The first set of climate links are now up, but not yet organized into categories. I'll sort these out when I update with a new set of links. Just click on Climate Links.
I'm just back from the CopperCon25 in Phoenix where I presented my second report on the climate situation. In short, we know a lot of facts, but because the problem is so complex, we can't forecast the future with very much confidence. Is it getting warmer? The data says clearly 'Yes'. Will it continue to get warmer? Probably, but it could do other things too. Check out the whole report to see just how difficult it is.
All of this is summarized in a PDF that can be downloaded (with shift key) Here.
Finally, after much delay, the report in PDF is now available for download (with shift key). I apologize to all who expected this much sooner, and will do better in the future. Click Here for your copy of the PDF.
I am working on a more detailed report that I will deliver at CopperCon25 in Phoenix the weekend after Labor Day. It is currently scheduled for Friday evening. This is the place to ask questions, provide input and discuss the options. Y'all come.
My research continues into the climate prediction problem. Recently a few of scientists have found additional effects that happen as the climate adjusts to the additional CO2 and other pollutants put out by the US, Europe and now China.
Thursday, June 30, Nova showed part 2 of 2 about "China Rises." The increase in pollution from China is now being registered in the Pacific Northwest. Pictures of Bejing in a gray smog worse than LA were startling. Seventy percent of their energy is generated from coal, and the power plants have no pollution controls. But worse than that, China built cars still have 10 year old pollution controls which are quite ineffective. Car pollution is overtaking energy generation as the largest source of pollution.
The real threat is the growth of the car population. Chinese are getting just as car mad as the US, but their 1.2 billion population could easily absorb 600 million cars. That's roughly equal to the US, Europe and India. All this in a country somewhat larger than the US, but with a more rugged terrain and less farmland.
One can only hope that the Communist party, which still rules China with a strong hand, will move to correct this situation promptly. In the past, the Party has shown its willingness to shut down old polluting facilities, so there is some basis for hope.
Due to a case of the Traveler's Trots and damage to my laptop on the return flight, the PDF version of the report will be delayed a bit more. I'm still wrestling with the upgrade on my web management system, and hope to take two falls out of three. Just this short update for now.
This will be the place where I will provide information on climate issues. For starters, anyone who wants to help should go to http://boinc.berkeley.edu and join climateprediction.net. Add your system to the effort to predict climate trends in the 21st century.
When you're up and running, join the PacificNorthWest team. I'll be setting up a collaboration capability shortly. Stay tuned.