Twelve-month long drop in world temperatures wipes out a century of warming

 

Over the past year, anecdotal evidence for a cooling planet has exploded. China has its coldest winter in 100 years. Baghdad sees its first snow in all recorded history. North America has the most snowcover in 50 years, with places like Wisconsin the highest since record-keeping began. Record levels of Antarctic sea ice, record cold in Minnesota, Texas, Florida, Mexico, Australia, Iran, Greece, South Africa, Greenland, Argentina, Chile -- the list goes on and on.

 

No more than anecdotal evidence, to be sure. But now, that evidence has been supplanted by hard scientific fact. All four major global temperature tracking outlets (Hadley, NASA's GISS, UAH, RSS) have released updated data. All show that over the past year, global temperatures have dropped precipitously.

 

A compiled list of all the sources can be seen here. The total amount of cooling ranges from 0.65C up to 0.75C -- a value large enough to wipe out nearly all the warming recorded over the past 100 years. All in one year's time. For all four sources, it's the single fastest temperature change ever recorded, either up or down.

 

Scientists quoted in a past DailyTech article link the cooling to reduced solar activity which they claim is a much larger driver of climate change than man-made greenhouse gases. The dramatic cooling seen in just 12 months time seems to bear that out. While the data doesn't itself disprove that carbon dioxide is acting to warm the planet, it does demonstrate clearly that more powerful factors are now cooling it.

 

Let's hope those factors stop fast. Cold is more damaging than heat. The mean temperature of the planet is about 54 degrees. Humans -- and most of the crops and animals we depend on -- prefer a temperature closer to 70.

 

 

Historically, the warm periods such as the Medieval Climate Optimum were beneficial for civilization. Corresponding cooling events such as the Little Ice Age, though, were uniformly bad news.

 

http://www.dailytech.com/Temperature+Monitors+Report+Worldwide+Global+ Cooling/article10866.htm

Where's that fucking hot water bottle.

It's amazing how the planet has an innate ability to 'self-correct'. I've been reading some of this stuff lately too. Not sure what this meant to Mr. Gore's carreer,lol. I still say the evergy-conservation measures we've been adopting should continue, but I agree with the science here. In fact experts have been saying for a while now that a new Ice Age is the eventual long-term next step for Earth.

Exactly.

 

The whole "man made global warming" scam is eventually being shown up for exactly what it is....a lie.

 

I do agree with moving towards no fossil fuels because it is better for us humans in the long run - in terms of health etc. As well as putting a stop to using toxic shit in all our foods and on crops.....and stop dumping horrid waste in areas where it's causing major harm.....AND stop curb the cutting away of the rain forest.

 

But the global carbon tax folk need to be stopped - they are trying to take us all for a ride and thank god people are starting to realise it now....

 

Th only thing is - will people care enough to stop the bills & laws that are in process all the time?

Explain to me why we have had only one day of rain so far this March when March is generally a cold month in Melbourne.

No, people won't because no one pays attention to science. Even though global warming is not scientifically sound people will listen to the media and believe it instead of learning the truth on their own.

If you read Scientific American, there was a pretty good article discussing the overlay of solar cycles on climate change affected by human activities. The wobble of the earth has quite an effect on climate, as well as solar activity. Small particles from burning organic matter and exhaust may actually be reducing the solar energy reaching the surface of the Earth.. It's rather complex.. We were close to loosing the North Atlantic 'conveyor belt', which allows warm water from the Gulf to reach Europe, and then dives down and return on the bottom as heavy, saltier water..

But consider that one year's recorded temps. is a dust-speck of time in the larger scheme of things. And, I still think it unwise to rapidly burn much of the carbon stored in the Earth's crust in so short a time span - that's a lot of carbon being turned into CO2 in a short span of time, being taken out of one system and put into another. True, and then there's the source one has to consider.. Anyone for another oil war?? We hit a logjam when it comes to changing foreign policy here in the US, often propping up hated dictators just to keep the oil flowing (until they buy enough weapons, and get the gumption to attack their neighbors..). (No offense to the citizens in those countries - they have to deal with bad governments, just as we have to here as well.. I'm hoping the Middle East can become a major source for solar power in the future; aluminum and silicon processing right at the power source makes the most sense;))

I'll keep working on the other options as well - it's a heck of a lot easier to insulate and put in new doors and windows; get a heat exchanger for fresh air, and a heating system not reliant upon fossil fuels.. My personal approach is biomass gasifier energy systems, which allow for electric production on site, and use of the "waste heat" to heat home and greenhouse. I would go 100% solar if I could, but this winter proves that nature's power-bank is essential during those dark, long days here in the snowbelt! (record snowfall - and most of it's still here!):) All I can say now is Think Spring!!!!:P

If you read Scientific American, there was a pretty good article discussing the overlay of solar cycles on climate change affected by human activities. The wobble of the earth has quite an effect on climate, as well as solar activity. Small particles from burning organic matter and exhaust may actually be reducing the solar energy reaching the surface of the Earth.. It's rather complex.. We were close to loosing the North Atlantic 'conveyor belt', which allows warm water from the Gulf to reach Europe, and then dives down and return on the bottom as heavy, saltier water..

