Comments on: Climate change gets personal

By: Andreas Schmittner, College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences

Andreas Schmittner, College of Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:44:17 +0000

Bill: Man is not to blame for the ice age cycles. Those happen on
a time scale of 100,000 years and are caused by cyclic variations
of the Earth’s orbit around the sun (Milankovic theory). We think
that the global average surface air temperature was about 3-5 K
(8 degrees F) colder during the hight of the last ice age 20,000 years ago, a time when huge 2 mile thick ice sheets covered all of
Canada. This shows us that a relatively small (3-5 K) change in
global average temperature can have a big effect on regional climate.

Cody is right that man’s activities have contributed only a small fraction (1 K or 0.25%) to the natural greenhouse effect. The effect
of all water vapor and CO2 in the atmosphere is to warm the surface
by about 40 K (~70 degrees F). But if we continue to emit CO2 into
the atmosphere climate could warm by 2-5 K, which is a similar
change than that from the last ice age to today. Thus we can expect
quite dramatic changes in regional climate (in particular the polar
regions but also others).

By: Rachael Mueller, COAS

Rachael Mueller, COAS — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 17:41:50 +0000

There are a couple of great, local resources for those of you who are interested in climate change (human-induced or otherwise).

The Geoscience department is hosting a climate change seminar series with an A-star list of scientists. The next speaker will discuss Sea Level Rise contributions from Antarctica and Greenland, this Friday at 4pm (1109 Cordley). More information at:

Bev Law (Forestry) is also offering a reading and conference on the topic to openly discuss the literature and scientific evidence. These meetings are every Thursday 3–3:50 pm, Peavy 224, and are open to everyone (regardless of enrollment). Contact Bev for this week’s reading topic (bev.law@oregonstate.edu).

In regard to a couple of the postings listed here, these websites may be of interest.

We are lucky to be on a campus with so many experts and resources. Since the internet is fickle friend (both easy to learn from and misleading), I highly encourage those with inquiry to utilize our local resources in order to prevent being misled by fallacy arguments.

Best of luck on your enquiries!

By: Amanda Johnston COS

Amanda Johnston COS — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:36:02 +0000

This was an opportunity unmatched by anything offered in a classroom to experience and understand the extents of human impacts on the entire biosphere, from depleted fisheries to climate change and pollution.

By: Bill Banash, College of Business

Bill Banash, College of Business — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 17:33:47 +0000

Eric – While I enjoyed reading those current websites you posted, I read nothing of how much we are really to blame with regards to previous ice ages. While we obviously contribute to the fact, I was looking for evidence of contribution not the speed of the process. I think this makes for a good educated debate!

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:45:43 +0000

Wow, way to quote a 6 year old website. CO2 and man made pollution is definitely driving global warming. That website is outdated in its claims. Also, the sources it sites are highly irrelevant. Here’s some more relevant information and sources:

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/global-warming-47021802?

http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/feb2009/2009-02-16-01.asp

By: Cody Skinwalker Mitchell-Chavez

Cody Skinwalker Mitchell-Chavez — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 23:32:44 +0000

Human activity so far accounts for 0.28% of the theoretical greenhouse effect. 0.117% is CO2. Greenhouse gasses are vaporous mater in the atmosphere that hold retain a significant amount of heat. Water is the champion. Not only does it have a high specific heat, it also is very, very massive when looking at the atmospheric make-up on earth.

These students are correct in the assumption the earth is warming, but to worry about their “carbon footprint” is insignificant. You’re talking about 0.00117 of every one degree is man-generated.

http://www.geocraft.com/WVFossils/greenhouse_data.html

By: Bill Banash

Bill Banash — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 03:47:24 +0000

I am curious as to hear some interpretations of global warming and the natural process of the Earth. For instance, we once had an ice age yet all that ice retreated and melted away, mankind had nothing to do with that warming process so can we really be ALL to blame or are we just a fraction of fault?

By: Elisa Krueger

Elisa Krueger — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:36:42 +0000

I had so much fun! One of the most amazing experiences of my life!!