1) There hasn't been one landfall hurricane in the U.S. in over 7 years; a "record".
Incorrect!
The truth is: there hasn't been a
cat 3 or stronger hurricane make land fall in the US in 7 years. I suspect you altered this statement to help prove your point and I would like to use this as an example of what is wrong with this thread currently. Misinformation and the use of insults to try and mitigate perceived embarrassment, resulting in a wizzing contest (
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/related-topics/91234-global-warming-133.html#post3059204)
There have been many unprecedented weather events in recent years but it has already been established here that these are not necessarily relevant to either argument. It's the average temperature rise, and climate that is unpredictable, causing crop failures and subsequent food shortages. This is cause for concern.
When people start starving they get desperate, they exercise poor judgment and that is much more disconcerting then an average temperature rise of 1.5 degrees over 10 years. People fighting over food and water are much more likely to affect us and our economy than any specific weather event.
This is what makes climate change worthy of several thousand posts
and hundreds of insults . The climate discussion is something we should appreciate and participate in regardless of who we vote for.
No one knows what the future holds, doesn't matter who's journals you read or what pundit you listen too. Furthermore, if you can't trust anyone who is human to tell the truth ( catdriver
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/related-topics/91234-global-warming-149.html#post3078753) all you have to go on is your short and long term memory. Apparently some of us remember the cold days and some of us remember the hot days.
I am of the opinion that the climate is changing and it's getting warmer, although slowly, I see it as problem. I am also of the opinion that there are plenty of us who are keen enough to make some dollars promoting, or using climate change and mans potential role in same to promote profits. It's the "American way" and I have no problem with that, let's just not get confused and label free enterprise the "liberal agenda".
I have decided that warming is a reality because of what I have seen and what I have read or otherwise been exposed to. Those who are trained and educated in the meteorological fields seem to agree that this is happening. I am not convinced of man's role in the process as of yet. I find it difficult to believe that all of these scientists and engineers have conspired and are lying and covering it up in an effort to achieve some kind of common goal, monetary or otherwise. It seems paranoid to me however, I choose not insult those that do believe in this perceived deception.
Using my own meager powers of deduction, I know that it feels much hotter on a parking lot than it is in the forest given the same proximity, time of day and relevant ambient temperature. Therefore I assume that there is more heat generated from radiant energy, or radiant energy converted to convective energy, however you want to express it, the sun makes things hot. The radiant heat from the sun can measure 1 Kw per square meter per hour when directly overhead.
The average power intercepted at any time by the earth's surface is around 127.4 X 106 X 106 X 200 = 25.4 X 1015 Watts or 25,400 TeraWatts.
Having said that, it's not a surprise to me that the planet is getting warmer, not considering green house gases, but as evidenced by the radiant heat that is not absorbed by the diminishing number of plants and the increasing numbers of pavement and roof tops, globally. So it would not surprise me to see the rate of rise in average temperatures increase in the near future.
I check this thread several times a day. I do this for several reasons but I would like to think it's because I will learn something about the climate. I'm convinced that I do learn something every time I check but more often than not, it's a lesson on how not to treat someone who is voicing his opinion. Or why you should let things go when someone is trying to get your goat. Or, how one should keep their expectations low when trying to show someone why you think the way you do, as it's entirely unlikely they will not admit that you're correct and you changed their viewpoint..... even if you did.