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‘It’s the sun, stupid’–Very bright, yes, but not getting brighter

(Part of the How to Talk to a Global Warming Skeptic guide)

Objection: The sun is the source of warmth on earth. Any increase in temperature is likely due to changes in solar radiation.

Answer: It's true that the earth is warmed, for all practical purposes, entirely by solar radiation, so if the temperature is going up or down, the sun is a reasonable place to seek the cause.

Ew

Here's the money quote:

Animal cloning is the latest step in a long history of reproductive tools for farmers and ranchers, and can effectively help livestock producers deliver what consumers want: high-quality, safe, abundant and nutritious foods in a conscientious and consistent manner.

And you know what, they're right. When the environment is viewed simply as a means to an end, cloning is no different than any other agricultural practice.

A blogger suggests a $1.00/gallon fuel tax — after the first 30 gallons

A political commentator named Rick Gray has proposed imposing a federal surtax of $1.00/gallon on gasoline and diesel, exempting each licensed adult driver from the surtax on the first 30 gallons purchased each month. His idea is to discourage "excessive" driving -- but I wonder about unintended consequences. Do you, fellow gristers, see merit in this idea?

The first third of Gray's column makes the case for cutting back oil consumption, which I reckon need not be repeated here. The rest is quoted below:

Many goodies herein

The holidays have left me way behind the news, and you know what that means: a linky post! On your mark, get set, analysis-free hand-waving:

The feds may list polar bears as endangered. That could trigger Endangered Species Act provisions that force the government to take steps to protect the remaining bears. Only way to do that? Stop global warming. This is one to keep a close eye on.

Joel Makower flags some potentially historic news: Wal-Mart has put out an RFP for solar systems to power its stores in five states. If a proposal is accepted (the store will announce on Feb. 28) and the store buys as much as it says it will, this will be by far the largest corporate procurement of solar power ever, and will transform the solar industry. And to those who will inevitably chime in with the bit about how Wal-Mart is still evil, I remind you: The choice is not between solar Wal-Mart and no Wal-Mart; the choice is between solar Wal-Mart and the status quo.

I missed this when it first went up, but over on Worldchanging there's a fantastic, fascinating first-person account from Serge de Gheldere of traveling to Nashville to learn how to give Al Gore's climate slide show.

Gale, Gale, Gale

Gale Norton, former Secretary of Interior, takes job with Shell Oil:

Cycling team is first carbon-neutral pro sports team in U.S.

Congratulations to the Kodak Gallery Pro Cycling Team presented by Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. for having a ridiculously corporatastic name becoming the first carbon-neutral U.S. professional sports team. The KGPCTpbSNBC will offset 100 percent of team-produced carbon emissions in 2007, including travel, support crew, and team members' home electricity use. Team marketing director Rob O'Dea has the sound bite:

This program allows our team to take a leadership position in raising the bar of personal responsibility, and in creating awareness of the new tools that exist for individuals and organizations to take tangible steps to improve the air we breathe. We're glad to have a chance to offset the pollution we create by supporting the development of clean, renewable wind power.

Thanks for that, Rob.

‘Historically, CO2 never caused temperature change’–Not so

(Part of the How to Talk to a Global Warming Skeptic guide)

Objection: In the geological record, it is clear that CO2 does not trigger climate changes. Why should it be any different now?

Answer: Given the fact that human industrialization is unique in the history of planet earth, do we really need historical precedent for CO2-triggered climate change before we accept what we observe today? Surely it is not far-fetched that unprecedented consequences would follow from unprecedented events.

But putting this crucial point aside, history does indeed provide some relevant insights and dire warnings.

Looks good

File under "why elections matter." After listening to this, I was struck by two things:

1. It feels great to know that even though I might not agree with everything the Democrats are going to do with respect to the environment, at least now there are people in charge with the public interest in mind.
2. With the Democrats' current momentum, if they can win the presidency in 2008 and increase their Congressional majorities, the next 3-5 years could be truly monumental for environmental progress. This could be an era like the early 1970s that defines a generation.

Arizona State and other universities plug sustainability

The Christian Science Monitor brings word that Arizona State University will launch a School of Sustainability in January -- the first of its kind in the U.S. ASU leads a pack of similarly green-minded schools, some of which have begun to spend in the millions wooing specialists, building green, and offering sustainable curricula.

Sign up for a Grist phone survey

Have you signed up to take part in Grist's phone survey? Inquiring ears want to know: What would you like to see from Grist in the new year? More of this, less of that? We did a rootin'-tootin' job on this, but that left something to be desired? Think we're great? Think we're mediocre? Just need someone to talk to? Get on the horn!