Posted by
BLOGASSAULT on Saturday, September 05, 2009 10:47:17 AM
Time Magazine released an article Friday discussing possible "tipping points" regarding climate. You have all heard and read this funny little phrase that warns all of us that we need to do something fast before we can't turn back. But look at the wording:
Instead, scientists worry about potential tipping points — triggers that, once reached, could lead to sudden and irrevocable changes in the climate, almost without warning.
They are "worrying" about something that "could lead to sudden changes." Does that mean we should worry as well? Or should we just go ahead and pass the cap and trade program just in case?
Here is how it looks to these worried scientist:
In an ecological system like a forest, for example, squealing might look like an alternation between two stable states — barren versus fertile — before a drought takes its final toll on the woodland and transforms it into a desert, at which point even monsoons won't bring the field back to life. Fish populations seem to collapse suddenly as well — overfishing causes fluctuations in fish stocks until it passes a threshold, at which point there are simply too few fish left to bring back the population, even if fishing completely ceases. And even in financial markets, sudden collapses tend to be preceded by heightened trading volatility — a good sign to pull your money out of the market. "
But these are poor examples. Before the Sahara Desert, it used to be a forest. We have controls on fishing, so when have we lost any? Financial markets have crashed, yet they have always recovered.
The real difference here is the fact that all the examples they list we understand and can control. As far as the global warming is concerned? We haven't yet begun to understand the complexity of the Earth's climate; and any honest climate scientists will agree.
No, I think this is about ressurecting the cap and trade bill. Although, this may be about the 60's hippie college grads that write for Time Magazine and other liberal media establishments that need to fill the empty places they have in themselves with good deeds of environmentalism.
"We need to respect mother Earth man, (deep bong hit) you know what I'm saying man? It's like she has a tipping point or something man. She just needs a little love from us. (exhale).