Okay, appreciate your opinion here (and elsewhere), which differ from mine at times, but I respect your views and your perspective.

I can see your argument as being fodder for that belief, but as far as scientists making money (which it is definitely not a big $ field :-), this is very subtle. As a scientis... I can see your argument as being fodder for that belief, but as far as scientists making money (which it is definitely not a big $ field :-), this is very subtle. As a scientist working in the field of atmospheric physics myself and knowing with my mathematics training that I could go into a really high paying business job, I can attest first-hand that my dependence upon successful grant writing is not something I'd chose to do in its own merit. The harrowing process of grant writing is necessary for just my own survival. However, considering this level of difficulty in the field and the competition, most scientists are in the field because of their strong passion for the subject of atmospheric and climate processes. Like all human beings, we may be subject to prejudices and agendas, but science is definitely a greater calling to serve society through the pursuit of greater understanding of our universe and means to improve life on earth. It's an exciting, but challenging endeavor in exploring how things work in our universe. Scientific method and our understanding of physics has led the consensus scientific opinion to conclude (a) global warming is being observed (which you can see in the above link to NASA GISS data), and (b) that the most likely explanation for much of the warming is anthropogenic greenhouse gases. There is of course a great deal of debate in the scientific community trying to wrap up the complexities of the climate system. The different scenarios that are left within the envelop of uncertainty and the most likely scenario for our future climate suggest that climate change should at least be considered an important societal concern. Thus, even a Republican-led Congress has found themselves convinced that the need to continue scientific funding is necessary to continue to unravel the mysteries of climate change, because climate change may have such profound consequences on humanity. Thus, science is difficult but rewarding work that needs a monetary backbone to survive - I can say most scientists are definitely not in it for the $, but for the satisfaction of discovery and contributing useful information that can benefit society, commerce, and human well-being. (more)

Your entire premise for this question is wrong. The earth has experienced a cold winter, but it is still above the long-term average and definitely not the coldest winter in ove... Your entire premise for this question is wrong. The earth has experienced a cold winter, but it is still above the long-term average and definitely not the coldest winter in over 60 years. In terms of meteorological stations, January was the coldest month since mid-2004. In terms of the land-ocean temperature index and Hadley-Crut, January was the coldest it's been in about a decade. It's warming up since then. These high frequency variations are normal, but the long-term trend is warming, and 2008 is still above the long-term average for global temperature.

Here's more NASA GISS Data to see for yourself: http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gis... Here you go - the long-term monthly average record (tropics and globe) - cold in early 2008, but you get the picture) (more)

Some people have helped me gain new perspective on issues. The people I have benefitted the most from are people I have gotten deep into debate with, particularly those who hav... Some people have helped me gain new perspective on issues. The people I have benefitted the most from are people I have gotten deep into debate with, particularly those who have taken the time to vigorously challenge me from a completely different political or philosophical viewpoint. (more)

Crap, I guess I should re-schedule my Heaven's Gate re-enactment scheduled for Christmas 2012.

I think it is one of the highest forms of human expression. Nothing in my life has fulfilled me at the same level, except maybe tornadic weather, the wilderness, or my loved ones.

I will have a hard time ever forgiving him for the Iraq War and mismanaging the Afghanistan war, but it is just as much the fault of his administration too. I want to forgive a... I will have a hard time ever forgiving him for the Iraq War and mismanaging the Afghanistan war, but it is just as much the fault of his administration too. I want to forgive and not judge. That is up to God to really judge. I believe he often meant well, but I honestly think he took the wrong calling in life. I'm sick of Bush bashing, but I also think he is what he is. We should go forward by trying to learn from all his mistakes while not wasting all our energy on hating. The yin and the yang. (more)

Wow, I've never tried this one before, but I'm betting it would be my favorite. I love all cheesecakes so all of the above might work too.

Well, maybe among many music historians, but I think it's a tie between Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Bill Haley and Fats Domino. Of course, Elvis is in the to... Well, maybe among many music historians, but I think it's a tie between Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Bill Haley and Fats Domino. Of course, Elvis is in the top tier of rock and roll history. (more)

Charles Mingus (Dave Brubeck is a close second). However, my soul is indepted to the above musicians as well - all of whom are incredible.

I wonder how much worse it will have to get before people demand more government regulation. Another example of why an unregulated free market just isn't going to work for ... I wonder how much worse it will have to get before people demand more government regulation. Another example of why an unregulated free market just isn't going to work for many people.

But I guess to most of us, paying $1000 to a company is much better than paying an addition $5 in taxes to the government, whether we're talking road maintenance, health coverage, education, regulating mortgage practices, ad infinitum. (more)

Although the original bailout should have been much more strict to prevent this from happening. Govt regulation is needed. Hope Obama and Congress really cracks down on this g... Although the original bailout should have been much more strict to prevent this from happening. Govt regulation is needed. Hope Obama and Congress really cracks down on this growing deregulation problem that got us into this terrible recession in the first place. (more)

No, I completely disagree. You are correct that CO2 is a trace gas, but it is not correct to say that it is radiatively insignificant. Also, increasing CO2 heats the atmospher... No, I completely disagree. You are correct that CO2 is a trace gas, but it is not correct to say that it is radiatively insignificant. Also, increasing CO2 heats the atmosphere, and by the Clausius Clapeyron relationship, increased temperatures increase the air's capacity for holding water vapor. Thus, a positive feedback occurs with atmospheric heating in that more water vapor is added to the atmosphere, increasing the greenhouse gas concentrations even more.

