded embarrassment the likes of which are generally seen only from algore. You should be apologizing to forum members simply because you continue to aid and abet and continue to inflict this dog of a video upon the members. And you don't even get Fox News.
Seriously, do you have much in the way of higher education?
He should have known better for the simple reason several previous 'well behaved' Akitas killed all the neiborhood cats, raccoons, and Four H project animals and wounded some expensive doggie pets for miles around. Akitas were, after all, bread to hunt down Japanese bears. His dog bit me twice down to the bone when I visited a year ago. I poured rubbing alcohol on the wound with a bandage and let it go at that.
However, my brother-in-law, far from being concerned or appologetic about the matter, got all huffy and defensive about his dog. I told him I was afraid of the dog, and unless he got a muzzle for the thing I would go stay at a motel. After much weirdness he subsequently muzzled the dog after which it became big time submissive to ME. Layed on its back and wizzed, in fact. My brother-in-law was perplexed.
So, why are you so defensive about this or that Atteburogh guys video? The video was the worst sort of simple minded embarrassment the likes of which are generally seen only from algore. You should be apologizing to forum members simply because you continue to aid and abet and continue to inflict this dog of a video upon the members. And you don't even get Fox News.
Seriously, do you have much in the way of higher education?
20
The Environment / What proportion of global warming is attributable to humans?
« on: 18/02/2010 04:09:21 »
norcalclimber
Your point is well taken. Specifically, the huge number of climate variables have not even been adequately enumerated, let alone quantified. But at least the GW hysteria 'bubble' has now collapsed. Fifteen years of unrequited and non-existent GW seems to have been just one Polar Bear Too Far. So far, in fact, that actual prison time was at risk when things did not warm up as expected.
Perhaps some level headed and sober analysis will now emerge. It may take some time, however, before the inebriated among us recognize they ever had a problem in the first place. And it will certainly be a very very long time before the general public will give the next crop of 'climatologists' so much as the time of day.....
Your point is well taken. Specifically, the huge number of climate variables have not even been adequately enumerated, let alone quantified. But at least the GW hysteria 'bubble' has now collapsed. Fifteen years of unrequited and non-existent GW seems to have been just one Polar Bear Too Far. So far, in fact, that actual prison time was at risk when things did not warm up as expected.
Perhaps some level headed and sober analysis will now emerge. It may take some time, however, before the inebriated among us recognize they ever had a problem in the first place. And it will certainly be a very very long time before the general public will give the next crop of 'climatologists' so much as the time of day.....