Think global warming is a bad thing?
Well, not according to Seth Borenstein of the Associated Press.
In an article published Saturday entitled “Blame Coal: Texas Leads Carbon Emissions” (h/t NBer dscott), the AP writer, whilst trying to point fingers at certain states for being bigger polluters than others, accidentally suggested that global warming might actually be a good thing.
Don’t believe me? Take a look at paragraph eight (emphasis added):
The disparity in carbon dioxide emissions is one of the reasons there is no strong national effort to reduce global warming gases, some experts say. National emissions dipped ever so slightly last year, but that was mostly because of mild weather, according to the Energy Department.
Hmmm. So, the mild weather in 2006 – in particular, a warmer than average winter – must have reduced demand for heating oil and coal, thereby dropping emissions of greenhouse gases.
That’s a good thing, right?
As such, doesn’t this suggest that warmer winters across the globe might actually be beneficial to the planet rather than a disaster as it would reduce the world’s usage of polluting fossil fuels?
This kind of goes hand-in-hand with what NASA Administrator Michael Griffin was saying during his NPR interview last week:
To assume that [global warming] is a problem is to assume that the state of Earth's climate today is the optimal climate, the best climate that we could have or ever have had and that we need to take steps to make sure that it doesn't change…I guess I would ask which human beings — where and when — are to be accorded the privilege of deciding that this particular climate that we have right here today, right now is the best climate for all other human beings.
This was similar to a point being made by economist Julian Moore of the International Policy Network on “Larry King Live” back in February:
When it comes to climate change, many, many economists have looked at this problem and the majority have said, well, and actually a small amount of warming is probably good for the world. It will increase agricultural production. You might, if you melt a bit of the arctic, open up the Northwest Passage. There are all sorts of benefits that would happen from a small amount of warming.
Taking this further, since a far greater number of people die from cold temperatures around the world rather than heat, wouldn’t a warmer planet save lives, too?
So, with a little bit of warming, we’d have less cold-related deaths, increased agricultural production, and less burning of greenhouse gas-producing fossil fuels over the winter.
Add it all up, and this actually sounds like something the left ought to be advocating rather than hysterically trying to prevent.
Hmmm.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Coal emissions are almost flat
June 4, 2007 - 14:13 ET by Gary HallWell Noel, you know how I like charts (a picture tells a thousand words). While electricity generated by coal in the US is on the rise in recent years, CO2 emissions from coal fired plants is staying almost level. In a recent report, The Carbon Boom, by the "Environment California Research & Policy Center - April, 2007", one can look at Fig G on page 19 of the report and rather clearly see that CO2 emissions (the blue line) from coal-fired power plants are not rising since about the year 1999.
Hey - the chart is from the enviromentalists. Who are we to question it?
Interestingly enough, while this greenie effort focused on how emissions from Coal-fired power plants have risen from 1990-2004, they make no note as to why almost all of the increase was during the Clinton administration, and not the Bush years. Wonder why that would be?
There was a noticable increas
June 4, 2007 - 14:32 ET by Hero SquadThere was a noticable increase in the release of hot air from the Clinton administration... I mean, during the Clinton Administration.
*****
"Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine no possessions?'" - Elvis Costello
Seth still work for the AP? I
June 4, 2007 - 14:44 ET by bassndudeSeth still work for the AP? If I were he, I would be working on my resume right now....
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
Yes, I would agree his statem
June 4, 2007 - 14:54 ET by Sick-n-TiredYes, I would agree his statement "National emissions dipped slightly last year, BUT that was mostly...blah blah blah" definately indicates and is a good thing. Better yet he was caught in the act of going against the AGW mantra and most likely will be sacrificed at the alter of the Goracle.
In addition to the above, notice that this single sentence total illustrates their love of doom and gloom. You have the setup: "Nation emissions dipped..." the big ol' BUT; and of course the doom and gloom "....was mostly because of...". Everything has to be painted as bad news to them----why? Maybe that is a redundant question....
