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Climate Change : A Way Out Of The Mess?
“It is the biggest contributor to climate change. Now chemists are hoping to convert carbon dioxide into a useful fuel, with a little help from the sun.
If they succeed, it will be possible to recycle the greenhouse gas produced by burning fossil fuels. The work could also lead to a way for future Mars missions to generate fuel for their return journey from carbon dioxide in the planet’s atmosphere.
Chemists have long hoped to find a method of bringing the combustion of fuel full circle by turning CO2 back into useful hydrocarbons….”
5 Responses to “Climate Change : A Way Out Of The Mess?”
As this post may bring out those who question global warming, one thing I’ve always wondered is WHY those who question global warming science also seem opposed to taking ANY action to address the problem? It seems to be agreed by everyone that CO2 MIGHT be causing temperature increases. Given that there is at least a possibility (and many say it is a certainty) that CO2 produced by man is warming that planet unnaturally, what can we do about it that even the skeptics would agree to? The arguments against raising the CAFE standards for automobiles is that it might hurt the auto makers, but what about making a push to promote energy conservation, such as what California did during the energy crisis? How about increasing funding for alternative energy? What about promoting nuclear energy? Cleaner coal? It seems that there should be some room to compromise here, but I’d be interested in hearing the opinions of those who disagree.
Nice list Ryan . Notice how many of them are solutions using someone else’s dollar? How about one which includes Ryan spending his lifesaving’s to start a solar energy or other green company?
I’m one of those who doubts the validity of global warming. The planet has always had swings equal to or greater than what we are currently experiencing. But I still have invested in geothermal and am exploring wind and solar solutions. Panels are continuing to improve and drop in cost making them a part of an energy solution. Note I didn’t say alternative or replacement.
By the way , I will continue to drive my gas guzzling SUV .
Denialists always cite the natural variations in climate. But we know the causes of most, if not all of those swings. None of them apply to the current rate of warming. But they continue to say the same things over and over again.
There are multiple references to carbon isotopic variations pointing out the bulk of the increased CO2 in the air is from “fossil” sources (check out these two blogs of mine: Ice Cores and SciAm Rundown for the references). If these scientists are right, then there can be no logical argument against human influence on CO2. And if the science of CO2 having a major influence on global heating is also right, then our civilization is responsible. Period, end of story.
I didn’t care much about global warming until making three trips to the Antarctic Peninsula, where temperatures have risen faster than in other parts of the world. Having read everything about global warming that I could find since then, I’m personally well convinced of the C02 theory as the most likely reason for the changes, and even without reading the studies I would defer to people who spend their lives researching these issues. However, there are many people out there who either choose not to believe that CO2 is at fault, or have not investigated the story and are listening to those who promote alternate theories. They’re the people I’m curious about, and for better or worse they’re also the ones that we need to find some way to compromise with.
As to the comment about “Ryan spending his lifesaving’s to start a solar energy or other green company”, I’m doing what I can by using less electricity and driving a more efficient car, but it’s naive to think that any real solution can be achieved unless there is more than just individuals taking action – would the ozone hole be closing if we had relied on consumer action to phase out CFCs? If the argument against doing anything about global warming is a purely economic one (“Notice how many of them are solutions using someone else’s dollar”) surely there must be at least SOMETHING we can agree on doing – promoting conservation, and passing legislation to encourage conservation can be done without spending tax dollars. I understand that for whatever reason people question the danger of global warming, but there still must be some things that we can agree to do to fight what at least could be a major problem.