An Inconvenient Truth (Original)

[Athena Nike]

johnee

Member
Member # 1580

  posted 12-20-2006 12:08 AM                   
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Termite farts are believed to be a major contributor towards global warming.

Three years ago New Zealand signed the Koyoto accord and proposed a 'flatulence tax' on livestock owners. This met with howls of protest from the farmers and was apparently dropped.

I remember seeing on TV several years ago an Australian experiment to measure methane emmissions from cows. They set up methane detectors around a coral but the measurements were very erratic due to wind. Another problem is that methane is lighter than air so with no wind the methane tends to disperse vertically. This caused me to wonder just how the UN came up with their numbers.

Anyhow, my search for how the UN got its' numbers has been unsuccessful so far. However I have found some interesting links, the best of which is [www.heptune.com] which is set up in Q&A format.

Is it true that cow farts contribute to global warming?
Recent research has shown that most methane produced by cows and sheep emerges from the mouth rather than the anus. So one could more accurately say that cow and sheep belches are contributing to global warming. New Zealand researchers are investigating methods of breeding methane-free sheep.

However it seems that the UN is ignoring another huge source of methane gas production - termites. The deforestation to develop more grasslands for cattle will consequently reduce termite numbers. Maybe they should factor that into their study!

What kind of animal has the highest worldwide output of flatus?
Believe it or not, the animal that wins this honor is the humble termite. Because of their diet and digestive processes (with more than the usual microbial assistance), they produce as much methane as human industry. Termite farts are believed to be a major contributor towards global warming.

and

Is there such a thing as a fossil fart?
Fossil farts are extremely rare, but they have recently been discovered to exist by University of Massachusetts at Amherst biologist Lynn Margulis and her colleagues. The scientists had noticed that fossils of a particular species of termite, trapped in amber, were always accompanied by bubbles of gas. The scientists drilled into the trapped bubbles and analyzed the gases inside, and found them to be rich in methane and carbon dioxide. They had also found gut microbes fossilized within the termites' intestines. Their hypothesis is that the microbes continued to live and digest the termite's last meal, even after the termite had been trapped in tree sap and died. These intestinal gases then seeped out of the termite, forming bubbles in the sap. Eventually the sap hardened into amber, containing fossil termites, fossil microbes, and fossil farts. You can see a photograph of a fossil termite and its farts on the cover of the March 30, 2002 issue of Science News.

also of interest is

Why are beans so notorious for making people fart?
Beans contain sugars that we humans cannot digest. The most offensive sugars, known as "flatulence factors" to scientists who research farts, are raffinose, stachiose, and verbascose. When these sugars reach our intestines, the bacteria go wild, have a big feast, and make lots of gas!
Other notorious fart-producing foods include corn, bell peppers, cauliflower, cabbage, milk, bread, eggs, beer, and raisins. People unable to digest milk due to lactose intolerance will suffer extreme flatulence if they consume dairy products.
A friend of mine had a dog who was exceptionally fond of apples and turnips. The dog would eat these things and then get prodigious gas. A dog's digestive system is not equipped to handle such vegetable matter, so the dog's bacteria worked overtime to produce remarkable flatulence.

Benjamin Franklin's "Fart Proudly" is still in print and should make interesting reading.


By Allen Shumaker
Moooo-over Detroit Thread,
“Hall of Ma’at” Laboratory,
December 17 2006

Too funny and the more I read about the first American the more interesting he gets, I want that book. LOL.
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Posts: 1774 | Registered: Jul 2003   

[Athena Nike]

19Merlin69
unregistered


  posted 12-20-2006 01:34 PM             
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quote:
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Originally posted by johnee:
He was seen posting like a man possessed over at the hall of truth Merlin and at another forum where he mostly behaved, then I think the men in white-coats caught up and cached marduk in a net.
Probably turn up again, like a bad penny.
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It is certainly good to hear that he's still around. I miss him sometimes. Believe it or not, when he's on his meds - he's a heck of a lot of fun. He's also pretty sharp, however off his meds he's a different story altogether. 

