> German scientists have discovered a new source of methane, a greenhouse gas that is second only to carbon dioxide in its impact on climate change.
>
> The culprits are plants.
[From here.][1] It makes me think we should maybe just slow down and keep improving our data before we go making any big changes. Besides, even if global warming really hits, it seems we have a good chance of making it another [55 million years][3]. That’s not too bad. :)
[1]: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060111/sc_nm/environment_methane_dc
[3]: http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2006/01/ancient_answers_to_current_cli.php
“slow down”? An article I read on the matter points out that best estimates (and they admit the research is as of yet very preliminary) puts the total potential for plant-sourced methane production at somewhere around 10-20% of current levels, which are almost certainly much higher than what they were some 200 years ago… so the issue isn’t at all ameliorated by this new data.
Simply put: I quite certainly believe that SUV’s are a major contributor to the most excellent winter (warm and rainy) we are experiencing here in Niagara. Oh wait… that actually means that on a personal level I agree.
YEAH! What Kenny says. SLOW DOWN ON THE CHANGES!!!
Yeah, really mild here this year, too.
What I mean is maybe two years ago we didn’t have this fact. Some thought “Ooo, man is causing global warming”. Then comes along evidence which says we can pass 10-20% of our theoretical evil to plants. Some were prepared to take action on the old data. The new data does in fact reduce man’s suggested impact. We were told we caused X. Now it’s X – (10-20%).
But the larger point is the worst case scenario reportedly happened 55 million years ago. And here I am clicking away on a computer. Earth apparently can do this itself. And given time, I’d bet it happens again. And Earth recovers.
It seems to me the ‘science’ of global warming is tainted with religion-ish ecologicalism. I’m just cautious about some of the assertions, and skeptical of many of the cures. Go ahead and kill the iconic SUV. A volcano will come along and produce 100 years worth of gases in one event.
And you’ll be stuck without a ride. :)