Comments on: Time to Block Out the Sun? http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/ Finding the keys to the future…and trying not to lose them in the mess. Thu, 24 May 2012 02:38:00 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: rey http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-8300 rey Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:18:29 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/#comment-8300 The earth is actually getting COLDER. Record snowfall. Really cold. Global warming is a lie. Idiots like Obame the uber dolt just want to play God by blocking out the Sun. I hope they do and you have to live with the knowledge that you're a total moron. People like you who think you have more control over nature than nature itself of God or whatever all deserve to live in a world with no Sun and I hope your new god Hussein gives you exactly that. The earth is actually getting COLDER. Record snowfall. Really cold. Global warming is a lie. Idiots like Obame the uber dolt just want to play God by blocking out the Sun. I hope they do and you have to live with the knowledge that you’re a total moron. People like you who think you have more control over nature than nature itself of God or whatever all deserve to live in a world with no Sun and I hope your new god Hussein gives you exactly that.

]]> By: TJ http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-8299 TJ Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:04:08 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/#comment-8299 I have to strongly disagree with one of the posts above - yes geo-engineering would (will) be hugely expensive. But that is precisely what is so brilliant about the "real politic" being played out - 1. there is no issue (we keep making money) 2. lets get energy independence (we need subsidies to make more money) 3. OMG its very bad - rally around the "cause" (remove all the hindering regulation - we need to make a LOT more money) 4. that's it - we are f...ed - lets block out the sun (we will make sooo much money saving you - the starving masses) 5. now thats its dark and cool and the ice age is just a decade away enjoy the comforts (we make ever more money selling air filters and asthma pills) 6. well apparently the nasty insects could not live out in the dark/cold and have all moved inside your clothing (can we interest you in the newest patented ..) sorry if I got carried away ... we are not going to see any of this ( our babies will ) cheerful as always TJ I have to strongly disagree with one of the posts above – yes geo-engineering would (will) be hugely expensive.
But that is precisely what is so brilliant about the “real politic” being played out -
1. there is no issue (we keep making money)
2. lets get energy independence (we need subsidies to make more money)
3. OMG its very bad – rally around the “cause” (remove all the hindering regulation – we need to make a LOT more money)
4. that’s it – we are f…ed – lets block out the sun (we will make sooo much money saving you – the starving masses)
5. now thats its dark and cool and the ice age is just a decade away enjoy the comforts (we make ever more money selling air filters and asthma pills)
6. well apparently the nasty insects could not live out in the dark/cold and have all moved inside your clothing (can we interest you in the newest patented ..)

sorry if I got carried away … we are not going to see any of this ( our babies will )

cheerful as always TJ

]]> By: Sharon http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-8298 Sharon Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:12:12 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/#comment-8298 No, I'm not sure I'd bet money on that one either. As Dmitry Orlov says "boondoggles will set us free" ;-). And having grownup around Boston's Big Dig, I'm certainly not betting *against* corruption. Gotta find yourself another sucker ;-). Yeah, I know - the tipping points are coming up fast, aren't they. Ugh. Sharon No, I’m not sure I’d bet money on that one either. As Dmitry Orlov says “boondoggles will set us free” ;-) . And having grownup around Boston’s Big Dig, I’m certainly not betting *against* corruption. Gotta find yourself another sucker ;-) .

Yeah, I know – the tipping points are coming up fast, aren’t they. Ugh.

Sharon

]]> By: Greenpa http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-8297 Greenpa Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:40:41 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/#comment-8297 :-) and here I thought I'd been so lucid. What I was suggesting a bet on was: geo-engineering projects WILL be set in motion- but the level of corruption involved in these hugely expensive programs will be so high that the projects will never actually be installed- thus avoiding all the collateral damages. Good thing, huh? I really don't think we have the ability, as a species, to launch such huge projects successfully right now. I agree the fear level is rising- but really still not fast enough to generate useful action. The news a couple days ago that you can now sail a ship all the way around the Arctic Ocean (for the first time in 120,000 years) should have absolutely terrified everyone on the planet- but it's hard to find it mentioned anywhere. Not to add any angst here- but- the responsible climate modelers are looking at the arctic now and saying it might be totally ice free- from July through August - in just 5 years. That's going to do very very big things to the global climate, and none of the options are at all good. :-) and here I thought I’d been so lucid. What I was suggesting a bet on was: geo-engineering projects WILL be set in motion- but the level of corruption involved in these hugely expensive programs will be so high that the projects will never actually be installed- thus avoiding all the collateral damages. Good thing, huh? I really don’t think we have the ability, as a species, to launch such huge projects successfully right now.

