[The Great Fumar]

Originally Posted by Hoosierb4

I appreciate some of the good humor in the previous responses, but can't resist injecting some more serious thoughts.

I participated in some of the UNEP working groups that wrote the reports that support the government officials who ultimately make the decisions (if any) regarding the protocols regarding global warming. My participation was sponsored by an industry association that has a stake in whatever decisions are reached. (Although you can't officially represent any group, you can be sponsored by groups.) Our industry is having to spend a lot of money to meet energy and ozone-related regulations. My impression was that the people involved in these studies (some from industry, some from universities, and some from government labs around the world) were doing their best to understand the science and were among the most knowledgeable people in the world on the subject. The representatives of activist groups who were present were pretty much balanced by the representatives of industry who were there.

I personally believe that human activities that result in the emission of global warming gases are making the atmosphere warmer than it otherwise would be. This belief is based on some knowledge of heat transfer mechanisms (two advanced degrees in this area) and from much evidence of melting ice in the northern hemisphere, along with the climate data that has been published.

I also believe that we need to be investing in alternative energy development and efficiency improvements, particularly in transportation. Unfortunately, this will require some spending. The government can do it directly, but this will eventually require some tax money. Private industry will do it when the incentive is high enough. But, this means higher prices for all forms of energy. Either way we have to pay...or be prepared for some significant weather extremes.

Its all coming back to me now !!! WOODSTOCK RIGHT ????