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A completely different view on climate change - 10/17/2007 3:06:04 PM

DCWoody

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This thread is not about whether or not human activity is currently affecting the climate, I'm not saying it is, and I'm not saying it isn't, I'm completely ignoring that subject for the purpose of the point I'm about to make.

The Earth is currently in an ice age.

If there are ice caps, it's an ice age, that's the definition.

There isn't much ice right now, as we're in an interglacial period, where the ice has retreated to just a couple of small caps at the poles. There have been several other previous interglacials during the current ice age.

There is some evidence predicting that the current interglacial will last about 28,000 years, with us being so far roughly 11,500 years in. However this is a bit of a shaky prediction, working out the weather in 5 days time is hard enough, let alone 5000 years. 12,000 years is a more typical length for an interglacial....but again, don't bet your house on it.

However long....it will at some point end, interglacials aren't stable and don't last long (from a geological perspective, it'd be a long time to wait for a bus).

The general point I'm making is that there is no option for the climate to stay as it is, it will change, either the ice age will end altogether, or the ice will be back down to visit. Can't predict exactly how far the ice would spread, but it would certainly be a bad idea to be living anywhere in the UK, Canada, Russia or Alaska at the time.

There would be problems with both scenarios, but I certainly think that cooling would be by far the worse option. It's a widely stated statistic that enough food is grown to easily feed the entire human population of the earth, and therefore it's a disgrace that there are people starving. If the ice comes back that statistic probably won't be accurate, whereas if the ice age ends completely we'll be able to grow considerably more.

Bear in mind that I'm biased in favour of warming, as I live in a relatively highground area of Britain, someone in a low lying part of Mexico would perhaps see the advatages of cooling.

That's basically what I wanted to say, that when arguing about global warming you should really think, 'which do I prefer, cooling or warming, because there is no 'stay the same' option'.

Perhaps you could let me know which one you're rooting for in your reply to this post :)

Edited for typo.

< Message edited by DCWoody -- 10/17/2007 3:10:13 PM >

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RE: A completely different view on climate change - 10/17/2007 3:18:15 PM

Politesub53

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Since we have been told global warming will cause the sea levels to rise, and you say global cooling will do the same...Then im basically screwed as i am 200 yards from the beach..

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RE: A completely different view on climate change - 10/17/2007 3:20:34 PM

DCWoody

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I say what now?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Politesub53

Since we have been told global warming will cause the sea levels to rise, and you say global cooling will do the same...Then im basically screwed as i am 200 yards from the beach..

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RE: A completely different view on climate change - 10/17/2007 3:46:55 PM

GhitaAmati

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I live in Florida...and after this past summer of ungodly heat and humidity...Id like a little cooling please.....

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RE: A completely different view on climate change - 10/17/2007 4:09:12 PM

nyrisa

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I am in Florida, and I vote for cooling, also. Although that will certainly increase the number and duration of the "snowbirds" who visit us. Maybe I should opt for warming, and just move to Canada? I think Canada is beautiful, anyway, and isn't it about time that they host Floridians, for a change?

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RE: A completely different view on climate change - 10/17/2007 4:24:23 PM

wendywoo

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Who says lower temperatures will result in less food production, and higher temperatures in more?

There are parts of the Earth which are unproductive due to excess cold, and parts due to excess heat. A general change in climate will simply make some of the unproductive areas productive, and some of the productive ones unproductive. Net result: no change.

< Message edited by wendywoo -- 10/17/2007 4:25:00 PM >

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RE: A completely different view on climate change - 10/17/2007 4:31:37 PM

DCWoody

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Compare the ease with which humans can survive at the equator to the survivability of the poles, if it gets cooler we will be able to grow less food (on land at least), if it gets warmer, plantlife, including crops, will become more widespread.

quote:

ORIGINAL: wendywoo

Who says lower temperatures will result in less food production, and higher temperatures in more?

There are parts of the Earth which are unproductive due to excess cold, and parts due to excess heat. A general change in climate will simply make some of the unproductive areas productive, and some of the productive ones unproductive. Net result: no change.

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RE: A completely different view on climate change - 10/17/2007 4:33:36 PM

Rule

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During an ice age water is sequestered in the ice, hence immense deserts result. This is a geological fact. When the Earth heats up more water evaporates from the oceans, hence there is more precipitation that is not sequestered as ice and the deserts decrease in size.

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RE: A completely different view on climate change - 10/17/2007 5:11:02 PM

leakylee

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i am with y'all. after the nearly zero rain this summer, the almost constant triple digits for over a month (granted heat index), cooling is all good down this way. bring it on..

lee

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RE: A completely different view on climate change - 10/17/2007 5:16:34 PM

DCWoody

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FYI cooling=less rain, warming=more rain.

quote:

ORIGINAL: leakylee

i am with y'all. after the nearly zero rain this summer, the almost constant triple digits for over a month (granted heat index), cooling is all good down this way. bring it on..

lee

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RE: A completely different view on climate change - 10/17/2007 5:47:04 PM

nyrisa

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If Florida warms up much more, it won't be liveable at all (by my standards, anyway).

And wouldn't an increase in temperature cause worsening of the desert areas? Granted that increased evaporation leads to increased precipitation, but what is to say that the rain will fall where it is needed most? We could just as easily have the same deserts, plus other areas flooded frequently and left useless for crops, I'd think. Plus, if the rain is contaminated by sulfuric acid, that won't be a healthy rain for crops or sealife, either.

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RE: A completely different view on climate change - 10/17/2007 5:51:11 PM

DCWoody

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I'm not sure how sulphuric acid is related, but the short answer to your question is no, global warming would result in far less desert area than there is now.

In Florida you're at risk if the sea level rises though, I'd be more worried about too much water than too little if I were you.

quote:

ORIGINAL: nyrisa

If Florida warms up much more, it won't be liveable at all (by my standards, anyway).

And wouldn't an increase in temperature cause worsening of the desert areas? Granted that increased evaporation leads to increased precipitation, but what is to say that the rain will fall where it is needed most? We could just as easily have the same deserts, plus other areas flooded frequently and left useless for crops, I'd think. Plus, if the rain is contaminated by sulfuric acid, that won't be a healthy rain for crops or sealife, either.

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RE: A completely different view on climate change - 10/17/2007 5:54:44 PM

luckydog1

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DC, the scary part is that Mankind now has the power to attempt to intentionally guide Global Temperature. Consider the fights in a single office over where to set the thermostat compared to the entire planet. Wars could be fought over this stuff. There will be winners and losers either way (heating or chilling). To your OP...Personally I live in Alaska, and would be ok with a few degrees colder.

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RE: A completely different view on climate change - 10/17/2007 5:55:39 PM

nyrisa

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I was already making plans to move to Canada, if it warms up too much, so that eventuality is covered. *G*

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