Strange Weather

[GeorgeH]

I live in Arkansas USA. The high temperature last Friday (the 23rd) was 20 degrees F. When I left the house today, I had my winter coat on. It was hot outside with the coat on. The temperature was 71 degrees F. What a surprise.

 

[Isaac Sauvage]

Over the years I've noticed more and more wacky weather fluctuations in general.

Instead of regular seasons, it seems more like most days are warm regardless of season, punctuated by cold days, scorching days, and more intense windy days & thunder storms than there used to be.

Probably not surprising, because with the global climate increasing, there's simply more energy in the system. That's something which can manifest in all kinds of ways, even including intense cold snaps. For example, I understand that cold arctic air is regularly getting blown or moved towards other regions, such as Europe & N.America, while the arctic itself has been wildly warmer than it used to be only a couple decades ago. This is why arctic ice keeps diminishing with every year, which in turn heats up the system because of the loss of albedo, i.e. the ice's ability to reflect sunlight.

We need more and better carbon capture technology as of yesterday, which means we need more people at every level pushing for that, and more govts investing in it. There simply isn't a future if this stuff isn't solved soon.

 

[Isaac Sauvage]

So it's almost 60°F here today, and by Tuesday it's projected to be even warmer. Less than a week ago it was 10°F, a fifty-point swing in the space of almost nothing. Note: average December temps for this area are in the 30's.

This to me is a pretty good example of how much fluctuation there is nowadays, i.e. what was once fairly rare is now common.

This also includes cold fronts regularly shooting down as far south as Texas, whose series of right-wing governors have pretty much done diddly-squat to proactively address climate issues like these, and in fact have left Texas particularly vulnerable to both draught and cold snaps, for example by keeping their power grid not just independent from the rest of the nation's, but inadequately maintained.

Unfortunately, all of these issues are going to get sharply worse in succeeding years unless we figure out efficient carbon capture right-quick. Because sadly, even if civilisation magically converted to total green energy generation overnight, it still wouldn't solve the fundamental problem of how much CO2 (and methane) we've already put in to the atmosphere, the full effects of which we still aren't even close to feeling yet.

And then there're the tipping points, such as melting arctic ice causing the planet to heat up that much faster. Another example are methane-rich regions (such as permafrost areas in Russia and various underwater regions) which are now being thawed or otherwise induced to increasingly release their methane in to the atmosphere. The problem with that is that methane is ~80x more efficient than CO2 as a greenhouse gas.

Tipping points are part of the reason why the planet heats up faster and faster every year, constantly setting new records for average temperatures and severity of weather-based disasters.

If it sounds like I'm speaking in tongues here, you might want to take a look at the basic science about how this all works:

How Global Warming Works

Global warming has become a common term, but it’s not commonly understood. Learn about global warming and the greenhouse effect.

science.howstuffworks.com

Sorry if all that's a downer and all, but this IS The Soap Box after all.

 

[telmoabff]

We're luckier here in Recife, Brazil. Cloudy and 84oF.

 

[xenonph]

This also includes cold fronts regularly shooting down as far south as Texas, whose series of right-wing governors have pretty much done diddly-squat to proactively address climate issues like these, and in fact have left Texas particularly vulnerable to both draught and cold snaps, for example by keeping their power grid not just independent from the rest of the nation's, but inadequately maintained.

No need to blame just the "right-wing governors" for the arctic dip my friend.
I don't trust any politicians, Left or Right!!
We can't trust anyone in government to look out for the best interest of the people.

Look at California ran by the "left-wing" all through the state.
The smog there is so bad, they have warnings on local news channel when air is not safe to breath.
The air is a red cloud.
That was 30 years ago.
I am sure it is much worse now.

Sure electric cars would cut down on the emissions, but what will adding all those car chargers to the grid do?
California can barely keep the electricity on right now, as you have all heard of their rolling blackouts?
Oh and electricity is not cheap. Just look at your power bill these days. I am sure you have noticed the price hikes?
Also who can afford to buy a 50,000 dollar electric vehicle?
Also what do you think makes the electricity that is put on the grid? Coal and fossil fuels power most electrical generating stations.

So the "left-wing" has no problem with shutting down the oil industry here in America, but they are more than happy to beg our adversaries to produce more, even when these adversaries have no regard for climate, or clean way of doing it, where Americans would produce it cleaner in that regard, and it would give Americans jobs.
So just getting our fossil fuels from another country is ok with the "Climate Change" people?
As long as Americans aren't the ones producing it, then all is ok?
Nobody should be surprised about this, as ALL of the Democratic Candidates said they would shut down the oil industry during debates.
They ALL also said they would open our southern border during the debates. So no surprise there either.
They are doing exactly what they said they were going to do.
First thing Biden did was shut down that Keystone Pipeline, while at the same time he approved Russia's Nordstream Pipeline.
Amazing!
Then he reversed every border policy that was working, to open the border to all.
They all say we need immigration reform, but making new laws is an idiotic idea, as they don't even follow the laws we have on the books now.
What makes you think they would follow new laws?

