Comments katwink has made

  • Weather vs. climate

    Basic meteorology:
    Climate refers to long-term trends, usually averaged over 10 or more years, over a specific geographic region, or globally.
    Weather is temperature, precipitation, wind, barometric pressure at a given point in time.
    Therefore, it is pointless and ignorant to implicitly deny CLIMATE change based on a week's worth of WEATHER.On U.N. talks set programme to a landmark climate pact in '09 posted 11 months, 2 weeks ago 5 Responses

  • It's a Start

    First off, thank you for including the link to the EPA report. It will make SUCH titilatting reading during spring break.

    Second, 50% is too little as many of us know, but what prohibits future legislators from increasing reductions? There are lots of elections between now and 2050 - who knows what policies future representatives will craft?

    True, it may all be futile; we may all succumb to the ravages of climate catastrophe. But I will not go down without doing my utmost to make things right with Nature. L-W and the aqssorted state, national and international arrangements are at least attempting to address the climate challenge.On Bush administration quietly acknowledges climate plan is doable posted 1 year, 8 months ago 17 Responses

  • State support

    comes from:

    "The 15 states joining California in today's suit: Massachusetts, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington."
    This information was at the end of the LA Times article linked to this story.

    Not sure about non-profits but I could make some good guesses.
    On California, 15 other states, and five nonprofits sue EPA over waiver decision posted 1 year, 11 months ago 4 Responses

  • More Info

    The Washington Toxics Coalition has a wealth of information about this issue. The scariest detail is that the chemicals put into toiletries and cosmetics in the US are largely unregulated and many of them are banned in the EU.

    For non-toxic skin and hair care products made in the Northwest, check out Alaffia and Chadwick's lines.On A no-makeup diet is healthier for you and the planet posted 2 years, 1 month ago 2 Responses

  • Taking action

    In the "Global Warming: East-West Connections" article, James Hansen and Makiko Sato discuss the need for the US and China to reduce dependence on coal as an energy source. In the conclusion, they state, " . . the present threat to the planet and civilization, with the United States and China the principal players (although Europe has a large responsibility) requires only inaction in the face of a clear scientific evidence of danger."
    These authors also point out the dangers of special interests concerned only about short-term profits (read Big Coal, Big Oil, etc.) and how these interests hold undue priorities with national governments, not just in the US. In the final paragraph of the report, they advocate that the public pay attention to the global warming issue in the electoral process and vote accordingly.
    Doesn't seem too difficult to vote FOR effective global warming action or to write/call current elected officials to urge such action. Hansen's Declaration of Stewardship (see Grist's post http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/8/9/103511/8338) provides talking points for communicating with representatives.On The coal industry's extortion is on increasingly obvious display posted 2 years, 1 month ago 3 Responses

  • I beg to differ

    And the website you link describes itself nicely in the heading:

    "Quackery is now found everywhere."

    No rational thinker will throw away reason and logic to be swayed by propaganda of any form. Intelligent readers of science DO have the basic knowledge and have done plenty of homework to inform themselves.On Yeah, coal again posted 2 years, 4 months ago 11 Responses

  • WOW!

    Had no idea that linking would be automatic! Learn something new every day.On More great news from the climate posted 2 years, 4 months ago 8 Responses

  • Back to the original article

    with a reiteration that manufacturing or importing electric cars and a moratorium on any form of energy derived from coal are necessary NOW -
    "Ozone is generated when oxides of nitrogen -- chiefly from vehicle exhausts and fossil-fuel power stations -- react with other chemicals in the air."
    These two actions are not just needed immediately, but are available right now as options; no waiting for technology or debates over feasibility as with nuclear or hydrogen.

    BTW - for a bit of bright news, check out the WorldWatch website for its Vital Signs update on the contributions of wind energy to world electricity supplies. Find it at:
    http://www.worldwatch.org/node/5258. (S'cuse the low-tech, I'm link-challenged.)
    On More great news from the climate posted 2 years, 4 months ago 8 Responses

  • Additional moratoriums

    Humanity also needs to put a moratorium on new construction permits (homes and businesses) that do not include energy saving technologies and transportation packages that do not include mass transit options and incentives.
    Without serious, immediate changes in energy consumption - well, you all know the potential consequences.
    I'm grateful James Hanson persists in broadcasting the science and its implications.On A guest essay posted 2 years, 4 months ago 7 Responses

  • Anyone have Limbaugh's email?

    Someone needs to email this link to Rush, not that he would appreciate it or even read it.
    This morning on his show, during a discussion of the No Child Left Behind debate, he exhorted listeners to encourage their children to study math and science. He said if your kid wants to be a physicist, encourage him. If your kid wants to be any kind of scientists, support him. "Except a global warming scientist because they are just activists and politicians."
    Doesn't say much about all the meteorologists, atmospheric scientists, etc. but it says volumes about RL. I hope his more thoughtful listeners see through the hyperbole.
    (I listen to RL on occasion to hear what other people think.)On Yes posted 2 years, 4 months ago 7 Responses

  • Classy Goracle

    Watching unedited videos of the hearings last night, I was apalled at the ambush Inhofe set up for Gore with his "yes or no" questions leading to a Pledge he wanted Gore to agree to (bringing his home's energy usage into alignment with normal American household use). Gore's response was to express a desire to meet over lunch sometime to iron out their differences. Talk about a classy gesture to reach out and bridge the divide. Wouldn't it be great if more politicians emulated this approach?On Gore gets a warm welcome on Capitol Hill, and a few heated exchanges posted 2 years, 8 months ago 20 Responses