Energy Smart

Black holes collapse on themselves, with a such a density that they change the path of light with no light escaping them.  In coming days, the Global Warming disinformation organization, the Heartland Institute (”the leading propaganda mill sowing confusion about climate science“), will convene a Global Warming skeptic/delayer/denier coven with the 2008 International Conference on Climate Change.  RealClimate asked a great question:

What if you held a conference, and no (real) scientists came?

For anyone concerned about a polite (an overly polite) shredding of a front organization’s event, take the time to read it.  

Heartland was a centerpiece of tobacco industry efforts to deny linkages between smoking and cancer. many of the same “scientists’ and Heartland have been involved in seeking to confuse the public’s understand of Global Warming.  In face of the reality that skeptics and denialists can’t stand up to scientific scrutiny and are unable to get published in peer-reviewed literature (since the work can’t stand up to review), Heartland intends to create a ”peer reviewed” journal that will give a stamp of approval for these people who are so intent on rejecting reality. In short, Heartland is trying to coalesce enough bodies, enough energy, to create a dense pack to have a black hole to bend and distort the light when it comes to Global Warming issues and the public understanding/discussion of them.

And, sadly, without a doubt there are going to be “journalists” at this coven who will be confused, who will report on it in complimentary ways, who will (knowlingly or unknowlingly) contribute to the Black Hole’s effectiveness. 

To understand reasons why journalists should be wary, join the discussion after the fold …

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In the face of the potential for catastrophic climate change and global warming, “geo-engineering” is an arena getting a little attention and some press, such as W Broad, NYT Times 

Geoengineering is the deliberate modification of Earth’s environment on a large scale “to suit human needs and promote habitability”. 

One can argue that all efforts to control carbon emissions (to reverse past emissions) falls within GeoEngineering, but that is not the general context of consideration, which often focuses on efforts that would, somehow, have a direct impact on Earth’s temperatures (and not, necessarily, on carbon loads).

One step back question, which does not necessarily seem to occur in many conversation, is what principles should guide Geo-Engineering efforts and prioritization of their potential.

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This diary will be a relative short and sweet one.

For once, no links.

Apologies, no photographs.

Just a very simply outline of how the United States could, without Heruclean efforts, eliminate coal-fired electricity from the electrical system by 2030.

And, do so while improving the economy.

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To be clear, the Lieberman-Warner Coal Subsidy Act (mischaracterized as the American Climate Security Act) is inadequate and bad legislation.  It violates basic principles for Global Warming legislation. (For example, it does not meet scientific minimums for giving a 50% chance of avoiding catastrophic climate change.)  And, the Coal-Subsidy Act is a corporate giveaway of resources (such as the air my and your children breathe) of almost unheard of proportions.  Despite this, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America is not happy.

Since the Chamber of Commerce simply is unlikely to be happy with any Global Warming legislation, we should make them fight from the right (actually, from the wrong) against legislation that is worth passing, rather than being able to frame inadequate and poor legislation as damaging to the economy.

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General Motors’ Vice-Chairman Bob Lutz is a bit perturbed about how the blogosphere called him out for calling Global Warming a “total crock of s–t” in a meeting with reporters.  In a post entitled Talk about a Crock, Lutz takes on those who had the audacity to criticize him for his idiocy and calls on people to focus on what GM is actually doing, rather than what its executives are saying.

Yes, Bob, let’s take a look at what GM is doing … and saying.

1. Developing the PHEV Volt.  BRAVO.  +1
2. Continuing with McSUV-heavy product line, with heavy advertising of it.  -1 
3. Fighting (hard) against increases in the CAFE standard.  -1
4. Heavily engaged in distorting greenwashing ads.  -1

Hmmm, -3 in a generous balancing act as we could continue this list.  I’ve been an enthusiast for the Volt from the first words about it and can’t wait to see it coming off the factory lines in serious numbers.  But, this is one car. Stated to be targeted for 60,000 vehicles in 2011.  In 2006, GM produced 9.18 million cars so we are talking about less than 1% of annual production.  Again, even while a major enthusiast for the Volt, it is easy to exaggerate its role in the GM equation.

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Should anyone wonder why General Motors is in such trouble?

When a senior leader (Bob Lutz, Vice Chairman) states that Global Warming is a “total crock of S–t,” might GM shareholders wonder what his core intellectual capacity is?

1. Really, should a Corporate leader be spouting off on the record like that?
2. If he is so fundamentally ignorant about a scientific issue (and willing to spout off on it!), what does that say about his basic competence to judge any issue before him?

Seriously.  Doesn’t it make you wonder?

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Barbara Boxer has been a real leader on Global Warming issues in the US Senate. A leader who suffered for far too long under the ‘tutelage’ of Senator James Inhofe (R-Exxon).  Sadly, for whichever set of reasons, Senator Boxer has being working hard to corral votes in support of the fatally flawed Lieberman-Warner Coal Subsidy Act and reacting strongly against those who have the audacity to question the bill and her approach to it.   The bill, however, is getting growing notice and the questioning of Senator Boxer’s approach to it is spreading.  

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Energy and Global Warming are complex, multifaceted, deep subjects. They are beyond the ability of any single person to totally master. And, a great challenge to those focused on them is seeking how to communicate, in a meaningful way, to those who don’t have the ability to dedicate huge chunks of time to learning about the issues.

When it comes to Global Warming, ever more of the Globe is aware. As some say, Katrina opened the door, Al Gore strode purposefully throught it, and now people realize that we need to do “something”.  But, defining that something becomes the next and, perhaps, even harder challenge.

Part of that “something” must include Global Warming/Climate Change legislation.  But not just any old legislation should do, we must have meaningful legislation that meets core principles.

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The Politico has a front-page article today entitled Friends of the Earth Kicks Up Dirt.  This article covers FoE ad buy (Fix-or-Ditch the Lieberman-Warner Global Warming Bill) in the blogosphere about the Lieberman-Warner Coal-Subsidy Act and the ads’ impact.  The impact seems strong.

Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas Zuniga says he wouldn’t have known about the bill had it not been for Friends of the Earth’s ads.

Evidently advertising can matter more than content, since the issue had been repeatedly on the Daily Kos “recommended” diary list in the months prior to the ad buy (such as here and here).

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The call for a Science Debate, as part of the Presidential election cycle, is moving from random electrons to substance with each passing day. 

A date has been set:  18 April, four days before the Pennsylvania primary.

A venue has been set:  the Franklin Institute, outside Philadelphia.

And, while invitations have been sent, the attendees have not been set.

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