[Athena Nike]

Ishtar was here 777

Member
Member # 736

  posted 12-20-2006 02:57 PM                   
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http://washingtontimes.com/op-ed/20061218-093211-5741r.htm

tackle this one merl,


It is strange that both briefs ignore the only relevant evidence, published in May 2006 by the federal Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). Instead, the petitioners give undue weight to a hurriedly assembled National Academy report of June 2001. They are 90 percent sure that current warming is anthropogenic but don't explain why. By contrast, the federal climate-change program report shows quite clearly that greenhouse models cannot explain the observed patterns of warming. (See esp. Fig. 5.4G at www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap1-1/finalreport/default.htm.) This disparity leads to the inescapable conclusion that most of the warming is of non-greenhouse origin and therefore part of a natural climate cycle. In other words, models exaggerate the effects of CO2, and even drastic efforts to control emissions are unlikely to affect global climate.
In fact, there is good reason to consider rising CO2 levels a blessing -- a thesis supported by published economic studies. Agronomists agree that, as the essential plant food, more CO2 would enhance growth of crops and forests. Longer growing seasons and fewer frosts would benefit agriculture. Further, ocean warming inevitably increases evaporation and therefore precipitation, raising global supplies of fresh water. In addition, most warming would occur mainly at night in winter at high latitudes. Such warming may delay or even cancel the next ice age, expected to follow the present warm interglacial period.
Thus, the drive to regulate CO2 -- and effectively control energy -- appears to be based on ideology rather than science or any real concern about climate. Quoting Lenin: "The establishment of socialism in capitalist nations requires only targeting their supply of energy."

Atmospheric physicist S. Fred Singer is professor emeritus of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia and a former director of the U.S. Weather Satellite Service. His most recent book is "Unstoppable Global Warming — Every 1500 Years."
http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/CalThomas/2006/12/20/politics_the_new_religion

You know I have to look for the logic since I don't have the expertise.

cute Johnee, 

Yes Jason I "C'ied and P'sted, a similar if not same one,I knew that.

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The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."

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Posts: 12635 | Registered: Feb 2002 

[Athena Nike]

Ishtar was here 777

Member
Member # 736

  posted 12-20-2006 03:07 PM                   
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Washington Warming to Southern Plants

By David A. Fahrenthold
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 20, 2006; Page A01

A warming climate in the Washington area is beginning to affect the area's trees, with cold-loving species finding the weather less welcoming and southern transplants thriving, according to findings released yesterday by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/19/AR2006121901769.html

and I am C&P'ing this one too,I realize I am doing it,everyone doesn't have to keep reminding me.

I don't have much to say I just share the information.

WE need both sides to weigh and measure.

[ 12-20-2006, 03:09 PM: Message edited by: SOPHIA-777 ]

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The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."

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Posts: 12635 | Registered: Feb 2002   

[Athena Nike]

Brig

Administrator
Member # 802

  posted 12-20-2006 04:24 PM                   
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I am: The gas hot water boiler is supposed to be one of the most heat effiecient systems. I guess the ventless natural gas heater would top it. Its supposed to be 85% effective. Anyway, other than having a stove in each room of this place; its the only system possible with out major restructuring of the house. At present it is still more cost effective than electric; but if gas keeps going up, it may not be in the future.
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Posts: 12053 | From: Old Washington, Ohio , USA | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged |   

[Athena Nike]

Ishtar was here 777

Member
Member # 736

  posted 12-20-2006 05:08 PM                   
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http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=10778

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The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."

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Posts: 12635 | Registered: Feb 2002 

[Athena Nike]

I_am_that_I_am

Member
Member # 1238

Member Rated:
   posted 12-20-2006 11:19 PM                   
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quote:
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I am: The gas hot water boiler is supposed to be one of the most heat effiecient systems
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Cool, i was wondering if it was gas or oil, though I don't think efficiency was the subject, but any co2 from heating.

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KNOW that as ye do unto the least of thy associates ye do unto the GOD within THEE that is in the image of the God without.
I_AM that I_AM, and that I_AM, and that I_AM,and that I_AM, and that I_AM !
GOD is every I_AM!
But every I_AM is not GOD !

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Posts: 2176 | From: Nashville, TN. | Registered: Nov 2002  |  IP: Lo

[Athena Nike]

Jeremy Dokken

Member
Member # 2877

Member Rated:
   posted 12-21-2006 04:32 AM                   
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Posts: 214 | Registered: Dec 2005 

[Athena Nike]

Jeremy Dokken

Member
Member # 2877

Member Rated:
   posted 12-21-2006 04:34 AM                   
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Posts: 214 | Registered: Dec 2005   

http://forums.atlantisrising.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=28;t=000023;p=26

[Athena Nike]

Brig

Administrator
Member # 802

  posted 12-21-2006 04:35 PM                   
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There are too many variables to correctly prognosticate the trends of weather. It appears that there is a warming cycle at present. That cycle could be very short in duration. Scientists are only now beginning to understand past weather patterns. As yet, not nearly enough data is available to make more than spectulative educated guesses about the future. I clearly remember in the early 70s, scientists claiming the earth was about to enter a new Ice Age. Your cartoons are funny but hardly accurate. You had better hope the cycles are natural and not man made because there is no way anyone is going to stop the third world from advancing economically. Their industrial advancement is going to mean that todays pollution is nothing compared with whats coming. So if you're right about people causing global warming, my advice to you is to buy up land in antartica and move there. Santa Claus is gonna have water in his livingroom. The artic will be all ocean. 
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Posts: 12053 | From: Old Washington, Ohio , USA | Registered: Apr 2002 

[Athena Nike]

Caleb

New Member
Member # 3230

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   posted 12-22-2006 02:22 AM                   
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"I clearly remember in the early 70s, scientists claiming the earth was about to enter a new Ice Age."

