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Re: LNT & Global Warming



The problem with global warming is not just a mid-continent

concern--there would be areas that benefit from increased rainfall and

prolonged growing seasons and other areas that will be damaged by drier

conditions. Problematic effects are related to what might be considered

relatively minor changes.



For example, increased rate of melting of the Arctic ice pack will

release substantially more fresh water into the North Atlantic, causing

changes in the fisheries and potentially a shift in the Gulf Stream. 

That can have a profound local climatic effect on the British Isles and

neighboring regions.



If the large Antarctic ice shelves begin to thin, the risk that a major

portion will break away is increased.  These shelves actually dam the

ice cap glaciers, so the result would be increased glacial flow and

iceberg calving.  This situation would lead to an increased rate of sea

level rise.



I dare say that beach-front property owners, no matter what their

political affiliation, will scream for help from the US goverment as

their shoreline accelerates its inland migration.  



Increased incidence of icebergs also affects shipping traffic.  That's a

big concern in some circles.



Bangladesh, Holland, Venice and Fiji will all be in trouble if the sea

level rises only modestly, whether from natural or man-made causes.



Changing precipitation patterns may cause smaller snowpacks in the

Sierra Nevada.  This affects water resouces in California.  What does

that mean to the local economy?



I hear a dismissive attitude on the potential effects of climate change,

but we have a delicately balanced system of agriculture and industry

that is highly dependent on maintaining the status quo.  The local

economic dislocations can be huge, and the federal government shows no

restraint in allocating "disaster relief" funds for natural events such

as droughts or floods.  Global warming could be very expensive to the US

taxpayer.



It's true that predictive models are complex and imperfect.  However to

be dismissive of the potential effects of global warming is a dangerous

policy.  Better to pour the money into good basic research so we can

make rational decisions instead of politicizing the issue.



My own opinion,



Susan Gawarecki

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