Solar and wind power would be great, but it is not a feasible alternative at this time, unless you would like to see everyone in poverty, and suffering more from hunger?
Fossil fuels, and the industrial revolution helped to bring countries out of poverty, and brought with it a better life for all.

Instead of blaming one side of the political spectrum, we should be working together to solve this problem.
Or like you say the planet will heat up and kill all humans.
The only good news for the "climate change" people, is I am sure that after we are ALL dead from the planet heating up, the Earth will heal itself, as nobody will be emitting any emissions anymore.

Maybe we will colonize Mars before humanity ends?
Maybe this has already happened before when we lived on Venus, and had to colonize Earth to survive?

Confused?
Don't be.
Find out on the next episode of....

SOAP!

lol love that show!

 

[GeorgeH]

There is a little progress being made although I am not sure it will be developed fast enough. I saw on the news that nuclear fusion is now generating more power than it uses. It will still be some time before they could build a power plant from it though.

 

[StevOz]

Of course, no one sees the Elephant in the room... Sustained growth economics is a sure formula for extinction.

Replacing 2 ton, 100MPH gas powered cars with 3 ton 120MPH electric cars is not any sort of solution either. For personal transport, everyone must downsize and public transport needs to be electrified and made available to all, especially rail infrastructure.

 

[Isaac Sauvage]

No need to blame just the "right-wing governors" for the arctic dip my friend.
I don't trust any politicians, Left or Right!!
We can't trust anyone in government to look out for the best interest of the people.

Now, ho-o-o-old on thar, Baba Looey!

​

Please let's not get it tangled or distorted there, matey.

Okay, while I agree with you that YES... most politicians are likely corrupt to greater or lesser degree, particularly as they scoot themselves upward (just like most individual monkeys are), I feel like there's something critical one should always keep in mind when it comes to judging the two major USA parties as a whole.

It's this: it's HOW they actually spend their votes, at the end of the day.

NOTE: the following counts are based on 2014 recorded senate & congressional voting, with various updates. If anything, the huge divide you're seeing just below has gotten even -wider- in all the recent years.

Judge for yourself: (MASSIVE list alert with links, now embedded in quotes below!)

Money in Elections and Voting


Sets reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by electoral candidates to influence elections (Reverse Citizens United)

	For	Against
Rep	0	42
Dem	54	0

Campaign Finance Disclosure Requirements

	For	Against
Rep	0	39
Dem	59	0

DISCLOSE Act

	For	Against
Rep	0	53
Dem	45	0

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act

	For	Against
Rep	8	38
Dem	51	3

Repeal Taxpayer Financing of Presidential Election Campaigns

	For	Against
Rep	232	0
Dem	0	189

Backup Paper Ballots - Voting Record

	For	Against
Rep	20	170
Dem	228	0

Environment


Stop "the War on Coal" Act of 2012

	For	Against
Rep	214	13
Dem	19	162

Prohibit the Social Cost of Carbon in Agency Determinations

	For	Against
Rep	218	2
Dem	4	186

"War on Terror"


Oversight of CIA Interrogation and Detention Amendment

	For	Against
Rep	1	52
Dem	45	1

Patriot Act Reauthorization

	For	Against
Rep	196	31
Dem	54	122

Repeal Indefinite Military Detention

	For	Against
Rep	15	214
Dem	176	16

FISA Act Reauthorization of 2008

	For	Against
Rep	188	1
Dem	105	128

FISA Reauthorization of 2012

	For	Against
Rep	227	7
Dem	74	111

House Vote to Close the Guantanamo Prison

	For	Against
Rep	2	228
Dem	172	21

Senate Vote to Close the Guantanamo Prison

	For	Against
Rep	3	32
Dem	52	3

Iraq Withdrawal Amendment

	For	Against
Rep	2	45
Dem	47	2

Time Between Troop Deployments

	For	Against
Rep	6	43
Dem	50	1

Prohibits the Use of Funds for the Transfer or Release of Individuals Detained at Guantanamo

