CO2 Global Warming: Proven or Unproven?

Unproven wins hands-down.

From CO2 Science:

Anthropogenic-CO2-Induced Global Warming: Proven or Unproven?
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The fact that there has been little to no net warming of the earth over the past dozen or so years, in almost all of the global temperature databases that are maintained by the various research groups that study this important subject, has led many people to suggest that anthropogenic CO2 emissions are not having the large global warming effect the world’s climate alarmists assign to it. And this fact has led many climate alarmists to devise complex explanations for this dilemma.

On 12 August 2011, for example, Science published Solomon et al.’s contribution to this effort, which begins with the statement that “understanding climate changes on time scales of years, decades, centuries, or more requires determining the effects of all external drivers of radiative forcing of earth’s climate, including anthropogenic greenhouse gases and aerosols, natural aerosols, and solar forcing, as well as natural internal variability.” The result of their effort in this undertaking was the finding that “near-global satellite aerosol data imply a negative radiative forcing due to stratospheric aerosol changes over this period [since AD 2000] of about -0.1watt per square meter, reducing the recent global warming that would otherwise have occurred,” although they emphasize that additional contributions to global climate variations of the past and future decades such as from solar variations, natural variability, or other processes “are not ruled out by this study,” which pretty much means that the study does not mean very much, and that it can thus be forgotten within the context within which it was conducted.

. . .

Clearly, the weight of real-world evidence continues to suggest that it is the recurrent millennial-scale cycling of earth’s mean global air temperature that has been responsible for the bulk of the warming of the 20th century, which could yet continue its upward course, level out, or begin a slow decline; for this phenomenon has created such warmings and subsequent coolings time and time again without any help from mankind. And if it’s done so before – innumerable times, in fact – it can do it again. In fact, it has actually got to be expected that it would do so, and at about this point in earth’s history.

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More Lithops Flowers

I put the pot with the lithops succulents outside the patio where the morning sun can shine on them. All I can say is that they must like it there. These are the three latest flowers produced this early spring. Click on the image to enlarge.

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2012 Annular Eclipse Trip Update

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Since February, we have modified our plans to view the Great Annular Solar Eclipse of 2012. We originally thought that we would like to view the eclipse from Chinle, AZ, near Canyon de Chelly National Park. That would have been nice, but although the RV campgrounds in that area are nice, they don’t offer full hookups for the new travel trailer (electric, water, sewer). So, we redirected our target to another Arizona location near the center line of the eclipse path: Page, AZ, near Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam.

I called the campground and confirmed our reservations for the nights of May 19 and 20. The eclipse will occur near sundown on the 20th. If the weather cooperates, we should have front-row seats for the show. I also ordered custom eclipse shades specifically printed for for the 2012 event from Rainbow Symphony.

We also planned a few other stops to maximize our journey into Northern Arizona. Don’t forget that there are some other attractions nearby, such as Grand Canyon, Wupatki, Sunset Crater and lots of Apache and Navajo sights. It’s going to be fun.

Happy Birthday Beethoven

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Today is Beethoven’s second birthday. We have had Bay Bay a little less than six months, now, and he has been a very nice little dog. It is our understanding that we are his fourth home. We are mystified that anyone would give this affectionate, intelligent and (for the most part) obedient little guy up for adoption. At any rate, he seems happy in his new home and seems to love the family and the other two dogs. Happy Birthday Little Handsome One! Click on the image to enlarge.

One Step Closer

I went on-line and applied for an RV loan from our credit union. Within a few minutes, I received an email that said the loan was conditionally approved. A couple of hours after that, a credit union representative called and we discussed some details about income sources and credit history. Tomorrow, a credit union “closer” will be in contact to finalize the deal. It looks like the travel trailer may be here within a week.

Damsel took some photos of the unit we’re probably going to get on the lot yesterday. The slide show below shows some of the interior and exterior details. Roll over images with mouse to pause slideshow – roll out to resume.

RV Shopping

trailer.jpgWe drove to El Mirage today to look at RV trailers for rent. Not mentioning any names, but when we pulled in the lot and started to inspect the trailers, Damsel noticed quite a few things that were below par for her taste in travel accommodations. I won’t go into details, but we packed up and headed back up the road to an RV Dealer we know about. I actually planned for this eventuality, and had the GPS already programmed for the dealers lot.

Image: 26 foot RV we’re considering (courtesy Damsel). Click to enlarge.

Damsel and I walked around the lot looking at the different sizes and flavors of RV trailers. A very nice salesman, “Bob,” answered questions without being pushy. He left us to wander through the models and talk amongst ourselves. Damsel and I both liked the trailer shown in the image. It has a nice floor plan and lots of features we like.

Now for the hard part – getting all the numbers crunched and to come up with a plan to get financing, insurance and whatever else in place. We’re still committed to get to the great annular eclipse of 2012, one way or another.