Here Comes The Sun

It seems that the dialog about global warming and climate change is very different than it was a year ago.

No longer is there a serious disagreement or debate on (1) the earth is getting progressively warmer, (2) there is a statistical correlation between green house gasses and the earth's temperature, (3) there is a causal relationship between burning fossil fuels and green house gasses, (4) therefore the earth's rising temperature is caused by the action of humans over the last 50 years, and (5) the trend will continue unbated at least in the short term, probably for 5-10 years.

Now the conversation is about medium term adaptations and longer term solutions.

It seems to me that some of the news (again medium to long term) is positive. Alternative energy solutions abound and as the direct cost of oil increases and the indirect costs of burning oil and coal become more objectionable then these other alternative sources will become economically viable. For example, I would not be surprised to see solar panels as a routine addition to residential housing or average car efficiency exceeding 50 mpg.

Someone once posited that in time George Harrison would be remembered as one of the major figures in bringing eastern religion and philosophy to the attention of the West and ,oh, by the way, he was also a musician.

Perhaps Al Gore will be chiefly remembered as one of the main figures who changed perceptions about climate change and ,oh, by the way, he was once close to being the president of the US.