[ RadSafe ] Man-Made Global Warming

[Brennan, Mike (DOH)]

The "man-made" global warming issue is one where neither side had a
corner on intellectual dishonesty.  My parents, for example, were
certain it was all part of some eco-liberal-socialist plot, not because
they had examined the evidence, but because Rush said so.  I would
contend that Rush Limbaugh did not base his opinion on a thoughtful
examination of the evidence, nor by seeking the advice of the most
qualified experts in the field.  I believe at least as much of the
"climate change denial" side of the argument is free of scientific basis
as is the "pro" side.  For both sides, if a given individual happens to
be "right" on the topic, it is by blind-squirrel-ism. 

For my part, I don't believe there is enough evidence to say anything
about global change, though it is abundantly clear that humans can
change ecological, and even climactic, conditions on a smaller scale.
The clearest example of this is the deforestation of many places around
the world, with a resulting increase in erosion, loss of water holding
capacity in the hills, and less reliable water supply in the nearby
lowlands.  

I believe that many of the changes called for by people concerned about
climate change are clearly good in their own right.  Not burning things
that put crap in the air is a good thing.  Not destroying forests is a
good thing.  Not wasting resources is a good thing.  I also believe that
if all the (realistic) costs are added in for all energy sources when
doing comparisons, nuclear power competes very well in a number of
applications, including some where it currently is not used.  Sadly, I
see little reason to hope that either side is going to give up flashy
emotional arguments and switch to science any time soon.  


-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu
[mailto:radsafe-bounces at health.phys.iit.edu] On Behalf Of
Anagnostopoulos, Harry (CONTR)
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2011 9:19 AM
To: radsafe at health.phys.iit.edu
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Man-Made Global Warming

Mr. Gallego stated:

 

I would think the future of nuclear power is much brighter if it turns
out

that global warming is caused by human activity. It would be ironic if
it

turns out that the "vast majority of the people on this list knew
man-made

global warming is not true".

 

------------

 

Several of my colleges and myself have been looking at this issue
closely. Yes, we actually look at BOTH sides of the argument! Our
conclusion is that man-made global warming in not likely. Several
resources indicate that it is not even possible (carbon inventory,
sequestering in the oceans, etc...).

 

Now I really am not interested if you all agree or not. The point of
this message is intellectual honesty. For me, the reduction of carbon
emissions is not an honest argument for nuclear power. There are several
more fruitful arguments to be made for nuclear power.

 

I highly recommend reading "State of Fear" by Michael Crichton. The
fictional story is not his best work. The overall message, that fear
motivates and that social causes use fear to their advantage, is worth
the read. Also, don't skip the appendices. The first is an exhaustive
listing of references that he used for the book. The second details a
similar episode of scientific alarmism that motivated large populations
of scientists and the social elite, and was not based in science at all.
You will be shocked and disgusted to see what it was...

 

Again, this post is about intellectual honesty. The on-going series
between Dr. Busby and Steve Dapra, when boiled-down, also seems to be
about intellectual honesty. Based upon the BEHAVIORS that I have seen,
Dr. Busby loses this one...

 

(my musings only, etc...)

 

Regards,

 

 

Harry Anagnostopoulos, CHP

Nevada

 

"In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but
planning is indispensable."

-             President Dwight D. Eisenhower

 

 

 

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