Colin Wright’s Recent Comments

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  What about global dimming?

  The global downturn could in fact lead to increased warming, at least according to Professor Barry Brook, this week's guest on the ecoshock podcast. Industrial emissions lead to low-lying haze which reflects sunlight into space. This pollution can be cleaned up from the air (by rainfall, etc) in a matter of months. Still, from Wiki, I see the amount of radiation reaching the surface is only reduced by about 3% from global dimming. So a few precent reduction in emissions seems unlikely to have much noticable effect on climate. Unless someone knows more about this?On World carbon dioxide levels jump 2.3 ppm in 2008 to highest in 650,000 years posted 8 months, 3 weeks ago 2 Responses

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  More corporate giveaways in the pipeline?

  The Telecommunications Act was a diasaster for free speech, and led to massive media consolidation. (For instance, Clear Channel bought out over 100 radio stations at one time, laying off local journalists in favor of piped-in commentary). Didn't do much for cable rates either.

  Meanwhile, in Germany, Feed-In tariffs have led to 10 times more carbon reductions than cap and trade. (Source: this week's earthbeat podcast with researchers from Worldwatch.) Further, the feed-in tariffs have led to a means of support for German retirees, as they are guaranteed a constant rate of return in their investments in solar rooftops. Considering that Germany has the same solar resource as Anchorage, AL, can you imagine that bounty that could await American retirees if we had such a program here?On Markey on cap v. tax and ways to properly regulate carbon markets posted 8 months, 3 weeks ago 9 Responses

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  Sorry, Dave...

  Didn't mean to stand on your toes. Of Course, I welcome the Big Tent approach for Grist. If threads tend towards the theological, I will adjust my reading habits.On On the prospects for broad public understanding of climate science posted 8 months, 4 weeks ago 10 Responses

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  Beware the trolls!

  But as I've said before, Christ came to open our hearts and not to close our minds.

  
  This belongs on some Christian site -- not Grist. No proselytzing for your company, product or religion, please! On On the prospects for broad public understanding of climate science posted 8 months, 4 weeks ago 10 Responses

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  Vehicle to grid storage?

  GAr, what is your view of V2G? Seems to me that might be the best solution for somewhere like Hawaii or Perth, WA. If they can show the system is viable, perhaps it could spread to the mainland?On Big is beautiful if it breaks our dead-dinosaur addiction posted 9 months ago 34 Responses