I agree the fear level is rising- but really still not fast enough to generate useful action. The news a couple days ago that you can now sail a ship all the way around the Arctic Ocean (for the first time in 120,000 years) should have absolutely terrified everyone on the planet- but it’s hard to find it mentioned anywhere.

Not to add any angst here- but- the responsible climate modelers are looking at the arctic now and saying it might be totally ice free- from July through August – in just 5 years. That’s going to do very very big things to the global climate, and none of the options are at all good.

]]> By: ann & tim http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-8296 ann & tim Tue, 02 Sep 2008 16:33:36 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/#comment-8296 I saw the various references to this recommendation yesterday as well on the climate ark newsfeed (www.climateark.org). It was for me as well, one of the most depressing pieces of news in a long time. At first I thought it was along the lines of your scenario 1, a techno fix that allows us to continue with our current wicked ways. Then I started to think about it more and realized that it is more of a last ditch effort of people (scientists) desperate to stop a runaway train. And then I got really angry and depressed and my sleep last night was filled with images of mass extinction, etc. All day I've been having conversations in my mind with "the other side" trying to come up with arguments that might bring them on board with the goal and urgency. One thing I did find interesting with yesterday's news release is that Climate ark usually runs about 25 articles a day from news agencies around the world. Yesterday there were 50 references to climate change. Many from Australia and the UK (guardian in particular). The US news just doesn't contribute as much. I saw the various references to this recommendation yesterday as well on the climate ark newsfeed (www.climateark.org). It was for me as well, one of the most depressing pieces of news in a long time. At first I thought it was along the lines of your scenario 1, a techno fix that allows us to continue with our current wicked ways. Then I started to think about it more and realized that it is more of a last ditch effort of people (scientists) desperate to stop a runaway train. And then I got really angry and depressed and my sleep last night was filled with images of mass extinction, etc. All day I’ve been having conversations in my mind with “the other side” trying to come up with arguments that might bring them on board with the goal and urgency.

One thing I did find interesting with yesterday’s news release is that Climate ark usually runs about 25 articles a day from news agencies around the world. Yesterday there were 50 references to climate change. Many from Australia and the UK (guardian in particular). The US news just doesn’t contribute as much.

]]> By: Sharon http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-8295 Sharon Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:47:39 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/#comment-8295 Umm, are you asking me to bet that we're not really going to block out the sun, short of the sudden coming-to-life of Monty Burns? I don't think so - I save my money for things I don't think are sure things. I think what's interesting about this piece is that despite the fact that engineers like imagining cool things, the real worry is the level of fear that underlies this piece. Sharon Umm, are you asking me to bet that we’re not really going to block out the sun, short of the sudden coming-to-life of Monty Burns? I don’t think so – I save my money for things I don’t think are sure things.

I think what’s interesting about this piece is that despite the fact that engineers like imagining cool things, the real worry is the level of fear that underlies this piece.

Sharon

]]> By: Greenpa http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-8294 Greenpa Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:41:24 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/#comment-8294 Cheer up, Brian! Fings could be wuss! :-) One of my all time favorites. Cheer up, Sharon! Most geo-engineering schemes are SO expensive- that (drum roll please; major prediction:) the money involved will attract all the sharks- and the actual engineering event will not ever happen- it will be "coming soon, technical difficulties, you know" forever - while the money just keeps disappearing down into the mudslide. Wanna bet? Cheer up, Brian! Fings could be wuss! :-) One of my all time favorites.

Cheer up, Sharon! Most geo-engineering schemes are SO expensive- that (drum roll please; major prediction:) the money involved will attract all the sharks- and the actual engineering event will not ever happen- it will be “coming soon, technical difficulties, you know” forever – while the money just keeps disappearing down into the mudslide.

Wanna bet?

