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Doubt you will find anyone who doesn't believe the climate is changing, it has since the beginning of time. How much "man" influences it is another story. Like everything else politics has infected what is called science today. Money and power can blur the lines where needed. I believe most people want the same things deep down, concentrate on that and you will be fine.
Do the majority, or even a significant minority, of Panhandle residents believe that man-made climate change is exaggerated, or even a hoax? If so, that would explain why there also might be a resistance to mask-wearing and social distancing.
It's always easier to believe what is comfortable and least frightening, especially when your political leaders tell you it's OK to do so.
Yet, virtually all climate change scientists say that man-made climate change is real. From NASA:
<<The current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is extremely likely (greater than 95% probability) to be the result of human activity since the mid-20th century and proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented over decades to millennia.>>
The atmospheric carbon dioxide level chart at the above link should frighten anybody with a modicum of scientific knowledge, but, sadly, its implications are lost on our political leaders let alone a large majority of the American people.
Fossil fuel burning has unleashed natural forces, such as permafrost thawing, that will exacerbate global warming. E.g., methane is many times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and Arctic thawing is beginning to release massive amounts of methane.
Hurricane rapid intensification, higher hurricane rainfall, and slowing hurricanes are impacts of global warming that the Panhandle has experienced in recent years with Hurricane Michael and now Hurricane Sally. Accelerating sea level rise is another empirical fact.
Accelerating ocean heat content is a great concern, especially as the sun enters a new solar cycle. Here's a heavy dose of empirical reality, as offered up by climate change scientists:
<<The near-record global warmth in 2019 is all the more remarkable since it occurred during the minimum of the weakest solar cycle in 100+ years....
The total heat content of the world’s oceans (OHC) in 2019 was the warmest in recorded human history, according to a January 13 paper by Cheng et al., Record-Setting Ocean Warmth Continued in 2019, published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences. In the uppermost 2000 meters of the oceans, there were 228 Zetta Joules more heat in 2019 than the 1981−2010 average; 2019 had 25 Zetta Joules more OHC than 2018 (a Zetta Joule is one sextillion Joules-- ten to the 21st power).
“We found that 2019 was not only the warmest year on record, it displayed the largest single-year increase of the entire decade, a sobering reminder that human-caused heating of our planet continues unabated,” said Penn State’s Dr. Michael Mann, one of the co-authors. The gain in ocean heat between 2018 and 2019 was about 44 times as great as all the energy used by humans in one year.
More than 90% of the increasing heat from human-caused global warming accumulates in the ocean because of its large heat capacity. >>
Hopefully, the new solar cycle only will be a feeble one, as predicted by scientists. Regardless, solar radiation will increase in the next few years.
<<Currently, the Sun’s poles are about as strong as they were at the same point in the last solar cycle, which scientists interpret as signs that Solar Cycle 25 will play out in similar fashion to Cycle 24. Solar Cycle 24 was a feeble cycle, peaking at 114 sunspots (the average is 179). Solar Cycle 25 is now underway and expected to peak with 115 sunspots in July 2025.>>
Do the majority, or even a significant minority, of Panhandle residents believe that man-made climate change is exaggerated, or even a hoax? If so, that would explain why there also might be a resistance to mask-wearing and social distancing.
It's always easier to believe what is comfortable and least frightening, especially when your political leaders tell you it's OK to do so.
Yet, virtually all climate change scientists say that man-made climate change is real. From NASA:
<<The current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is extremely likely (greater than 95% probability) to be the result of human activity since the mid-20th century and proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented over decades to millennia.>>
The atmospheric carbon dioxide level chart at the above link should frighten anybody with a modicum of scientific knowledge, but, sadly, its implications are lost on our political leaders let alone a large majority of the American people.
Fossil fuel burning has unleashed natural forces, such as permafrost thawing, that will exacerbate global warming. E.g., methane is many times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and Arctic thawing is beginning to release massive amounts of methane.
Hurricane rapid intensification, higher hurricane rainfall, and slowing hurricanes are impacts of global warming that the Panhandle has experienced in recent years with Hurricane Michael and now Hurricane Sally. Accelerating sea level rise is another empirical fact.
Accelerating ocean heat content is a great concern, especially as the sun enters a new solar cycle. Here's a heavy dose of empirical reality, as offered up by climate change scientists:
<<The near-record global warmth in 2019 is all the more remarkable since it occurred during the minimum of the weakest solar cycle in 100+ years....
The total heat content of the world’s oceans (OHC) in 2019 was the warmest in recorded human history, according to a January 13 paper by Cheng et al., Record-Setting Ocean Warmth Continued in 2019, published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences. In the uppermost 2000 meters of the oceans, there were 228 Zetta Joules more heat in 2019 than the 1981−2010 average; 2019 had 25 Zetta Joules more OHC than 2018 (a Zetta Joule is one sextillion Joules-- ten to the 21st power).
