CBC's Commentary - 20 June 2002 - rebuttal

Date: Thu, 20 Jun 2002 11:53:04 -0300 (ADT)
From: Larry Hughes <lhughes2@is.dal.ca>
To: Sustainable Maritimes <sust-mar@chebucto.ns.ca>
Precedence: bulk
Return-Path: <sust-mar-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>

next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects


20 June 2002
 
The Producer
Information Morning
CBC Halifax
 
Dear Sir/Madam:
 
Today's Commentary by University of Alabama atmospheric specialist John
Christy on atmospheric carbon dioxide and why Canada should not sign the
Kyoto protocol (http://cbc.ca/insite/COMMENTARY/2002/6/20.html) is based
on outdated information and is designed to mislead listeners.
 
Mr. Christy lists three 'things' that everyone should know about carbon
dioxide and climate change:
 
First, carbon dioxide is the "lifeblood of the planet" and planets need
it; from this, Mr. Christy concludes that more carbon dioxide is a good
thing.  Although it is true that some plant species do benefit from
additional carbon dioxide, recent research has shown that carbon dioxide
alone is not sufficient to help plants -- moisture is also required.  If
global climate models prove correct and droughts occur in major crop
growing areas, additional carbon dioxide from anthropogenic sources will
be of little value.
 
Second, Mr. Christy criticizes global climate models that suggest a
warming of the lower atmosphere, referring to his satellite research with
Roy Spencer, claiming that "temperatures in the lower atmosphere hasn't
changed much at all".  What Mr. Christy doesn't tell us is that research
conducted in mid-1998 has shown that the orbital decay of satellites
(about one kilometer per year) influenced their readings.  When the
orbital decay is taken into account, the atmospheric temperature readings
from satellites show a warming trend (as opposed to cooling).
 
Third, Mr. Christy suggests that Kyoto isn't worth signing because its
effects on global temperature will be so small that it can't even be
measured.  Although there is some truth to this claim, Mr. Christy
overlooks the fact that Kyoto is simply the first of a number of protocols
that will be required to stabilize the climate.
 
Mr. Christy goes on to say, "Canada is a tremendous asset to the world,
all because of its affordable energy".  He should have been a bit more
specific and identified the United States as the part of the world that
benefits from our (fossil fuel-based) affordable energy.
 
lh.
 
Larry Hughes, PhD
Professor
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Dalhousie University
Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 2X4, Canada

v: 902.494.3950
f: 902.422.7535
e: larry.hughes@dal.ca
u: http://www.dal.ca/~lhughes2



-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
SUST-MAR TIP: copyright material cannot be posted to the list

CBC enviro news-briefs follow:
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-



TARPONDS CLEANUP COMES WITH WAIVER
Some homeowners in Sydney say they're being asked to sign away their
rights.  The province is offering to clean up yards and basements on
nearly 100 properties near the heavily contaminated coke ovens site.  But
property owners will have to release the tarponds agency from any
liability, before the work can begin. 
FULL STORY
http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_waiver020620

GRIMES CLARIFIES POSITION ON NATURAL GAS
Newfoundland Premier Roger Grimes isn't at loggerheads with John Hamm after
all. Wednesday reports said Grimes supported New Brunswick's call for a
Canada-first policy on natural gas exports.
FULL STORY
http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_grimes020620

MUNICIPALITIES GETTING MONEY FOR WASTE REDUCTION
Environmental and waste reduction programs in the province are about to
get more money.  The Resource Recovery Fund Board of
Nova Scotia announced Thursday it will distribute $7 million this year to 55
municipalities.
FULL STORY
http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_recovery020620

KENTVILLE FUMING OVER ANTI-SMOKING LAW
The mayor of Kentville is accusing the province of undermining the town's
tough anti-smoking by-law. He says the week provincial law is part of the
reason his council backed down on a full smoking ban.
FULL STORY
http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_kentpuff020619

NEW N.S. ENERGY MINISTER READY FOR BATTLE
Nova Scotia's new energy minister is ready to fight New Brunswick's
proposal to keep offshore natural gas in Canada, before it's exported to the
United States. Gordon Balser was sworn in Monday.
FULL STORY
http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_balser

MORE CHARGES POSSIBLE AS POLICE REVIEW G-7 TAPES
Halifax Regional Police say more charges are possible after the weekend's
G-7 protests.  Sergeant Don Spicer says investigators are reviewing video
tapes they took during the clashes.  But protesters continue to say police
used too much force. 
FULL STORY
http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_morecharges020618

BARCODE COULD REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR 'DOUBLE DOUBLE'
A man from Truro says he's invented a way to speed up the trip
through the drive-through coffee window.  Charles Annand has developed bar
codes for refillable coffee mugs.
FULL STORY
http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_barcode020618

WATER WORRIES IN NORTH PRESTON FIRE AFTERMATH
Fire investigators say they're worried water supplies in North
Preston may have been contaminated after last week's fire at a recycling
centre.
FULL STORY
http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_preston020619

TOP FIRE OFFICIAL SAYS REPORT SLIGHTLY BIASED
The head of the Halifax Regional Fire Service says he doesn't think a
consultant's report is completely fair. But Chief Mike Eddy says he'll
comply with its main recommendations.
FULL STORY
http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_eddy020619

HAMM 'PUNISHES' REBEL BACKBENCHER BARNET
Premier John Hamm is punishing backbencher Barry Barnet, who fought to
toughen the government's anti-smoking bill.  Barnet has lost his seat on
three legislature committees, and will not be allowed to represent the
Tory government at official functions. 
FULL STORY
http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_barnet020619

STORA CLOSURE COULD DEVASTATE REGION
There's deep concern in Inverness County over the possible closure of
Stora Enso's older paper mill in Port Hawkesbury.  The people who supply
wood to Stora stand to lose much or all of their business if Stora no
longer needs to supply the mill, known as PM-1. 
FULL STORY
http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_stora020619

DEEP PANUKE PROJECT DELAYED
There are delays in one of the next big proposals for the offshore.
  The company planning the $1.8 billion 'Deep Panuke Project'
says development is delayed, waiting for environmental approval.
FULL STORY
http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_panuke020619

© Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects