Climate change

[Royd]

Sure. But this time, the warming part of the cycle is happening at a much faster pace than in previous cycles. That's the issue and conundrum, because so many human lives (not to mention other living things) are being and will be affected by the physical changes to weather and environment that the warming is triggering, and which will become more intense. That bizarre things could happen in our own lifetimes, and not to some distant descendents thousands of years in the future, should make us sit up and take notice!

So, which is more harmful to the life of every creature on this planet, as a whole? Warmth or cold? What would happen to our food supply produced in the Great Plains and the Ohio River Valley if ten months out of every year the average temp was 50 or even 60 degrees as opposed to it being 2 degrees above its current average?

 

[GardenerGal]

Quote:
Good questions, Royd. Warm/hot and cool/cold climate shifts aren't so much "more harmful to the life of every creature on this planet," as they are catalysts (or reagents) to the increase in living environment for the species that evolved in one climate, over those of the other climate. For example, when climate gets warm enough so that winter temperatures keep a certain constant, plants and animals from such climates can migrate north and establish themselves. Meanwhile, native species that require cold winters start to succumb to the warmer temps. Our sugar maples, a mainstay of New England agriculture - the sugar/syrup industry - are being "pushed" farther north. The more southern stands of the maple are showing signs of stress, including more susceptibility to disease and pests such as thrips, and our sugarbush (commercial sugar maple stands) is in danger of dying off. Meanwhile a local person found a black widow spider in his garage, last year (New England was outside this species's range, in previous centuries). Garden plants such as crape myrtle and camellias, which once could never endure a winter here on the north coast of Masachusetts, are now overwintering. This may seem somewhat innocuous, but these are just examples of small incremental changes in climate. Over time, as the changes are more pronounced, we could see the mass extinction of thousands of species that require cold winters and cool summers, and the range-expansion and population explosion of hot-climate species, not to mention the year-round survival of "pest" and disease-carrying ones. Malaria in Maine? Could happen. And, a couple degrees difference now may not affect crops a lot, in terms of season, but it will increase the likelihood of increased pest problems and the need to use even more pesiticides... toxic to other living things and also capable of triggering escalating resistance in those pests. It's another can of worms!

 

[OldGuy43]

I usually end these kind of arguments with one question, "Assuming that you are correct and the primary cause of 'global warming' is man burning fossil fuels what are YOU(!) willing to do about it? Give up your air conditioning? How about your car and power boat? Or your TV, telephone and computer. How about electric lights, power tools and street lights? Maybe all the products that have to be trucked in where you live? How would you feel about population control as a solution? After all, the human body emits more heat per cubic meter than the surface of the Sun. The more people the hotter it gets."

At that point someone usually suggests solar power, wind power or some other pie-in-the-sky technology that shows promise in the far distant future, but is not a viable alternative today. Once in a while someone even suggests cold fusion as a solution.

Please read the tag line in my signature, before responding.

No, I am not trolling, so don't try and prove your point by reporting me for disagreeing with you. Play fair and give me a well reasoned and thought out answer as to why you should not do something personally about global warming. Oh, by the way buying carbon credits does not solve the big problem. That just moves it to another part of Spaceship Earth.

 

[GardenerGal]

Hey, Old Guy, I didn't say that humans are the main reason, only that that is a prevailing and compelling theory, based on what research has been turning up for decades.

As for what WE or I intend to do... I'm not about to commit suicide to reduce the carbon footprint. I didn't ask to be here, but now that I am I hope to live a full life. I do minimize my effect as best I can, but like the wild creatures that live both outside and inside my house, we do what we are wired to do to survive.

I have minimal electric appliances, which I use sparingly. I don't drive aimlessly, only for what is necessary, and I walk whenever reasonable. I make sure my catalytic converter functions properly. I consume very little for a Western person. I compost and recycle, and the actual trash I put out for collection is maybe one small grocery bagful every 2 or 3 weeks. And it's mostly biodegradable. I minimize water use. I avoid buying products in non-recyclable and/or excessive packaging; in fact, I buy very little except basic necessities.
As a professional gardener, I use only organic/natural fertilizers and minimal (plant-based) pesticides -- usually just soapy water with vegetable oil, and milky spore, and encourage natural ecosystems to develop and thrive in my customers' garden soils. No invasive, exotic speces are planted.

Etc.

But no one, nothing that lives, leaves without leaving some kind of footprint. That's life.

 

[chickened]

Oldguy, don't you know you just move into low/no income housing and let the gubberment take care of you and it will be "all better"

 

[OldGuy43]

Oldguy, don't you know you just move into low/no income housing and let the gubberment take care of you and it will be "all better"

Is that what I've been doing wrong all these years? Oh well, to late now.

 

[chickened]

I usually end these kind of arguments with one question, "Assuming that you are correct and the primary cause of 'global warming' is man burning fossil fuels what are YOU(!) willing to do about it? Give up your air conditioning? How about your car and power boat? Or your TV, telephone and computer. How about electric lights, power tools and street lights? Maybe all the products that have to be trucked in where you live? How would you feel about population control as a solution? After all, the human body emits more heat per cubic meter than the surface of the Sun. The more people the hotter it gets."

At that point someone usually suggests solar power, wind power or some other pie-in-the-sky technology that shows promise in the far distant future, but is not a viable alternative today. Once in a while someone even suggest cold fusion as a solution.

Please read the tag line in my signature, before responding.

No, I am not trolling, so don't try and prove your point by reporting me for disagreeing with you. Play fair and give me a well reasoned and thought out answer as to why you should not do something personally about global warming. Oh, by the way buying carbon credits does not solve the big problem. That just moves it to another part of Spaceship Earth.

I like the idea of splicing a genetic trait in humans that allow us to grow fur and have summer and winter coats where we would only need food and not housing. Hairy women now that is attractive.

 

[OldGuy43]

I like the idea of splicing a genetic trait in humans that allow us to grow fur and have summer and winter coats where we would only need food and not housing. Hairy women now that is attractive.

Better yet; Gills. That way we could live in the ocean and we'd have to keep it clean.

 

[Royd]

I was considering buying some land in Ontario for an orange orchard until Global Warming when south.

 

[OldGuy43]

I was considering buying some land in Ontario for an orange orchid until Global Warming when south.