But there was never the scientific consensus that an Ice Age was coming (nor the evidence) that there exists for global warming. I actually looked to see which scientists did supposedly predict a coming Ice Age and actually couldn't find any.

The theory that global warming is caused by humans has been around since the 50's, I think.
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Posts: 18 | Registered: Sep 2006   

[Athena Nike]

Ishtar was here 777

Member
Member # 736

  posted 12-22-2006 08:52 AM                   
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I actually looked to see which scientists did supposedly predict a coming Ice Age and actually couldn't find any.


Caleb that is a good subject to look into,

http://www.whoi.edu/institutes/occi/viewArticle.do?id=9986

Well, your guess is as good as mine,

Study: Less Acid Rain Not Always So Great

By Sara Goudarzi
LiveScience Staff Writer
posted: 21 December 2006
03:00 pm ET



Acid rainfall in the Appalachian Mountains has decreased in recent years and organisms in its streams are thriving. But the environmental comeback could be creating new problems of its own, scientists say.



A drop in nitric and sulfuric acid levels in the streams is changing biological activity in the ecosystem and hiking dissolved carbon levels, scientists reported at the American Geophysical Union conference last week in San Francisco.



Dissolved carbon dioxide occurs as a result of organism respiration and decay of organic matter. It is a key source of acidity in pristine water.



"These are unexpected results," said David DeWalle, a researcher at Pennsylvania State University. "Rising amounts of carbon dioxide in streams and soil could have implications for the forest ecosystem, and the carbon balance in general."



DeWalle and his colleagues have been monitoring five Appalachian streams almost every month since 1990 and studying the effects of reduced sulfur emissions—a major source of acid rain. The emission reduction is a result of the Clean Air Act aimed at lowering smog and atmospheric pollution.

http://www.livescience.com/environment/061221_acidrain_reduction.html

[ 12-22-2006, 09:09 AM: Message edited by: SOPHIA-777 ]

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The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."

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Posts: 12635 | Registered: Feb 2002   

[Athena Nike]

Ishtar was here 777

Member
Member # 736

  posted 12-22-2006 09:20 AM                   
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Barking up the wrong tree



Planting trees to combat climate change is a waste of time, according to a study by ecologists, who say that most forests do not have any overall effect on global temperature, while those furthest from the equator could actually be making global warming worse.

“The idea that you can go out and plant a tree and help reverse global warming is an appealing, feel-good thing,’’ said Professor Ken Caldeira of the global ecology department at the Carnegie Institution of Washington in Stanford, California, a co-author of the study: To Plant Forests to Mitigate Climate Change Outside of the Tropics is a Waste of Time.
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=294204&area=/insight/insight__international/

Global Warming Ate My Insurance Policy
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thecheckout/2006/12/allstate_cuts_off_coastal_resi.html?nav=rss_blog


Paul Ehrlich's 1968 book, "The Population Bomb," predicted worldwide famine by 2000.

In spite of his being so wrong, he received a $250,000 prize from the Heinz Foundation.

Scientist Jim Hansen, leading "Global Warming" doomster, received the same prize from the Kerry connected group. Warming crusader Al Gore founded Generation Investment Management.

His company will make tons of money if carbon trading and carbon taxes based upon the man-made global warming hoax are implemented.

[ 12-22-2006, 09:21 AM: Message edited by: SOPHIA-777 ]

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The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."

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Posts: 12635 | Registered: Feb 2002

[Athena Nike]

 
Brig

Administrator
Member # 802

  posted 12-22-2006 06:20 PM                   
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Because you failed to find it does not mean it was not said. At the time we were experiencing some really hellish winters and deep snowfalls.
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Posts: 12053 | From: Old Washington, Ohio , USA 
 

[Athena Nike]

19Merlin69
unregistered


  posted 12-22-2006 07:51 PM             
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I agree Sophie & Brig, the data to decide does not exist.

I still vote "Cyclic weather" over "man-made global warming".
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