Clyde Burnett, Peak to Peak. We find more agreement of real climate change, but also more discussions of how not to worry. We find more evidence that fossil fuel industries (not just the oil companies, but the coal industry too) knew the science but tried to convince us that money was more important.

Climate Science quiz:

Do you understand these significant numbers?

1.-18C

2. 15 C

3. 10 microns

4. 93% 

5. 70%

6. 539 calories/gram

7. 79 calories/gram

8. 2 C

9. 350 ppm (parts per million)

10. 450 ppm

11. 1.8

-18 C is the radiation temperature required for the Earth’s energy balance. So the effective radiation surface is at about 20,000 ft altitude.

15 C is our average global surface temperature. That huge atmosphere greenhouse effect is trapping an equivalent of 33 C heat. And we are making a thicker layer of greenhouse gases that is upsetting our energy balance. 

10 microns is the wavelength of the maximum earth radiation. And that is where CO2 and H2O have peak absorption. (Our visible light is at about 0,5 microns)

93% of the trapped heat is warming our oceans. Now we see pairs of winter storms with lots of snow. That’s due to more water vapor from warmed oceans.

On 70% of Earth’s surface.

That requires 539 calories/gram and it is released over us when it rains-or snows! (a calorie warms one gram of water 1 C.)

And that 79 calories/gm has been melting all our glaciers

The arbitrary warming point of unmanageable disaster is 2 C, some say 1.5 C, atmosphere warming. October temperature was at 1.24 C.

Hansen says the most stable historical CO2 concentration was 350 ppm. 

450 ppm is the estimated CO2 concentration for the 2 C. NASA vital signs say we are at 412 ppm.  

 1.8 has nothing to do with climate, just the factor to calculate temp change in C to F.

The Democrats’ debate again avoided questions mentioning climate change. Not because their audience is not interested. So why? Candidates are not able to discuss—but a few do! Candidates have not been able to outline solutions and costs. I suggest: All public schools will be made carbon neutral with triple pane glass and insulation. With removed pollution, so clean air, powered by wind and solar. School buses should be electric – with seat belts. Cost: whatever $$ it takes from fossil fuel subsidies.

U.S. has lost world leadership in mitigating climate change by leaving Paris Plan and reversing mitigation. 

China says their Paris Plan to level off at 2030 is ahead of 2020 schedule for reducing CO2. They are now at 46%; that’s less than 2005 goal of 60-65%. They claim to be at 14% from nonfossil fuel. They have the leading market for solar panels and wind turbines. China has also joined other nations in optimistic predictions about their nuclear fusion machine.

Thinking about retiring in Key West, Florida? Years ago, the Hemingway House had no AC, just good ventilation to discourage mold. We read The Old Man and the Sea while sitting in the shade in the garden. (But I suspect he wrote at the stand-up desk in his air-conditioned studio.) Now the New York Times says Key Largo, FL, has had 82 days of flood from King Tides. Key West had 234 consecutive days of temperatures greater than 80 F. That’s with increased humidity!  

Warning: In approaching days, 90s F and high humidity will kill you.

(Originally published in the December 5, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)