First I would like to say, I
June 4, 2007 - 15:06 ET by dscottFirst I would like to say, I love the picture of the polar bear and the snow man. LOL What I find facinating is this implied concept that natural gas uses less carbon than coal to make electricity. Whether it be natural gas (CH4), Coal (C) or oil (C), the essential ingredient to create energy release is Carbon which directly relates to BTU. This is one of the fundamental rules of thumb in engineering in computing fuel energy equivalents. In order to release the same amount of BTU using coal, you have to burn an equivalent amount carbon in natural gas, i.e. you must use "more" natural gas by volume. The only difference between CH4, oil, coal or wood is the efficiency of the process. All the new coal plants use fluidized combustion where coal in ground into a powder to fuel the heating process. In fact, that's really the only down side of coal is the ash and thorium. There is an efficiency gain using CH4 being a gas not a solid, however, as we have seen in the market when one product of limited supply is of high demand, the price goes up thus negating the economics of using CH4 not just for industry but everyone, just like ... ethanol and corn.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
Wow they told the truth by accident
June 4, 2007 - 15:28 ET by DrColesSo they started an honest dialogue by mistake?
http://www.InteliOrg...
Hate it when that happens!
June 4, 2007 - 18:13 ET by dahliatraversHate it when that happens!
I guess the NASA head got the libs past Bush oil hatred
June 4, 2007 - 16:39 ET by SportPoliticsI guess the NASA head got the libs past Bush Oil Lord hatred.
I was watching more Mcglauphlin Group webvids today, and the screeching makes a fight every time Eleanor Clift skeetered " ~ Well I haven't been asked and I don't announce my religion at airports, so who is going to be the decider when it comes to what anyone's religion is. "
Ahh, yes, the libs have gone past just their BDS and Gorificiation, and have had thrust upon them the idea that someone OTHER THAN THEY may decide their fate....
LOL - Oh the rage... burbling up from within cannot likely be contained... another breach of the lib wall of ignorance has occurred....
Who is the DECIDER libs ?
LOL
Heidi and TWC according to the NYT's.
June 4, 2007 - 16:44 ET by bigtimerI see Heidi Cullen and the Weather Channel are having a little debate....
Cracks me up they are instructing their new weather reporters....
Wonders never cease.
bt,Instructing? Probably more
June 4, 2007 - 20:37 ET by Dave Rbt,
Instructing? Probably more like indoctrinating, I would guess. She is probably letting them know that crossing Herr Heidler will result in a swift trip to the stalag.
Or something worse. :-O
This republic will not survive the continued neglect of its people.-Neal Boortz
I bet the Libs are as perplex
June 4, 2007 - 17:10 ET by mattmI bet the Libs are as perplexed as those idiot followers of Forrest Gump were when Forrest decided to quit running. I can just hear them: "Now, what are we supposed to do?"
I am sick of this. There was
June 4, 2007 - 21:43 ET by alamojbI am sick of this. There was a similar article in one of the local papers today or yesterday- blaming Texas for being the largest Producer of Carbon Dioxide. Could it be because Texas environmentalist thus far have not been able to shut down all its oil refining and auto manufacturing industry? They are making inroads in the energy sector, though- in spite of our rapidly growing population. It also is one of the most populous states. Can they never mention that Texas is now the Leading Wind Generated Electricity State?
"...The Democrats love chaos. The Republicans love order and discipline and waiting your turn." Chris Matthews on "Gregory Live" as reported by Scott Whitlock 16MAY2007 blog "Matthews Rips..."<
global warming is generally
June 4, 2007 - 22:53 ET by ezyryder11global warming is generally not acknowledged by conservatives, and although i have many conservative views, i don't share this view. we need to pay more attention to this problem to gain respect with americans.
even if a slightly warmer earth may be slightly beneficial, it would many drawbacks, such as droughts, hurricanes, rising ocean levels, etc.
even if a warmer earth reduces coal burning necessary for heating, air conditioning usage will go up, and other sources of carbon-dioxide, like cars and electric power plants will not change.
what do you guys think?
Ezyryder, I think if you thin
June 4, 2007 - 23:25 ET by MikeBEzyryder, I think if you think you are contributing to global warming, you should park your car and ride a bicycle or walk where ever you go (no horses, they produce methane instead of carbon dioxide). You should never fly anywhere you go. You should have the utilities to your house turned off, and spend $30,000+ for the solar panels to generate electricty for your house. Be aware, though, that some very toxic chemicals are used in the manufacture of photovoltiac cells.
If mankind is responsible for warming on this planet, what is responsible for the warming on Venus, Mars, Saturn, Neptune, Jupiter, Pluto, Titan, and Triton? How many of those planets have undergone an Industrial Revolution? How many SUVs are being driven around on those solar bodies?
