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Lethbridge, AB
T1K 7H7
Phone: (403) 328-1804
Friday, January 21, 2011
The Editor
The Lethbridge Herald
P.O. Box 670
Lethbridge, AB, T1J 3Z7
Thanks are due Stephen McGlenn for pointing out that the science-based concept of carbon dioxide (CO2) induced global warming has morphed into a mindset that (CO2) emissions are the cause of almost all the world’s problems. (Tackling climate change requires system change, 11/01/18) How has this irrational position developed? A review is in order.
Scientists postulated, in the early 1800s that gases in the atmosphere trap outgoing radiation from the earth’s surface and raise global temperature. By the end of that century they noted fossil fuel burning might add to the atmospheres CO2 content increasing the now demonstrated warming effect another small amount. Scientists continued to monitor this, establishing a methodical system to measure CO2 in the atmosphere about the middle of the 1900s. Although increasing CO2 was demonstrated, a corresponding increase in global temperature remained elusive. It is difficult to establish the global temperature. CO2 induced changes are so small they can be hidden by changes from other causes – for example changes in global water circulation known as El Niño/La Niña) In the 1980s researchers thought the CO2 induced warming trend would be readily detectable in 10 or 20 years. A connection to CO2 is still hard to pin down.
I’ve noticed a trend in recent years to attribute all kinds of weather events to the effects of carbon dioxide. This has been accompanied by a change of terminology from “global warming” to “climate change”. Apparently those impatient with science’s inability to demonstrate an alarming degree of global warming are speculatively seeking more alarm bells to ring.
Mr. McGlenn now reports from his experience at the United Nations meeting in Cancun that most of the world’s problems, including indigenous rights and gender issues, are linked to carbon dioxide emissions and that we need “system change” in Canada. Indeed.
It’s time for a “timeout” on this evolving escalation of the evils of carbon dioxide emissions. It’s time to stop pandering to special interest groups that tie their cause, however irrelevant, to CO2 emissions. It’s time for our elected representatives to step back from this circus, refocus on the basic issue, and assume a leadership role in getting the United Nations to do the same.
Yours truly,
Duane Pendergast