KLUDGE REPORT IV (?) GRAB YOUR COATS, EVERYBODY -- Here Comes Global Cooling

Mar 3 17:16 UTC 2006

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20060206/43371626.html

Earth in for another "ice age" in mid-century - scientist

ST. PETERSBURG, February 6 (RIA Novosti) - Low solar activity could 
trigger a global freeze in the middle of the 21st century, a Russian 
astronomer said Monday.

Khabibullo Abdusamatov of the Pulkovo Astronomic Observatory said 
temperatures would begin falling six or seven years from now, when 
global warming caused by increased solar activity in the 20th century 
reached its peak, and that the coldest period would occur 15-20 years 
after a major solar output decline in 2035-2045.

Abdusamatov said dramatic changes in the earth's surface temperatures 
were an ordinary phenomenon, not an anomaly, and resulted from 
variations in the Sun's energy output and ultraviolet radiation.

The Northern Hemisphere's most recent cool-down period of 1645-1705, 
known as the Little Ice Age, left canals in Holland frozen solid and 
forced people in Greenland to abandon their houses to glaciers, the 
scientist said.

response 2 of 34:

Mar 3 17:37 UTC 2006

This is a major problem, because pollution is destroying the ozone layer. 
What we are doing to the environment in the modern age with modern technology
is unprecedented.  There is no basis in the past for the damage we are doing
today.

response 4 of 34:

Mar 3 17:48 UTC 2006

Actually, RW, hasn't it been demonstrated that countries/cities with 
modern technology are much less polluted than countries without modern 
technology?  (China vs. the U.S. and London of 100/200 yrs ago vs. 
modern day London.)  (Note:  You don't cite a source, so neither do I.)

response 6 of 34:

Mar 3 17:53 UTC 2006

already the glaciers in antarctica are melting off at an alarming rate.  

response 8 of 34:

Mar 3 18:20 UTC 2006

re #5
100 years ago we had places completely missing forests and tons of industrial
pollution clogging the air in urban areas.

What do you recommend short of outlawing personally owned vehicles and forcing
all factories to bleach out their smokestacks?

response 10 of 34:

Mar 3 18:52 UTC 2006

Do you think the development of the technology will be enough to change the
course of an energy consumer's mentality?  Did everyone change from shoelaces
to velcro since that technology has been available? How about Hybrid vehicles?
Solar panels on homes?

I truly believe that things need to be outlawed before an impact will
trasnpire.  THink of the "Drive 55" or mandatory seatbelt laws.

response 12 of 34:

Mar 3 20:11 UTC 2006

(What sense does it make to spend a lot of money on energy alternatives 
that would be more expensive than our current fuels?  Do you buy things 
that make you worse off?)

response 14 of 34:

Mar 3 21:18 UTC 2006

The energy alternatives are more expensive now because they are in 
their infancy. As they are developed they will become cheaper. Richard 
wants to dedicate more of our economy to such development.

response 16 of 34:

Mar 4 00:23 UTC 2006

I spend a lil more on energy saving light bulbs.  I'm not trying to save the
world but I'm also not going to lower myself to just ignoring alternatives.

response 18 of 34:

Mar 4 03:56 UTC 2006

I buy the energy saving bulbs because they last longer and I think it is
a pain in the neck to change lightbulbs. 

As energy costs from fossil fuels rise, we'll see an increase in the use
of alternative energy. People might not get off the grid entirely but if
power gets expensive enough folks will probably start buying solar
panels.