30 Fairmont Park
Lane S
Lethbridge, AB T1K 7H7
Phone: (403) 328-1804
Monday, May 07, 2012
The Editor
The Lethbridge Herald
P.O. Box 670
Lethbridge, AB, T1J 3Z7
Re: Galt Museum’s Climate Change Exhibit
I was on extended travel when controversy erupted over the Galt Museum’s initiatives on climate change (Exhibit a hot topic, 07 February). Trevor Carroll had made a presentation to city council indicating the “show offers a biased, one-sided view”.
I’ve since had a chance to visit the museum and view the exhibit. I’ve also listened to the audio of the Marion and Robin White presentation to SACPA which was done in conjunction with a presentation at the museum. Mr. Carroll’s concerns are well-founded.
The museum presentation does provide some interesting and useful information on long term climate change and the many factors involved. Unfortunately discussion of the basic issue of atmospheric warming due to human releases of carbon dioxide is inadequate.
For example Panel 7 asserts that “Without Recycling, Earth Would Freeze: Without the constant exchange of carbon between the atmosphere, the surface of the planet and the rocks within it, the earth would soon freeze since the energy received from the sun is not sufficient to warm the planet”. That strange statement, nearly irrelevant to the scientific case for greenhouse like warming, would not pass review by the most ardent supporters. The major role of water vapour on the heat transfer characteristics of the atmosphere is also downplayed.
The White’s presentation simply jumps over the basic warming issue, to repeat rampant wild speculation on a wide range of disasters which might result from additional CO2 in the atmosphere. They did not even attempt to show an evidence based correlation between increasing CO2 content and warming. That is a difficult task. Maybe they just didn’t want to tackle it.
Fortunately, SACPA’s goal is to be a neutral organization encouraging expression of divergent viewpoints. They are providing an opportunity to hear from someone who is sceptical that increasing carbon dioxide will lead to the disasters we hear so much about. Dr. Tim Ball, from the International Climate Science Coalition, will speak to SACPA at noon on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at its regular location, 1715 Mayor Magrath Dr S.
Yours truly,
Duane Pendergast