oaknet wrote:
] Never mind. Your SUV has aircon, right? No problem... Except that scientists don't expect carbon dioxide levels to double for a least 50 years*. And, the side-effect of sea-level rise is a much clearer danger**. AND, planning for globlal warming is an altogether ridiculous concept; think of it like teaching a toddler to drive before he can walk. The middle steps are infinitely more crucial and global warming is no different; dealing with the pollution that causes global warming is a much more efficient method of control than dealing with the side effects. We can make a difference, that is, if we get rid of our current industry-shackled Administration and start making an example of ourselves for the world. Not only does the Shrub make a mockery of our current standards, he is poisoning the concept of pollution control for all the developing countries that look to us for policy guidance. Oh, and a couple words on China's pollution woes; we have just as much right to worry about as Chinese residents. None of the cars sold there would ever pass admission standards in the UK or US, their dependence on coal is not likely to fall from 75% without a serious leap in renewable technology, 7 of the world's 10 most polluted cities are located there, and they will probably surpass us (the world's largest polluter) in CO2 emissions in the coming years. However, all is not lost, because they are cutting CO2 emissions faster than the US*** and the current der fuhrer is pushing both hydroelectric and nuclear power through the government machine (but those discussions are for another day). Fyi: CO2, along with water vapor, is a major contributer to the greenhouse effect and thus global warming. Think about that next time someone tells you the only by-product of consuming hydrogen for fuel is water. -janelane Notes: *When CO2 may double:
http://www.libertarianthought.com/texts/warming.html
**Effect of doubling CO2: http://www.cgfi.org/materials/articles/2003/aug_22_03.htm
***China cuts CO2: http://www-tec.open.ac.uk/eeru/natta/renewonline/rol35/12.html | 
