In my sales courses that I took during my career, the theme of "go with the facts" was stressed. As I matured it became apparent that the facts were often misleading and I found that when my stomach didn't feel right, I needed to do a gut-check and check the facts.
With global warming, we need to check the facts. Is CO2 really an issue? The "facts of the day" state that global warming is directly influence by CO2 concentrations. A simple "gut check" would lead a reasonable person to question those facts.
Consider that world CO2 concentrations in the winter are higher than in the summer. In February, on a clear night, when our furnaces are running full-out and when CO2 concentrations are at their highest, it can often drop to minus 30. A reasonable person might question "does CO2 really hold the heat?" The information presented by Art Betke in last Friday's Citizen appears to be relevant.
On a warmer day, you will notice in areas of the snow where you have tossed a little dust or sand, the snow will melt much more quickly. That is because the white clean snow reflects the sun's rays and the dirty snow attracts the sun's rays and converts them to heat.
Atmospheric moisture is the major contributing greenhouse gas. Particulate aids in the conversion of sunlight to heat. Particulate contained in emissions combine with water and moisture accelerates the conversion of the sun's rays to heat. Ships out on the ocean burning bunker C fuel are the greatest man influenced contributors to particulate and global warming. Particulate, even though not be visible to the eye, attracts heat to the ocean. As the water warms so does the atmosphere and as the atmosphere warms it is able to hold more moisture and the additional moisture is able to hold more heat. This is the cycle of global warming.
Diverting attention to CO2 has become a mega global business and a distraction to the real issue of moisture as a green house gas. It will be difficult to "right the ship".
Global warming is an issue. Give it a "gut check" and have another look at the facts.
Solutions:
Reduce consumption - save our resources
Keep industry and particulate away from the Arctic
Reduce ocean shipping and begin switching ocean carriers to LNG the lesser particulate fuel.
Favor industry in area of vegetation where CO2 and particulate can be absorbed. CO2 is necessary for photosynthesis. With CO2 photosynthesis converts sunlight to fibre, not heat. CO2 is a global cooling agent if managed properly.
Gerald Lundquist
Prince George