“We found that 2019 was not only the warmest year on record, it displayed the largest single-year increase of the entire decade, a sobering reminder that human-caused heating of our planet continues unabated,” said Penn State’s Dr. Michael Mann, one of the co-authors. The gain in ocean heat between 2018 and 2019 was about 44 times as great as all the energy used by humans in one year.
More than 90% of the increasing heat from human-caused global warming accumulates in the ocean because of its large heat capacity. >>
Hopefully, the new solar cycle only will be a feeble one, as predicted by scientists. Regardless, solar radiation will increase in the next few years.
<<Currently, the Sun’s poles are about as strong as they were at the same point in the last solar cycle, which scientists interpret as signs that Solar Cycle 25 will play out in similar fashion to Cycle 24. Solar Cycle 24 was a feeble cycle, peaking at 114 sunspots (the average is 179). Solar Cycle 25 is now underway and expected to peak with 115 sunspots in July 2025.>>
Yada Yada Yada!
And considering China is the worlds biggest polluter by far, just what are we supposed to do about it other than pass a bunch more restrictive laws in "The Name Of Science" to drive even more companies and jobs off to those countries that are not restrictive like China, Mexico, Viet Nam etc?
Do the majority, or even a significant minority, of Panhandle residents believe that man-made climate change is exaggerated, or even a hoax? If so, that would explain why there also might be a resistance to mask-wearing and social distancing.
It's always easier to believe what is comfortable and least frightening, especially when your political leaders tell you it's OK to do so.
Yet, virtually all climate change scientists say that man-made climate change is real. From NASA:
<<The current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is extremely likely (greater than 95% probability) to be the result of human activity since the mid-20th century and proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented over decades to millennia.>>
The atmospheric carbon dioxide level chart at the above link should frighten anybody with a modicum of scientific knowledge, but, sadly, its implications are lost on our political leaders let alone a large majority of the American people.
Fossil fuel burning has unleashed natural forces, such as permafrost thawing, that will exacerbate global warming. E.g., methane is many times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and Arctic thawing is beginning to release massive amounts of methane.
Hurricane rapid intensification, higher hurricane rainfall, and slowing hurricanes are impacts of global warming that the Panhandle has experienced in recent years with Hurricane Michael and now Hurricane Sally. Accelerating sea level rise is another empirical fact.
Accelerating ocean heat content is a great concern, especially as the sun enters a new solar cycle. Here's a heavy dose of empirical reality, as offered up by climate change scientists:
<<The near-record global warmth in 2019 is all the more remarkable since it occurred during the minimum of the weakest solar cycle in 100+ years....
The total heat content of the world’s oceans (OHC) in 2019 was the warmest in recorded human history, according to a January 13 paper by Cheng et al., Record-Setting Ocean Warmth Continued in 2019, published in Advances in Atmospheric Sciences. In the uppermost 2000 meters of the oceans, there were 228 Zetta Joules more heat in 2019 than the 1981−2010 average; 2019 had 25 Zetta Joules more OHC than 2018 (a Zetta Joule is one sextillion Joules-- ten to the 21st power).
“We found that 2019 was not only the warmest year on record, it displayed the largest single-year increase of the entire decade, a sobering reminder that human-caused heating of our planet continues unabated,” said Penn State’s Dr. Michael Mann, one of the co-authors. The gain in ocean heat between 2018 and 2019 was about 44 times as great as all the energy used by humans in one year.
More than 90% of the increasing heat from human-caused global warming accumulates in the ocean because of its large heat capacity. >>
Hopefully, the new solar cycle only will be a feeble one, as predicted by scientists. Regardless, solar radiation will increase in the next few years.
<<Currently, the Sun’s poles are about as strong as they were at the same point in the last solar cycle, which scientists interpret as signs that Solar Cycle 25 will play out in similar fashion to Cycle 24. Solar Cycle 24 was a feeble cycle, peaking at 114 sunspots (the average is 179). Solar Cycle 25 is now underway and expected to peak with 115 sunspots in July 2025.>>
Politics and Money infect everything even NASA. NASA depends on funding for its program. Depending on which administration is in power dictates funding.
"Some prominent voices at NASA are fed up with the agency's activist stance toward climate change at the expense of empirical evidence"
And considering China is the worlds biggest polluter by far, just what are we supposed to do about it other than pass a bunch more restrictive laws in "The Name Of Science" to drive even more companies and jobs off to those countries that are not restrictive like China, Mexico, Viet Nam etc?
Floridians face existential risks due to climate change including accelerating sea level rise, more powerful and wetter tropical storms and hurricanes, accelerating ocean heat content and ocean acidification which continue to greatly degrade Florida marine life (notably including the Great Florida Reef), and atmospheric warming especially as the ocean warms and the Gulf Stream slows.
