Add new comment

Climate Change Roundup - The stakes are too high

There are still a few stragglers out there who keep clinging to the belief Climate Change is a hoax, a plot by liberals and caused by natural cycles of the planet. It doesn't matter to them that the scientific community, data and evidence are almost conclusively against them. Thankfully for us all, there is a new incoming president of the US who does trust in science, data and rational thinking.

"My presidency will mark a new chapter in America’s leadership on climate change that will strengthen our security and create millions of new jobs in the process."

"And once I take office, you can be sure that the United States will once again engage vigorously in these negotiations, and help lead the world toward a new era of global cooperation on climate change. Now is the time to confront this challenge once and for all. Delay is no longer an option. Denial is no longer an acceptable response. The stakes are too high. The consequences, too serious."

Obama's speech to the Governors Global Climate Summit.

Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________

The economic crisis has slowed down growth and economic activity around the World, leading to a huge drop in oil prices and causing concern that the movement towards cleaner greener energy would suffer. Fortunately for us, Obama recognizes that the need is urgent, the jobs to be created are in the millions and that research and development in it will permit the US to continue being a leader in the decades ahead.

Renewable energy is the future, it is the only way that gives mankind a future. Here in St. Maarten we have been tied to oil by Roy Marlin and GEBE, we spent $32 million last year for 2 new heavy oil generators and still we hear nothing on talks with the geo thermal developers in Nevis and nothing to encourage solar use. In some third work countries there are usually kickbacks and back handers for such big deals, it makes you wonder doesn't it?

Certainly I wonder, every time I drive over Cay Hill, about the smoke and fumes I see wafting towards and around Billy Folly. I wonder about the health of the people in the downwind and the fumes more generators will produce. Has any air quality study has been done, I doubt it, perhaps GEBE should be forced to pay for one.

Now that there is high powered political will behind cleaner energy, the future for our planet and our children is looking a little brighter. Damage has been done, we will be suffering the effects of that damage for decades to come, but at least now we have hope and a chance to contain it.

Denialists are tiresome, climate change is real and the evidence for it grows day by day. Imagine the planet as a basketball, paint it with a coat of varnish and imagine that is our atmosphere. If they can't connect the dots then what can I do, except ignore them. At the very least, they should embrace clean energy and technology, for the jobs it will create, for the cleaner planet we will leave our children and most of all, for the great step forwards it would take mankind and our civilization.

To those who deny Global Warming I say you don't have to believe in the CO2 thing if you don't want to, but at least recognize the logic and benefits of moving ourselves forwards with cleaner energy. Recognize that even if these pollutants aren't causing it, they are toxic to ourselves and the environment and cutting back on them can only be a good thing. And please, look at the science, look at the data and just imagine, what if you are wrong. I don't have any problem with being wrong myself, the World will be a better place. How about you?.

Below are a bunch of stories I saved up over the past weeks, some even earlier, that I though you all might be interested in, please feel free to add your own related finds in the comments below.

Caribdude

Caltech Studying Keys To Urban Hydroponic Farming, Roof Farms - 21st November 2008

Senator announces two climate bills to be introduced in January - 20th November 2008

NBC Confirms That "Clean Coal" is an Oxymoron - 18th November 2008

Tropical ocean dead zones could increase 50 percent by 2050 - 18th November 2008

Earth needs all the friends it can get - 17th November 2008

Effects of ocean acidification will come 30 years earlier than expected - 11th november 2008

Facing extinction from rising seas, Maldives to buy homeland abroad - 10th November 2008

NYT - Al Gore - The Climate for Change - 9th November 2008

Mini nuclear plants to power 20,000 homes - 9th November 2008

World's most efficient solar cells created - 24th October 2008

World is facing a natural resources crisis worse than financial crunch - 29th October 2008