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Robert -- Excellent (surprising!) article that got by the L.A.
Times censors, on how and why sunspots warm the planet more that
solar output would suggest is possible.
Michael Jenkins, J.D., CPA
1 Sep 09 – (Excerpts) – “During what scientist call
the Maunder Minimum -- a period of solar inactivity (no sunspots) from
1645 to 1715 -- the world experienced the worst of the cold streak
dubbed the Little Ice Age. At Christmastime, Londoners ice skated on the
Thames, and New Yorkers (then New Amsterdamers) sometimes walked over
the Hudson from Manhattan to Staten Island.
I agree.
“A new study in the American Geophysical Union's journal Eos suggests
that we may be heading into another quiet phase similar to the Maunder
Minimum.
I agree.
“Meanwhile, the journal Science reports that a study led by the National
Center for Atmospheric Research, or NCAR, has finally figured out why
increased sunspots have a dramatic effect on the weather, increasing
temperatures more than the increase in solar energy should explain.
Apparently, sunspots heat the stratosphere, which in turn amplifies the
warming of the climate.
I agree.
“Last month…Oregon state researchers claimed to settle the debate over
what caused and ended the last Ice Age. Increased solar radiation coming
from slight changes in the Earth's rotation, not greenhouse gas levels,
were to blame.
I agree.
“… what I find interesting is the eagerness of the authors and the media
to make it very clear that this doesn't have any particular significance
for the debate over climate change. "For those wondering how the [NCAR]
study bears on global warming, Gerald Meehl, lead author on the study,
says that it doesn't -- at least not directly"… "Global warming is a
long-term trend, Dr. Meehl says.
“…This overlooks the fact that solar cycles are permanent "periodic
occurrences," a.k.a. a very long-term trend.
I agree.
“… such humility and skepticism seem to manifest themselves only when
the data point to something other than the mainstream narrative about
global warming. For instance, when we have terribly hot weather, or bad
hurricanes, the media see portentous proof of climate change. When we
don't, it's a moment to teach the masses how weather and climate are
very different things.
I agree that that’s how we’re being
treated. But no one is supposed to notice.
“…we live in a moment when we are told, nay lectured and harangued, that
if we use the wrong toilet paper or eat the wrong cereal, we are frying
the planet. But the sun? Well, that's a distraction. Don't you dare
forget your reusable shopping bags, but feel free to pay no attention to
that burning ball of gas in the sky -- it's just the only thing that
prevents the planet from being a lifeless ball of ice engulfed in total
darkness. Never mind that sunspot activity doubled during the 20th
century, when the bulk of global warming has taken place…
I like that: "it's just the only thing that prevents the planet
from being a lifeless ball of ice engulfed in total darkness.”
“…What does it say that the modelers have only just now discovered how
sunspots make the Earth warmer?
“(Something) tells me that maybe we should study a bit more before we
spend billions to "solve" a problem we don't understand so well.
See entire great article:
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-goldberg1-2009sep01,0,2797425.column
Thanks to Michael Jenkins, J.D., CPA for this link |