Despite the "Big Lie" propaganda of climate change science deniers, with each passing year in this decade these impacts will become more obvious to Floridians. E.g., Panhandle residents will understand that Hurricanes Michael and Sally are likely the new normal, and will surely notice their shrinking beaches.
Home and flood insurance premiums, perhaps even availability, will become an increasing burden on Florida residents, especially the large percentage living near the ocean.
Florida has massive alternative energy potential (solar, wind). It also produces little, if any, of the massive amounts of fossil fuels consumed by residents. So, ironically and contrary to the pro-fossil fuel politicians who control the state, Florida's economy would benefit greatly from a push to de-carbonization. Not only would such an initiative help lessen the increasing costs of climate change, Florida's balance of trade with other states and nations would improve greatly.
Contrary to the thrust of your comments, alternative energy sources often are cheaper than using carbon fuels, especially given point-of-source solutions such as solar panels which minimize transmission costs; inevitable carbon taxes will make the cost advantage overwhelming. Electric vehicle ownership costs will be lower than for internal combustion vehicles in the near future, as battery costs plummet due to both technology improvements and greater economies of scale.
<<BNEF projects that the overall industry’s cost reductions will continue, with $100/kWh at the pack level likely to be reached by around 2023, as stated in the above tweet. This is the point at which mass market electric vehicles (BEVs) are expected to reach sticker price parity with “equivalent” combustion vehicles, whilst larger vehicle classes and premium vehicles have already passed parity in several cases. All BEVs are typically already more affordable than combustion vehicles on a total-cost-of-ownership basis, due to substantial lifetime savings on fuel and maintenance costs.>>
Sadly, China leads the U.S. in much green technology and is gaining massive economies of scale that will make it difficult for the U.S. to match. The success of climate change denying politicians at suppressing the green economy to preserve fossil fuel consumption actually seriously threatens, if not dooms, U.S. 21st century economic competitiveness.
Some points about China vs. U.S. carbon emissions:
1) On a per capita basis, U.S. carbon emissions are twice those of China, even though China dwarfs the U.S. in manufacturing. If we manufactured all of the goods that we now import from China, our carbon emissions would be significantly higher, not even considering the cost and emissions required to transport the goods from China to the U.S.
2) On a cumulative basis, U.S. carbon dioxide emissions are about double those of China. The world rightly can blame the U.S. for being a major contributor to creating the climate change crisis. Given China's relatively strenuous efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions compared to the U.S., it's unlikely that China's cumulative carbon dioxide emissions ever will exceed, or even approach, U.S. cumulative emissions.
3) China, unlike the U.S. under Trump and Repubican control, is massively committed to reducing its carbon emissions. China is targeting "carbon neutrality" by 2060.
The individuals signing the document apparently included no climate change scientists, and were a small, small fraction of NASA employees.
Given the onslaught of climate change since 2012, especially in the last five years, I suspect that many of the signatories today would be embarrassed by their 2012 action.
Read the current articles and developments in post 11. Are you accusing NASA and other scientists of presenting false empirical data?????
Huge drops in NASA budget after Obama became president. Suddenly it becomes outspoken with global warming and like magic the death spiral stops. Got to love politics. You got to play to get paid.
Despite the "Big Lie" propaganda of climate change science deniers, with each passing year in this decade these impacts will become more obvious to Floridians. E.g., Panhandle residents will understand that Hurricanes Michael and Sally are likely the new normal, and will surely notice their shrinking beaches.
It's not the "new normal", it's just normal. Hurricanes aren't any more common now than they've ever been. How do you explain Hurricane Camille in 1969, or Hurricane Frederic in 1979? Were they due to climate change as well?
Floridians face existential risks due to climate change including accelerating sea level rise, more powerful and wetter tropical storms and hurricanes, accelerating ocean heat content and ocean acidification which continue to greatly degrade Florida marine life (notably including the Great Florida Reef), and atmospheric warming especially as the ocean warms and the Gulf Stream slows.
Despite the "Big Lie" propaganda of climate change science deniers, with each passing year in this decade these impacts will become more obvious to Floridians. E.g., Panhandle residents will understand that Hurricanes Michael and Sally are likely the new normal, and will surely notice their shrinking beaches.
Your post 19:
Quote:
Originally Posted by southernnaturelover
It's not the "new normal", it's just normal. Hurricanes aren't any more common now than they've ever been. How do you explain Hurricane Camille in 1969, or Hurricane Frederic in 1979? Were they due to climate change as well?
You clearly quoted me out of context, as I never referred to frequency or annual number of hurricanes as part of the "new normal," but to "more powerful and wetter tropical storms and hurricanes."
Hurricane Michael in 2018 was the most powerful hurricane to ever make landfall in the Panhandle.
For the overall impact of climate change on individual Florida counties by 2040-2060, see the "Compounding Calamities" table by county for all U.S. counties at the end of this article. Obviously, these impacts will worsen over time before 2040.
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