Climates

Of Idiocy and Optimal Climates

Read More: Michael D. Griffin, James Hansen
By now it's zinging around more or less everywhere. NASA administrator Michael Griffin made this mind-boggling statement to NPR:
I have no doubt that a trend of global warming exists. I am not sure that it is fair to say that it is a problem we must wrestle with. To assume that it is a problem is to assume that the state of Earth's climate today is the optimal climate, the best climate that we could have or ever have had and that we need to take steps to make sure that it doesn't change. I guess I would ask which human beings -- where and when -- are to be accorded the privilege of deciding that this particular climate that we have right here today, right now is the best climate for all other human beings. I think that's a rather arrogant position for people to take.
To be fair to Griffin, there's the germ of an interesting point here. Climate has varied dramatically in past eras of the Earth's history. And these variations in climate have most assuredly favored some parts of the world at the expense of others. Ongoing global warming is, inevitably, going to have the same effect. There are going to be at least some winners, along with all the losers.
So far so good.
But as the blog Prometheus points out, what Griffin is ignoring is the whole issue of risk and its distribution. Our global society is set up for--adapted to--the current climate. But now we're moving in the direction of raising the sea level considerably--even as much of the global population is coastal--and melting large amounts of ice, while also altering the occurrence of phenomena, such as droughts, that could have a dramatic impact on food and water supplies.
How can anyone think this is not a tremendous societal risk, even if there might be some people--in, say, Buffalo, New York--who may actually have more pleasant weather under global warming?
NASA is already backtracking. James Hansen, the agency's top climatologist, is slamming his boss. Assuredly there will be many more jeers and groans over the course of the day.
But let's not forget the big picture. Michael Griffin said something obtuse in one press interview. But the Bush administration has more or less acted, for seven years, as if it agrees with him.

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Study Finds Cocaine, Pot in Rome's Air"

See Rome and get high!

ROME — Researchers may have figured out what makes la vita so dolce in Rome. A report from Italy's National Research Council released Thursday found that there are traces of cocaine and cannabis in the air of the Eternal City.
The institute made the discovery during a study of toxic substances in the air of Rome, Taranto, in the heel of boot-shaped Italy, as well as in Algiers. The results found that in Rome, there were traces of cocaine and cannabis _ as well as nicotine, caffeine and benzopirene, which is commonly released in cigarette smoke and auto emissions.
"The highest concentrations of cocaine were found in the center of Rome and especially in the area of the University of La Sapienza," said Dr. Angelo Cecinato, who led the investigation.
Researchers can't say for sure why the high concentrations were registered in those locations, but Cecinato stressed that the findings didn't necessarily mean that cocaine and cannabis are more heavily used the
The report said the maximum concentration of cocaine in Rome _ 0.1 nanograms per cubic meter _ was five times less than the legal limit for toxic substances in the air. Nevertheless, researchers said even the small amount was reason for concern.
There were small traces of the drugs found in Taranto and none in Algiers, the researchers said.
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Andrew Gumbel
Bush, Translated
George Bush on global warming is one of those marriages of speaker and subject that can't help but generate its own peculiar brand of spectacular bullshit. The president's speech to the United States Global Leadership Council today was no exception. In fact, it generated enough hot air to create its own microclimate -- of obfuscation, double-speak and rank insincerity. For those of you who prefer your political messages in plain English, here is a translation of some of his choice remarks.
BUSH: In recent years, science has deepened our understanding of climate change and opened new possibilities for confronting it.
TRANSLATION: In recent years, my refusal to acknowledge the reality and seriousness of global warming has turned me into a laughing-stock and contributed to my record low poll numbers. So now I have to look like I'm interested.
BUSH: The United States takes this issue seriously.
TRANSLATION: Al Gore takes this issue seriously, his movie was a big hit, and it's causing me no end of grief.
BUSH: The new initiative I am outlining today will contribute to the important dialogue that will take place in Germany next week.
TRANSLATION: The new initiative I am outlining today will put the brakes on the much more robust proposal the Germans are putting forward at the G8. As long as the dialogue continues, we won't have to abide by any binding decisions.
BUSH: By the end of next year, America and other nations will set a long-term global goal for reducing greenhouse gases.
TRANSLATION: By the end of next year, I'll be weeks away from the end of my presidency and then this can be someone else's problem.
BUSH: To develop this goal, the United States will convene a series of meetings of nations that produce the most greenhouse gasses, including nations with rapidly growing economies like India and China.
TRANSLATION: We're going to look as busy as we can without actually doing anything.
BUSH: Each country would establish midterm management targets and programs that reflect their own mix of energy sources and future energy needs.
TRANSLATION: Nobody will actually be obliged to take any painful decisions.
BUSH: Over the past six years, my administration has spent, along with the Congress, more than $12 billion in research on clean energy technology.
TRANSLATION: But we've spent a lot more molly-coddling my buddies in the oil and gas industries. Not to mention Iraq...
BUSH: We're the world's leader when it comes to figuring out new ways to power our economy and be good stewards of the environment.
TRANSLATION: But we're also the world's leader in allowing our political decisions to be determined by the power of energy industry lobbyists.
BUSH: America makes a compact with developing nations. We give aid, and in return they agree to implement democratic reforms, to fight corruption, to invest in their people -- particularly in health and education -- and to promote economic freedom.
TRANSLATION: We reserve the right to tell them what to do, while continuing to act however we please.
BUSH: We're spending a lot of money on clean, safe nuclear power.
TRANSLATION: The nuclear power industry has Dick Cheney's ear, and mine too.
BUSH: We are a compassionate nation.
TRANSLATION: Until the bombing begins.