If mankind is responsible for the current warming, were they responsible for the warming during the Medieval Optimum? If so, were they also responsible for the subsequent Little Ice Age, the Maunder Minimum? How were humans responsible for the previous warmings and ice ages throughout the history of this planet before humans were here?
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
i am in no way the model
June 4, 2007 - 23:34 ET by ezyryder11i am in no way the model citizen in terms of global warming.
while there is warming on other planets, moons, etc, there is no indication that our warming isn't caused by carbon-dioxide. there is a correlation between the two on graphs, and that is the scientific consensus.
and i certainly don't say that people were responsible for other climate changes in history. but a lot of evidence points toward us being responsible this time. conservatives have it right with things like abortion and gun control, but i think we have it wrong here.
also, i would like to point out that humans also emit methane.
i am in no way the model
June 4, 2007 - 23:34 ET by ezyryder11i am in no way the model citizen in terms of global warming.
while there is warming on other planets, moons, etc, there is no indication that our warming isn't caused by carbon-dioxide. there is a correlation between the two on graphs, and that is the scientific consensus.
and i certainly don't say that people were responsible for other climate changes in history. but a lot of evidence points toward us being responsible this time. conservatives have it right with things like abortion and gun control, but i think we have it wrong here.
also, i would like to point out that humans also emit methane. (jk)
Exit Glacier has been recedin
June 5, 2007 - 05:18 ET by UnsaneExit Glacier has been receding since 1780. What human activity then caused the glacier to begin receding?
I could also ask the same about Columbia and Mendenhall Glaciers.
Tell you what: while you crucify yourself on a cross of First World Guilt along with your other friends on this board, I will go out and save up the cash to buy me another Ram next year. And no, I do not mean the male sheep.
One more thing: I have heard nothing but crying and guilt-ridden hand-wringing about global warming for the past 20 years. If it is indeed happening, why was I scraping ice off of my truck in San Antonio this past January? I mean, this should have made TX IMMUNE from cold weather like that in 20 years, right?
One final thing, and THEN I'll shut up: you say "scientific consensus". Since when did scientists decide things in parliamentary fashion? Did they vote on the validity of the Principia Mathematica? Or on Kepler's laws of planetary motion? You see, consensus is a creature of politics, NOT science, and exists in parliaments and governments, NOT laboratories and observatories.
TWELVE DOWN, FOUR TO GO...(until the SPURS' FOURTH RING!!!)
Scientific Consensus
June 5, 2007 - 05:23 ET by Cool Arrow'Consensus' is just a buzzword for 'lots of us think it's this way'
Don't need a smidge of evidence to form a 'consensus'
global warming is generally
June 5, 2007 - 05:31 ET by Jack BauerHuh? You must be new here.
The earth has had weather and a "climate" for oh, about 4 BILLION years.
What thinking "conservatives" tend to say is this..
And burned people at the stake for disagreeing with their "consensus." Sound familiar, as a metaphor?
even if a warmer earth reduce
June 5, 2007 - 08:13 ET by dscotteven if a warmer earth reduces coal burning necessary for heating, air conditioning usage will go up, and other sources of carbon-dioxide, like cars and electric power plants will not change.
You must have missed the irony, the country used LESS energy for the YEAR due to a WARMER winter, that INCLUDES air conditioning, cars and power plants. We use significantly more energy for heating than we use for cooling, transportation and electricity.
“The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.” – Marcus Aurelius
Ill wind blows good.
June 5, 2007 - 03:24 ET by Cool ArrowAny of y'all who have spent time in Texas this Spring would know it's been the most beautiful in forever.
Those GW dolts aren't buying up Canada and Alaska yet, so you can bet they don't believe the hype either. Lots of good scenery up there, and with a drop of a few degrees, the Great White North would be nothing short of Paradise, wouldn't it?
Here's the point. Libs don't believe this GW nonsense. Not really
Gore lied. Nobody fried
Um, here in Houston, it has b
June 5, 2007 - 05:19 ET by UnsaneUm, here in Houston, it has been quite rainy. Memorial Day, for one, was a total washout!
TWELVE DOWN, FOUR TO GO...(until the SPURS' FOURTH RING!!!)
Houston
June 5, 2007 - 05:25 ET by Cool ArrowHere in 'semi arid' San Angelo, it's more like San Antonio/Austin. Keep driving those SUV's
Spurs Rock