But consider that one year's recorded temps. is a dust-speck of time in the larger scheme of things. And, I still think it unwise to rapidly burn much of the carbon stored in the Earth's crust in so short a time span - that's a lot of carbon being turned into CO2 in a short span of time, being taken out of one system and put into another. True, and then there's the source one has to consider.. Anyone for another oil war?? We hit a logjam when it comes to changing foreign policy here in the US, often propping up hated dictators just to keep the oil flowing (until they buy enough weapons, and get the gumption to attack their neighbors..). (No offense to the citizens in those countries - they have to deal with bad governments, just as we have to here as well.. I'm hoping the Middle East can become a major source for solar power in the future; aluminum and silicon processing right at the power source makes the most sense;))

I'll keep working on the other options as well - it's a heck of a lot easier to insulate and put in new doors and windows; get a heat exchanger for fresh air, and a heating system not reliant upon fossil fuels.. My personal approach is biomass gasifier energy systems, which allow for electric production on site, and use of the "waste heat" to heat home and greenhouse. I would go 100% solar if I could, but this winter proves that nature's power-bank is essential during those dark, long days here in the snowbelt! (record snowfall - and most of it's still here!):) All I can say now is Think Spring!!!!:P

 

Hey, what a good post :)

Explain to me why we have had only one day of rain so far this March when March is generally a cold month in Melbourne.

 

because the seasons would appear to be slowly shifting. historically, the uk had snow in november/december/ January time. the last few years the snow falls tend to be more January/February/March.

while we should do everything we can to stop pumping carbons and other things into our air, stop dumping stuff into rivers and streams, etc., it is obvious that global warming is a fraud, born from socialists looking for another avenue of power after capitalism won over socialism almost 20 years ago.

If you read Scientific American, there was a pretty good article discussing the overlay of solar cycles on climate change affected by human activities. The wobble of the earth has quite an effect on climate, as well as solar activity. Small particles from burning organic matter and exhaust may actually be reducing the solar energy reaching the surface of the Earth.. It's rather complex.. We were close to loosing the North Atlantic 'conveyor belt', which allows warm water from the Gulf to reach Europe, and then dives down and return on the bottom as heavy, saltier water..

But consider that one year's recorded temps. is a dust-speck of time in the larger scheme of things. And, I still think it unwise to rapidly burn much of the carbon stored in the Earth's crust in so short a time span - that's a lot of carbon being turned into CO2 in a short span of time, being taken out of one system and put into another. True, and then there's the source one has to consider.. Anyone for another oil war?? We hit a logjam when it comes to changing foreign policy here in the US, often propping up hated dictators just to keep the oil flowing (until they buy enough weapons, and get the gumption to attack their neighbors..). (No offense to the citizens in those countries - they have to deal with bad governments, just as we have to here as well.. I'm hoping the Middle East can become a major source for solar power in the future; aluminum and silicon processing right at the power source makes the most sense;))

I'll keep working on the other options as well - it's a heck of a lot easier to insulate and put in new doors and windows; get a heat exchanger for fresh air, and a heating system not reliant upon fossil fuels.. My personal approach is biomass gasifier energy systems, which allow for electric production on site, and use of the "waste heat" to heat home and greenhouse. I would go 100% solar if I could, but this winter proves that nature's power-bank is essential during those dark, long days here in the snowbelt! (record snowfall - and most of it's still here!):) All I can say now is Think Spring!!!!:P

 

I find solar power the most attractive form of alternative energy. As there is just so much that hits the planet, especially regions in Northern Africa and the Middle East. There has been a large scale electricity sharing proposal contrived by scientists in Spain that would see a large grid to share energy between Europe and Africa. In Europe the renewable energy would come from a mix of everything; windmills, geothermal, hydroelectricity, biomass, and solar.

 

Solar power also has other advantages besides lower CO2 emissions, as it can be used for the desalinization of sea water. Its just a little tricky where the best places to harvest solar power are also regions in conflict (Middle East, etc.).

