Nasa study on Global Warming

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

back in the 1930's the mid west was hit with abnormal weather, that turned millions of square miles of farmland into a giant 'dust bowl'. People thought the midwest would end up being a desert. It didnt.

Ken,
As I remember it, this was as much a fundamental error on the farming methods used as on the actual conditions of the time. The loss of natural grasses on the Great Plains led to widespread wind erosion.

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

Back in the 1970s satellites showed the ozone layer covering the earth was collasping over antartica. Scientist said that within 50 years we would not be able to go outside without protective clothing, and that thousands of species would become extinct. Then the ozone layer recovered by itself, and they realized it was a natural cycle.

I believe this hole continues to grow, but it's rate has been slowed now that certain flurocarbons have come into use in vehicle and home cooling systems. It certainly is difficult to predict long term effects with short term data.

Originally Posted by KenWittlief

If we go back and look at what scientist have predicted in the past, we laugh at them now, so why the disconnect? Why do we laugh at them for getting it so wrong, but take ourselves so seriously?

As in many things, the truth lies somewhere between what we are told and what we have believed in the past. I would rather be overly right in this case and compensate for the effect of man on the rising temperature then to do nothing. Falling back on Boy Scout lore (sorry but it does influence me) one should leave a place in better shape then it was when we first visited. "Take only pictures, leave only memories." And know that even boot prints can effect the local environment under certain conditions.