As far as cutting CO2 significantly, I agree that we may be in for a major challenge. The population growth across the planet is staggering and Asian use of fossil fuels is growing rapidly. We are lucky if we can even hold CO2 steady. Research and development should be included in Package #1 above, which is relatively cheap if we can find a really innovative solution to this problem. (more)

I think the number of right-minded folks on here are not representative of the US population. Also, the questions that get featured as the top questions on the site seemed to ... I think the number of right-minded folks on here are not representative of the US population. Also, the questions that get featured as the top questions on the site seemed to be often biased more toward the right than the left. (more)

I haven't been following Martian climate, so I can not speak as an authority on that. I've heard this argument frequently, but supposing this is true that the climate o... I haven't been following Martian climate, so I can not speak as an authority on that. I've heard this argument frequently, but supposing this is true that the climate of Mars is warming (beyond just the south pole), this still isn't a smoking gun to me. Regardless, it appears that this isn't well understood by the "experts" either, but there are some interesting ideas: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... http://mpfwww.jpl.nasa.gov/mg... Regardless, presuming the depletion of the southern hemispheric ice cap of Mars and Earth's warming are due to the same factor, it most likely would be the sun's output that is the culprit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... This data doesn't correspond very well with temperature trends on earth. What's more, the known estimate of radiative forcing by human-induced greenhouse gases is ~1.7 W/m^2, which is even greater than the variability in the sun's irradiance. Not to dismiss the skeptics view, but the skeptics are treating it as a smoking gun, and that is just as religious a view as the global warming alarmists. I'll be more interested to hear about developments on the two simultaneous planetary trends (from a peer-reviewed perspective). (more)

I disagree with aspects of your assertions. First, it is well known (via objective satellite imagery) that the Arctic sea ice is in a declining trend (in the long-term - again,... I disagree with aspects of your assertions. First, it is well known (via objective satellite imagery) that the Arctic sea ice is in a declining trend (in the long-term - again, with interannual variability superimposed upon a longer secular trend). Second, Antartica is having mixed trends. There are some interesting arguments that suggest increased snowfall may be impacting ice gains in Antartica, but this may not be comforting since this may imply increased water vapor and storminess in Antarctica due to global warming (a negative feedback though). Other portions / ice sheets in Antarctica are declining. Overall, the long-term trend in global ice is downward.

The data itself is found at this wonderful site maintained by a research group at the University of Illinois: http://arctic.atmos.uiuc.edu/... (more)

Obviously there exist much uncertainty in climate science today, but as Roberto and I have debated in many other polls/blogs, I feel (based on the mountains of peer-reviewed res... Obviously there exist much uncertainty in climate science today, but as Roberto and I have debated in many other polls/blogs, I feel (based on the mountains of peer-reviewed research on the topic) it is highly likely (a) much of the observed temperature increases over the last century can be largely explained by human-related greenhouse gas emissions, and (b) that continued increases in long-lived GHGs will continue to add additional heating into the atmosphere. Many uncertainties exist, which include our climate models (which especially need improvements in their parameterization of deep, moist clouds and precipitation, low-level cloudiness, ocean physics, and land-surface parameterizations including ecological changes over long timescales). That said, basic radiation theory and quantum mechanics confirms the radiative importance of CO2 (9-26 % of the earth's greenhouse effect, which we've already increased from 290 ppm to 385 ppm as described above in not so threatening terms ;-), water vapor (a significant portion of the greenhouse effect, some of which is increased through feedbacks of human-induced GHGs), methane (much increased by humans), etc. Human-related GHGs are estimated to add about 1.7 W/m^2 of heating to the troposphere, which, according to "climate sensitivity" calculations, adds about 0.7 C - 2 C warming. This forcing will increase as human population increases and output therefore increases. If sulfur dioxide output continues to decrease, the GHGs we've already added will even add more forcing. A good report on radiative forcing is provided by the National Academy of Sciences: http://books.nap.edu/openbook... A good report on climate change (based on peer-reviewed research and based on peer-review in the synthesis of the report is given by the IPCC): http://www.ipcc.ch/ipccreport... (more)

Your point brings up another important point. While I personally am convinced of the human role in climate change, I also think our societal focus on this has allowed a lot of ... Your point brings up another important point. While I personally am convinced of the human role in climate change, I also think our societal focus on this has allowed a lot of potentially more important environmental crises to slip under the radar. Big business will get away with polluting and compromising many aspects of our dwindling environment while environmentalists are all wrapped up in the global warming craze. That said, I don't think global warming should be easily dismissed as it has by the general public in these last two cold winters. (more)