"The issues Mitch brought up earlier," writes Post blogger Edward Troy, the Liberal Gladiator, in comment #64, "are absolutely valid problems without functioning sloutions. That they exist does not mean global warming isn't a problem or is mitigated. Solving some of those problems might actually help with global warming. The biosphere on this planet is warming and so I will do my best to not call it climate change for any nebulous reason PC or not. The sun is also warming as more hydrogen is converted into helium and increases core density making the core radius smaller and therefore increases the gravity which increases the rate on fusionable (excuse this "word") collisions and thus heat while lowering the density of the suns outer layers because mass has gone to the core and mostly because the outer layers have more volume because of increased heat/energy from the core via radiative, conductive and convective means."
"Uh infowars," writes Post blogger Sue Gray in comment #60, "I guess you're not aware that glaciers are on land, not the ocean. We're not talking about icebergs, we're talking about frozen rivers of ice that have existed for thousands of years melting into the sea. The Antarctic ice sheet is from 7000 to 15000 feet thick and covers nearly the entire continent. You don't think if it melts that will raise the sea level? There are glaciers melting in Greenland, Alaska, and the Himalayas. All adding new, previously bound up water to the ocean. It's already happening and no matter how much you question authority, physics is still going to be in play.z
And you just made the exact point scientists are trying to make with Carbon Dioxide levels in our atmosphere: too much, and we run out of air to breath. We die. That's what toxic means."
"Just like you fear-mongers that say man is the reason of global warming, yet Mars and other planets and moons have frozen areas," writes Post blogger infowars.com in commetn #59, "yet some are closer to the Sun and have no cars or cow farts. And then theres the fact that these same super-duper-leaders said we would have an ice age in the 70s. And to change it too climate change..... WOW.... there called seasons Sue. And if those seasons worry you, then get a group together to stop the HARP program and complain about the chemtrails this government finally admitted to doing. but who cares cuzz Al Gore invented the internet, and Obama won the Peach Prize huh."
Posts filed under 'Environment'
A few years ago, I enthusiastically entered the Virgin Earth contest to remove a billion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere per year for ten years as part of a profitable enterprise. For comparison purposes, planetary production of steel is about 1.3 billion tons/yr. Surely there must be a way to solve this, I thought. I am reasonably familiar with the sciences necessary to tackle this problem. The scale is of course enourmous.
The sheer size of the requirements eliminated many small possibilities. Only those affecting the entire planet could be considered. I am as close to absolute certitude that no single sovereign nation can solve this by itself.
In short, CO2 is a very stable compound; An atom of carbon covalently double bonded to two oxygen atoms. Replacing the oxygen would require the use of Fluorine which is the only element with a higher electronegative number (electron affinity). However, fluorine is never found in a pure form outside of chemistry labs, the etching of glass is done with fluorine or fluorinated compounds. It would cost more energy to free up fluorine in compounds to replace the oxygen. No hope there.
Replacing the carbon could also be done using various metallic elements, which easily donate electrons. However these metals are also in compounds. For the same energy cost reasons as is the case with Fluorine, there is no hope here either. Thus no industrial/chemical process will work.
Next I considered the use of solar power, however the energy lost in the conversion of CO2 into C + O2 would be better spent on direct use to replace fossil fuels. That does not win the prize.
That left biology. I considered molluscs and finally oxygen producing coccolithophores. While huge amounts of CO2 can be removed the oceans are left very acidic which breaks down the carbonates formed. The limit is the amount of Ca++ in oceanic solution.
I do not believe there is a way to solve this without a terrestrial solution (non-marine). Humanity and its organizational constructs are in the way; Sovereignty, race(es), ethnicities, religions.
I do believe a genetically modified organism could do it, but there are certainly ethical issues arising from that situation since the cultivation of this organism would have to be done on a truly massive scale. But, I hope I am wrong.
I will not be blogging for a while. I wish all of you the best and a happy new year and decade. �
January 4th, 2010
THE ASPEN CANARY INITIATIVE SUPPORTS QITTLES 60 CITY BUS TOUR
Mobile Marketing Tour to Promote “Live the Dream” Goes Green
Aspen, CO (October 28th, 2009)— The Qittle “Live the Dream” bus tour will promote environmentally sustainable behaviors with the support of the City of Aspen’s Canary Initiative.
The Canary Initiative is donating Canary Tags—investments in local projects that reduce carbon—in order to make the bus carbon neutral. During the five month tour, Qittle will use text marketing strategies to encourage large audiences to “avoid, reduce then offset” their carbon impacts.
Kim Peterson, director of the Canary Initiative sees it as a great opportunity and a perfect match for what the Canary Initiative is attempting to accomplish.
“We will be able to help other cities establish their own carbon reduction programs through this effort,” Peterson said. “This type of marketing is cutting edge and targeted toward an ever growing tech savvy market.”
With support such as the Canary Initiative, Qittle will hold educational seminars throughout the U.S. helping businesses use new media tools like mobile marketing to relay their message. The bus tour will also promote Qittle’s “Live the Dream” campaign where one person will win a free year in Aspen, complete with a place to live, ski pass and the essentials to survive in the mountain town.
The Canary Initiative was created by the City of Aspen to serve as an action plan that identifies steps to reduce global warming pollution; inform the public about impacts from, and solutions for global warming; and to advocate for action on a regional, state, and national level.
Qittle helps businesses create, customize and manage a mobile marketing initiative. Launched on the dawn of a worldwide mobile reign, Qittle brings the message to the customer through the mobile phone-a device most customers don't leave home without. www.qittle.com
October 28th, 2009
Former Aspen Public Radio reporter Kirk Siegler makes the big time with his report for NPR on Sudden Aspen Decline (SAD): http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6095916
NPR's Mitch Teich reports on the same phenomenon from Northern Arizona.