 

 

A helpful image:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/3/35/Available_Energy-2.jpg/800px-Available_Energy-2.jpg

Briggins, I think you're on the right path! Hopefully, we can disengage from our dependence on fossil fuels soon - there is just too many associated problems with them, and they are limited resources, prone to disruptions, spills, ecological disasters, etc. Here in the US, it's mountain-top removal to get coal, and mercury from the rain after it's burnt. Sure, we sell lots of it to China - and they in turn burn it to create cheap goods - but that's all relative - the buck stops here. Canada has a sizable issue regarding oil-sands, if I'm not mistaken?? Well, anywhere you go today, it's really an extraction-based economy..

My main contention is that we're collectively missing the point. Individually we can do it right, but the broad majority still sees efficiency as some sort of Puritanical punishment. I think it's just so simple, that we haven't really all that much to do to save 90-95% of the energy demands right at home. Sure makes it easier to get the remaining 5-10%, and there's actually a much improved comfort level - it's better in every sense. Even simple measures, like adding better doors, or getting that insulation and ventilation right, has an enormous effect. So far, I've managed this heating season with about 1/10th of the fuel oil of last season, and the house is quite comfortable!

Well anyhow, solar is the best thing hitting the earth. As the Beatles would say, Here Comes the Sun!:sunny:

Global Cooling, Global Warming - as the Boy-Scouts always say, "Be Prepared".

The efforts to stop global warming should be directed to real problems of the world...rain forest being cut down, huge amounts of waste being dumped in the ocean.

How about we take back the 1.2 Trillion dollars we'll be spending on the war in Iraq, and with that buy up all the land in the Amazon, and pay the good people down there lavishly to work as caretakers of the rainforest, and as tour guides in the tropics. With the 1/2 Trillion left, we could clean up all the oceans on three planets!

Best bet might be to change the way in which elections work in the US - end the corrupt practices of kickbacks, and get a hold of honest government to bring things back into balance. Maybe then we could clean up the oceans, and end the practices of allowing massive runoff into the rivers, and end the use of toxic plastics.

And, keep on reducing our use of fossil fuels as well - the hidden demons of that dependence are multiple.

Not just Iraq, our government waste trillions on corruption and useless projects we could be spending on the people and over seas to help people along with tax cuts. But our government will just get bigger and spend even more money on wasted projects and corruption and tax us more.

To all things, a time of correction is at hand. When we get some reform measures with teeth, the kickback schemes will be drastically reduced; it has to happen, or else the economy will suffer even more set-backs.

One thing to remember - when an economy slumps, questions get asked, and reforms take shape. Only so many wild schemes can be supported when this happens.

I'm betting there will be a period of revolt, as there was in the late 60's and early 70's, as we all get fed up with the BS and lies we're fed by the media, and the fuel prices continue to soar.

 

To all things, a time of correction is at hand. When we get some reform measures with teeth, the kickback schemes will be drastically reduced; it has to happen, or else the economy will suffer even more set-backs.

One thing to remember - when an economy slumps, questions get asked, and reforms take shape. Only so many wild schemes can be supported when this happens.

I'm betting there will be a period of revolt, as there was in the late 60's and early 70's, as we all get fed up with the BS and lies we're fed by the media, and the fuel prices continue to soar.

 

 

Americans don't want correction. we keep getting the option to correct it but no one does anything. Americans sit around and whine about the corruption but when someone runs who can help fix it or at least try they don't even get the nomination for their party....time after time we turn down the chance for change.

Briggins, I think you're on the right path! Hopefully, we can disengage from our dependence on fossil fuels soon - there is just too many associated problems with them, and they are limited resources, prone to disruptions, spills, ecological disasters, etc. Here in the US, it's mountain-top removal to get coal, and mercury from the rain after it's burnt. Sure, we sell lots of it to China - and they in turn burn it to create cheap goods - but that's all relative - the buck stops here. Canada has a sizable issue regarding oil-sands, if I'm not mistaken?? Well, anywhere you go today, it's really an extraction-based economy..

My main contention is that we're collectively missing the point. Individually we can do it right, but the broad majority still sees efficiency as some sort of Puritanical punishment. I think it's just so simple, that we haven't really all that much to do to save 90-95% of the energy demands right at home. Sure makes it easier to get the remaining 5-10%, and there's actually a much improved comfort level - it's better in every sense. Even simple measures, like adding better doors, or getting that insulation and ventilation right, has an enormous effect. So far, I've managed this heating season with about 1/10th of the fuel oil of last season, and the house is quite comfortable!

