IntenseDebate - csoeder

11 years ago @ The Powers That Be - Noted Climatologist As... · 0 replies · +1 points

You're 'aware' that it was warmer then than now, but now aware of its name?

11 years ago @ The Powers That Be - Noted Climatologist As... · 0 replies · +1 points

Wait, are you trying to suggest that because the climate system is complex and dynamical, it is somehow acausal and/or ineffable?

11 years ago @ The Powers That Be - Noted Climatologist As... · 0 replies · +1 points

You are correct, the environment has been different in the past. I have already explained that "best thermostat setting" is a bad way to frame the issue. I don't understand why you keep bringing up the age of the earth. "the earth is old" doesn't imply "geophysics is an ineffable mystery"

11 years ago @ The Powers That Be - Noted Climatologist As... · 0 replies · +1 points

Reread my response.

11 years ago @ The Powers That Be - Noted Climatologist As... · 0 replies · +1 points

"CO2 is destroying our atmoshpere."
Don't forget the oceans! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LJFTDHLQyk

"the more CO2 there is, the better plants grow"
This is an oversimplification. CO2 fertilization exists, but it's one of many competing factors. Here's a more in-depth discussion: http://topologicoceans.wordpress.com/2012/04/28/g...

Also, a lot (most?) of photosynthesis takes place in the ocean, and is limited by iron availability, not CO2. Warmer oceans will reduce iron availability by increasing stratification of the water column.

11 years ago @ The Powers That Be - Noted Climatologist As... · 0 replies · +1 points

I'd respond, but that would just make me a part of the conspiracy.

11 years ago @ The Powers That Be - Noted Climatologist As... · 2 replies · +1 points

I think that's a false framing of the issue. The earth system is dynamic; there isn't one single best setting for the thermostat.

The issue with current climate change is the rate at which it occurs - it's geologically abrupt. That's a problem, because there are strict upper limits to the speed of adaptation to the change. I explore this issue in the context of ecosystems and infrastructure in more detail here: http://topologicoceans.wordpress.com/2012/07/24/g...

11 years ago @ The Powers That Be - Noted Climatologist As... · 2 replies · +1 points

I don't see how the age of the earth really effects things here. Are you suggesting that, because there may have been climatic events in the past, then current one might not be serious? Or that it might not be caused by people?

Here's an example of some of the Deep Time proxy data that exists; this comes from ocean sediment cores: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:65_Myr_Climate_...

I'm afraid I don't understand your second paragraph, could you elaborate? In particular, could you explain what you mean by 'proven'?

And keep in mind - there's a lot more to climatology than modelling ;)

11 years ago @ The Powers That Be - Noted Climatologist As... · 0 replies · +1 points

You seem upset. What's wrong?

11 years ago @ The Powers That Be - Noted Climatologist As... · 0 replies · +1 points

How can we be sure that HIV causes AIDS? after all....

"It's a big universe, and there are factors that nobody has even considered. "

For that matter, how can we be sure of anything? Let's wallow in epistemological nihilism some more; it's certainly politically and economically convenient...

IntenseDebate Comment System

Connect with csoeder

My blogs/sites

People I'm following

csoeder