October 27th, 2009
On October 24, people in Aspen will gather to spell the words SAVE SNOW on Aspen Mountain as part of the largest global day of climate action ever.
The event—one of nearly 2,500 rallies in more than 150 nations—is coordinated by 350.org to urge world leaders to take fast and effective action on global warming. This is the first global campaign ever organized around a scientific data point: 350 parts per million CO2 is the safe upper limit for the atmosphere, according to the latest scientific data.
WHO: Everyone! Friends, family, colleagues and neighbors!
WHAT: Participants will be photographed by John Catto, owner of Alpenglow Pictures Inc., from above spelling the words “SAVE SNOW” with their bodies. Everyone is encouraged to wear winter gear (snowboards, skis, jackets, hats, etc.) for the photo. The end result – a photograph of hundreds of winter enthusiasts standing on a snowless ski mountain – will be sent to local, regional, national and international elected officials before the important climate meetings this December in Copenhagen with a simple message: Please act NOW!
Simultaneously, people in every corner of the world will be taking similar action, from climbers with 350 banners high on the melting slopes of Mount Everest to government officials in the Maldive Islands holding an underwater cabinet meeting to demand action on climate change before their nation disappears.
After the photo, participants will gather at Ajax Tavern for free beer, Stranahan’s whiskey, music from the Powder Hounds and a drawing for special prizes. Aspen Paragliding, Eco-Flight, Ute Mountaineer, Rocky Mountain Nordic and the Community Office for Resource Efficiency (CORE) have all donated giveaways to the event.
WHEN: October 24, 2009, from 3 to 5 p.m.
WHERE: Meet promptly at 3 p.m. at Aspen Mountain Gondola Plaza
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The event is sponsored by CORE, the City of Aspen’s Canary Initiative, Ruthie Brown of Wagon Wheel Associates and Ski Co with donations from Alpenglow Pictures, Ajax Tavern, the Powder Hounds, Stranahan’s whiskey, the Limelight Lodge, Aspen Paragliding, Eco-Flight, Ute Mountaineer and Rocky Mountain Nordic. Photos from the event will be available at www.aspencore.org and at www.aspenpitkin.com. Photos from events happening all over the world will be available for free use at: http://350.org/media. For more information on the global 350 campaign, please visit www.350.org or contact Cosa Bullock in New York, cbullock@mrss.com.
ABOUT 350.ORG: Founded by author and environmentalist Bill McKibben, 350.org is the first large-scale grassroots global campaign against climate change. Its supporters include leading scientists, the governments of 89 countries, and a huge variety of environmental, health, development and religious NGOs. All agree that current atmospheric levels of CO2—390 parts per million—are causing damage to the planet and to its most vulnerable people, and that government action at the Copenhagen climate conference is required to bring the earth’s carbon level swiftly down.
Do Your Part to Save Snow in Aspen
October 22nd, 2009
Two stories days apart in major newspapers--the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times--detail the growing concerns over Sudden Aspen Decline (SAD):
Wall Street Journal. The New York Times.
October 15th, 2009
By Frosty Wooldridge
You bet I address the overpopulation issue in America! You won’t see one governor, senator or House leader speak about it. They avoid it at all costs. However, more voices join the chorus in 2009. We’re in more trouble than a henhouse with two foxes jumping through the windows!
The United States maintains the third fastest growth rate in the world behind China and India. They suffer with 1.3 and 1.1 billion people already, but add eight and 12 million respectively each year! The U.S. adds 3.4 million annually. Projections show the U.S. adding 100 million in 26 years. Stuff that into your entitlement bong and smoke it!
Continue Reading August 5th, 2009
By Frosty Wooldridge
Re: “Udall’s response to criticism on energy policy” Mark Udall/7/30/09
“Big enviro is hypocritical about nuclear power” Susan Helms/7/30/09
After attending many town hall meetings hosted by Colorado Senator Mark Udall over the years, I found his latest response to John Dendahl particularly distressing as to our energy reality. While Udall pretends to represent America, he undercuts our ability to remain sustainable.
As a congressman, he never once took action to stop relentless unlawful immigration which added 20 million people to the USA. He voted in favor of continued mass legal immigration. As to the amnesty vote in 2007, he favored doubling legal immigration from 1.2 million annually to 2.4 million.
Continue Reading August 4th, 2009
By Frosty Wooldridge
This past week in Denver and cities across America, men and women walked, marched, biked and hiked to cure cancer. Cancer survivors spoke, cheered and prayed. Supporters waved banners and held pink ribbons. Last weekend in Frisco, Colorado, countless women marched 15 miles to Breckenridge, Colorado to raise money to find a cure for cancer. Americans run triathlons to stop cancer. Lance Armstrong rides in the Tour de France next month to bring more attention to the ravages of cancer.
Continue Reading June 29th, 2009
By Frosty Wooldridge
With millions of Americans reading my columns on 50 websites across the country, I receive thousands of letters concerning my stance on overpopulation and immigration. Additionally, I speak to millions on radio shows. My latest book, America on the Brink: The Next Added 100 Million Americans, describes our accelerating population predicament. As a civilization, we stand nostril-deep in a world of hurt on a dozen fronts.
Continue Reading June 26th, 2009
By Frosty Wooldridge
Have you ever gotten a feeling that you were on a date with the wrong person? Kind of a queasy gut feeling? Have you found yourself traveling down the wrong road and the further you traveled the more uneasy your feelings? Have you lied to yourself or someone only to find out you created a bigger problem?
The late Meredith Burke, a senior fellow at Californians for Population Stabilization, www.capsweb.org, wrote a stupendous column with that queasy feeling wrenching every sentence: “The Population Doom”.
Continue Reading June 24th, 2009
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