	For	Against
Rep	44	0
Dem	9	41

Habeas Corpus for Detainees of the United States

	For	Against
Rep	5	42
Dem	50	0

Habeas Review Amendment

	For	Against
Rep	3	50
Dem	45	1

Prohibits Detention of U.S. Citizens Without Trial

	For	Against
Rep	5	42
Dem	39	12

Authorizes Further Detention After Trial During Wartime

	For	Against
Rep	38	2
Dem	9	49

Prohibits Prosecution of Enemy Combatants in Civilian Courts

	For	Against
Rep	46	2
Dem	1	49

Oversight of CIA Interrogation and Detention

	For	Against
Rep	1	52
Dem	45	1

The Economy/Jobs



Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Bureau Act

	For	Against
Rep	4	39
Dem	55	2

American Jobs Act of 2011 - $50 billion for infrastructure projects

	For	Against
Rep	0	48
Dem	50	2

End the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection

	For	Against
Rep	39	1
Dem	1	54

Kill Credit Default Swap Regulations

	For	Against
Rep	38	2
Dem	18	36

Revokes tax credits for businesses that move jobs overseas

	For	Against
Rep	10	32
Dem	53	1

Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit

	For	Against
Rep	233	1
Dem	6	175

Disapproval of President's Authority to Raise the Debt Limit

	For	Against
Rep	42	1
Dem	2	51

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

	For	Against
Rep	3	173
Dem	247	4

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

	For	Against
Rep	4	36
Dem	57	0

Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension

	For	Against
Rep	1	44
Dem	54	1

Reduces Funding for Food Stamps

	For	Against
Rep	33	13
Dem	0	52

Minimum Wage Fairness Act

	For	Against
Rep	1	41
Dem	53	1

Paycheck Fairness Act

	For	Against
Rep	0	40
Dem	58	1

Equal Rights



Employment Non-Discrimination Act of 2013

	For	Against
Rep	1	41
Dem	54	0

Exempts Religiously Affiliated Employers from the Prohibition on Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

	For	Against
Rep	41	3
Dem	2	52

Same Sex Marriage Resolution 2006

	For	Against
Rep	6	47
Dem	42	2

Family Planning



Teen Pregnancy Education Amendment

	For	Against
Rep	4	50
Dem	44	1

Family Planning and Teen Pregnancy Prevention

	For	Against
Rep	3	51
Dem	44	1

Protect Women's Health From Corporate Interference Act The 'anti-Hobby Lobby' bill.

	For	Against
Rep	3	42
Dem	53	1

Misc


Prohibit the Use of Funds to Carry Out the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

	For	Against
Rep	45	0
Dem	0	52

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Funding Amendment

	For	Against
Rep	1	41
Dem	54	0

Limits Interest Rates for Certain Federal Student Loans

	For	Against
Rep	0	46
Dem	46	6

Student Loan Affordability Act

	For	Against
Rep	0	51
Dem	45	1

Prohibiting Federal Funding of National Public Radio

	For	Against
Rep	228	7
Dem	0	185

House Vote for Net Neutrality

	For	Against
Rep	2	234
Dem	177	6

Senate Vote for Net Neutrality

	For	Against
Rep	0	46
Dem	52	0

 

[xenonph]

Wow so it is all the Republicans faults.
Thanks for clarifying that for me.
Yes definately a divided nation.
No distortion there.

 

[Isaac Sauvage]

Wow so it is all the Republicans faults.
Thanks for clarifying that for me.
Yes definately a divided nation.
No distortion there.

So if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, loves crackers like a duck, behaves like a duck...

What...?
Are you mad that you got angry about a duck, and didn't actually vote for your own rights?

Because sure as shootin' nobody else but you can help you with THAT there, matey.

 

[Isaac Sauvage]

@xenonph,
Sorry for being kinda grouchy just above, matey.

IMO you certainly did raise valid concerns, and of course you're right about some things there.

We've worked together on a bunch of great PN projects, and accomplished some good shizzle dare I say it, so I'm sorry for not articulating a better answer above, whether I was right or wrong. Again, that was kinda shitty of me, and I apologise, mate.

 

[xenonph]

Don't sweat it my friend.
Just shows you have a passion for what you believe. No need to sugar coat it on my behalf.
I probably should have refrained from posting what I did, as it had very little to do with the subject of this topic. "Strange Weather"
So I also apologise brother.
Like I told you before...
I get along with everyone, regardless of race, creed, religion, sex, or political affiliation.

 

[StevOz]

Replacing 2 ton, 100MPH gas powered cars with 3 ton 120MPH electric cars is not any sort of solution either.

Seems I was wrong, these e cars weigh way more than 3 tons.

EVs are getting too heavy and too powerful, safety chief says

NTSB chief warns that heavier vehicles mean more severe injuries and deaths.

arstechnica.com

 

[xenonph]

The battery alone on that Hummer weighs in almost at 3,000 pounds!! The same weight as a Honda Civic car!
Crazy!

 

[GeorgeH]

If the cost of replacing batteries is the same as hybrids, you can expect to pay about a third of the price of the car. Some car manufacturers say the batteries last the life of the car but I know a guy that had to replace them at about 5 years.

 

[Isaac Sauvage]

I mean... some of the biggest points of an e-car are to cut down on burning fossil fuels and support a more efficient vehicle model. Regressing back to heavy SUV-type models seems pretty ridiculous in that light, but I guess it's all about what Americans are willing to pay for.

I'm also happy to hear that other makers are catching up to Tesla, and nobody will be forced to ride with that lunatic Musk if they don't want to. Teslas themselves seem surprisingly shoddily-made, from the feedback I've seen on Reddit.

 

[GeorgeH]

I mean... some of the biggest points of an e-car are to cut down on burning fossil fuels...

It is not actually going to happen for quite a few years. Most power plants currently use either coal or natural gas for fuel. I read an estimate that fusion plants would be built until 2040. I am not convinced that renewable energy resources will ever produce enough generating capacity to meet the needs.

 

[StevOz]

I am not convinced that renewable energy resources will ever produce enough generating capacity to meet the needs.

Thing is, mostly they are not 'needs', this mindset is the problem.