Well anyhow, solar is the best thing hitting the earth. As the Beatles would say, Here Comes the Sun!:sunny:

Global Cooling, Global Warming - as the Boy-Scouts always say, "Be Prepared".

 

What type of things have you done to cut down your fuel consumption? I know you said them vaguely but I would be interested in knowing more details how you did it and stuff.

I know in my Environmental class our proff showed how he made his house much more energy efficient. Now it did cost ~$15 000, but he did get a $3 500 rebate since the government here provides rebates for people who raise the Energuide rating of their house. They use the blower door test to find out the ratings before and after the renovations.

Answers!

 

What type of things have you done to cut down your fuel consumption? I know you said them vaguely but I would be interested in knowing more details how you did it and stuff.

I know in my Environmental class our proff showed how he made his house much more energy efficient. Now it did cost ~$15 000, but he did get a $3 500 rebate since the government here provides rebates for people who raise the Energuide rating of their house. They use the blower door test to find out the ratings before and after the renovations.

Great!! Glad you have a prof who's showing how it can be done by actually doing it!! Yes, to have it done by service professionals it costs bucks, but glad there's a program for it!! But D.I.Y., and save a mint.;) PS - I did remodel one house here, and it's the tightest house in the state. The blower door guy from the state thought his instruments were stuck, as there was no pressure loss! (Mike added a heat-exchanger, thankfully!)

Hmm.. specifics! Well, the most effective thing I've done was to seal up all the big leaks in the house. Using expanding foam insulation (Great Stuff, DAP foam, etc. - U pik it.:)) I went along the sill (where the wall framing sits on the joists) and filled all of the gaps and mouse holes I could find (and there were some dueseys!). Basically, run a bead of foam along both edges after carefully cleaning the surface. You can use caulk as well - whatever seals tight and holds up over time. Also, I foamed the point where all the wires come into the house from the electrical box on the porch. There were silver-dollar sized holes there, letting in enough cold air to fill a blimp.;)

Next, I laid down plastic sheeting in the crawl space, carefully stapling it to the end joists, and sealing off the ground from the space. (it's important to keep the air space in a crawl space connected to the air space in the home, to prevent condensation and rotting, etc. - ours is connected to the full basement side by a short wall section)

Then, I added a layer of polyethylene foamboard to the basement walls. There are some safe foamboard glues for caulk guns that work well to do this; an occasional concrete screw and fender washer helps hold it well too. Then cover with drywall. (we have a very dry basement - for wet walls, I'm not the expert, but perhaps seal the wall from the outside first (ugh - digging!), and then just fit the foam-board tight, with a few concrete anchors to hold it in place).. Better ask the experts on that one.

And in the attic, I stapled up some proffer vents between the old rafters, and put another layer of R19 fiberglass (go with the white stuff - no formaldehyde in it, or use cellulose or ground up old bluejeans), giving us around R50 up there.

Finally, I used these window insulator kits to cover the windows. They shrink to fit, and look nice once on; I leave them up all year long, and replace them every fall - helps to cut summer cooling costs too.

And lastly, I tried to get the old French doors to seal better using some foam tape and corner foam pieces made for doors. (also, if you haven't done so, the outlet insulators work wonders too..)

There's still plenty of fresh air coming in - our basement windows leak around the edges a little, and there's another fresh-air vent that opens when the furnace draws air, so it's not "too tight", but much better!

In the near future I plan on adding an air-to-air heat exchanger to take care of the fresh air without the heat losses.

Oh, and the interior walls - I'm going to try and put up some insulation board and then another interior material (paneling, drywall, etc) to get the R value up. Our walls are insulated, but it's blown-in beads (don't ever want to open that up!), and so that's one option.

Hope this helps give you some ideas Briggins!!

Happy Insulating:cool4: & keep Canada Efficient!;)

 

Cool, sounds like some good ideas. It kinda sucks just being a university student living at home, I mean its not like I'm going to spend money to make our house more energy efficient haha. But it would be interesting to do the blower door test. I guess when it works properly you can feel air coming in from places you don't expect at all. I know one major thing besides windows is the electrical outlets. We have little plastic plugs in most of them, but not all. Also a thin layer of styrofoam in them as well. My family is pretty good for using the energy efficient light bulbs and also not using too much heat in the winter (which can make the basement slightly uncomfortable).

Thats pretty good to boost the rafters up to R50. I think there is alot of wasted heat there.

 

Now if only photovoltaics would get cheaper!

R.I.P. The Great Global Warming Scam.

 

I have a list as long as my arm at potential jobs to do in this house to make it more energy efficient, as houses built in the 1950's don't have much with efficient energies.