]]> By: Lynnet http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-8293 Lynnet Tue, 02 Sep 2008 14:02:09 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/#comment-8293 The latest conservative buzz phrase is Global Whining. By this they mean the liberal-fomented myth of global warming. I've even seen bumper stickers "Stop Global Whining" plastered on giant SUVs. These people are personally offended by any suggestion at all that they should actually cut back on their consumption. "They're going to take away our pickups and MAKE US LIVE LIKE EUROPEANS." (obviously a fate far worse than death; and just which THEY are they talking about?) This crowd used to say that the scientists were in major disagreement about global warming. Now that practically every reputable scientist in the world is on board with it, they are saying, "It's a religious issue for the liberals; they've stopped paying attention to facts. It's just a scam to get research money." If there's not enough sand to stick their heads into, they'll dig a big hole and use that. Sometimes I despair. But all you can do is keep going regardless. The latest conservative buzz phrase is Global Whining. By this they mean the liberal-fomented myth of global warming.

I’ve even seen bumper stickers “Stop Global Whining” plastered on giant SUVs.

These people are personally offended by any suggestion at all that they should actually cut back on their consumption. “They’re going to take away our pickups and MAKE US LIVE LIKE EUROPEANS.” (obviously a fate far worse than death; and just which THEY are they talking about?)

This crowd used to say that the scientists were in major disagreement about global warming. Now that practically every reputable scientist in the world is on board with it, they are saying, “It’s a religious issue for the liberals; they’ve stopped paying attention to facts. It’s just a scam to get research money.”

If there’s not enough sand to stick their heads into, they’ll dig a big hole and use that. Sometimes I despair. But all you can do is keep going regardless.

]]> By: Rosa http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-8292 Rosa Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:41:33 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/#comment-8292 I've read that newly-established trees do a lot more to suck up carbon than already-mature ones, just because they're growing so much faster. And we're lucky in the temperate areas - we have a lot of deforestation we can reverse. Of course, first we have to figure out what the heck will still grow here - the great northern forest is having pest, misplaced-water (can't even call it drought - half the time it's dryer than the trees need and half the time it's too much water) and species-drift issues. This weekend I heard a state forester talking about how many seedlings they've been losing every spring - almost 99% - because of low snow cover, deer, and no rain when they need it. I’ve read that newly-established trees do a lot more to suck up carbon than already-mature ones, just because they’re growing so much faster. And we’re lucky in the temperate areas – we have a lot of deforestation we can reverse.

Of course, first we have to figure out what the heck will still grow here – the great northern forest is having pest, misplaced-water (can’t even call it drought – half the time it’s dryer than the trees need and half the time it’s too much water) and species-drift issues.

This weekend I heard a state forester talking about how many seedlings they’ve been losing every spring – almost 99% – because of low snow cover, deer, and no rain when they need it.

]]> By: Stephen B. http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/comment-page-1/#comment-8291 Stephen B. Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:39:52 +0000 http://sharonastyk.com/2008/09/01/time-to-block-out-the-sun/#comment-8291 It's not exactly related to this Global Warming essay, but rather more tied into things such as the Mommy Wars and work subjects discussed here in the past: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/opinion/02conley.html "Perhaps for the first time since we’ve kept track of such things, higher-income folks work more hours than lower-wage earners do. Since 1980, the number of men in the bottom fifth of the income ladder who work long hours (over 49 hours per week) has dropped by half, according to a study by the economists Peter Kuhn and Fernando Lozano. But among the top fifth of earners, long weeks have increased by 80 percent. "This is a stunning moment in economic history: At one time we worked hard so that someday we (or our children) wouldn’t have to. Today, the more we earn, the more we work, since the opportunity cost of not working is all the greater (and since the higher we go, the more relatively deprived we feel)." It’s not exactly related to this Global Warming essay, but rather more tied into things such as the Mommy Wars and work subjects discussed here in the past:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/opinion/02conley.html

“Perhaps for the first time since we’ve kept track of such things, higher-income folks work more hours than lower-wage earners do. Since 1980, the number of men in the bottom fifth of the income ladder who work long hours (over 49 hours per week) has dropped by half, according to a study by the economists Peter Kuhn and Fernando Lozano. But among the top fifth of earners, long weeks have increased by 80 percent.

“This is a stunning moment in economic history: At one time we worked hard so that someday we (or our children) wouldn’t have to. Today, the more we earn, the more we work, since the opportunity cost of not working is all the greater (and since the higher we go, the more relatively deprived we feel).”

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