From: Barbara Lamar (barbaralamar@sanmarcos.net)
Date: Sun Apr 14 2002 - 12:12:53 MDT
Spike wrote:
> > Do you really think we have a low-temperature problem and that we
> > need to raise it?
>
> If possible, yes, about 5 degrees C. This attitude should be no
> surprise coming
> from a lifeform which evolved in Africa.
[...]
> > Do you really think that air quality has too much oxygen in it, and
> > we need to push the balance toward CO2?
>
> We need not fool with the oxygen content. Keep that at its current 150
torr
> partial pressure. Adding a bit more CO2 would not be noticed even by
> our athletes and would help the plants, as well as perhaps raising the
> thermostat a bit.
Based on what I know so far, I agree with you, Spike. I also agree with
Harvey that the transition period will be difficult. I see the rise in sea
level as one of the less difficult problems, although expensive. There are
also agricultural problems such as increased damage by insects and fungus
caused by rising temperatures. Expensive and difficult to deal with, but
manageable. Drought is a tougher problem. Some of the weather models
indicate there'd be less drought with rising temps. Others show more
drought. Bottom line: no one really has a clue. Best individual strategy far
as I can see is to stay flexible and keep more than one iron in the fire.
For anyone interested in weather patterns, there's a comprehensive list of
links here:
http://www.uregina.ca/biology/faculty/leavitt/drought/drought1.htm
(Sustainable Agriculture in Western Canada:
Planning for Droughts Using the Past) sponsored by Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council of Canada.
The links are to research institutes worldwide, not just in Canada
Barbara Lamar
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