Global Swarming

Okay, I am really having a hard time with this "global warming" "debate." Joe over at Dartblog seems to get the tone right. The sheer politics of the subject matter completely overwhelms all reason.

I do not think anyone disagrees with the main premise: that the earth average global temperature has been rising in recent history. But where that leads us and what we should do about it is very much in doubt. The Kyoto Protocol is worse then useless for at least two reasons. First, it exempts China and India. If you really want to save the world, you need everyone's cooperation and exempting the two fastest growing economies is absurd. Second, the Protocol is, from a practical perspective, impossible to achieve and has no teeth for punishment. So, why bother.

And by talking about "average" global temperature, you ignore the reality. In fact, the earth is warming in a very un-uniform manner. The Northern Hemisphere seems to be warming, but the Southern Hemisphere, in particular Antarctica, is cooling. What does this mean?

Also, how confident are we that this is a trend that needs addressing? In the 1970's, there were claims we were on the verge of a new Ice Age. Given how accurate that was, should we be rushing to impose new regulations at enormous cost? The claim is that humans are to blame and that changing human activity will solve the problem, but is that true? I believe the scientists are not sure.

Finally, there is the "so what?" response. Okay, the sea levels will rise if the Arctic ice melts, but the Antarctic ice is increasing so shouldn't that mitigate this? Even if it doesn't, so what? Not to be Johnny Raincloud, but I just do not see how any of this will be catastrophic? At least in the sense of a sudden, horrific change. Humans and the ecosystem will adapt and no one is claiming otherwise, as far as I am aware.

Let's be clear: reducing greenhouse gas is a good thing. The less polluting the better. But the answer is not to ban Al Gore's private jet or to outlaw Hummers or to convert to ethanol. The answer lies in finding a clean, renewable source of power to provide electricity. We do not have an energy problem; we have an electricity problem. Solve the electricity problem and you will save the world.

UPDATE: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has now said they are 90% sure there is a link between humans and CO2 emissions. Glenn Reynolds has the right level of angst. But see Iain Murray's comments to the effect of "what are humans doing in specific to cause this?" A necessary question to figure out what behavior to change.