Using ice cores, scientists have also measured CO2 going back 649,000 years. Global temperature rises and falls with CO2 for the last 400,000 years — see http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/pastcc_fig1.html

In addition, we’ve tracked global temperature directly since 1880. It turns out that 2007 was the second-warmest year in the past century — see http://www.nasa.gov/topics/earth/features/earth_temp.html

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Your comment about how we’ll do well as long as temperatures don’t go off the scale — how high would be off the scale for you? The climate scientists of the IPCC (http://www.ipcc.ch) project that temperatures will rise 1.98 degrees Fahrenheit to 11.5 degrees F by 2099. If every day were 11.5 degrees warmer, would that be too much?

Thanks for your comments here.

We need to share an understanding, I suppose, of how to structure unbridled, seemingly endless global economic growth on a small, finite planet of the size and make-up of Earth.

Steve

The market is the best way to allocate resourses. We know very little about the variables involved in earth’s climate. To date, there have been no identifiable trends, up, down or sideways. We haven’t enough data toeven do that, much less determine what is normal, hot, cold or anamolous.

Worry about government run amok. That is much more likely and dangerous than climate change. Keep in mind that us humans are very adaptable and have survived ice ages and the medieval optimum. We will due well as long as temperatures don’t go off the the scale. Plants and animls also seem to get by.

http://www.pelicanweb.org/solisustv04n01.html

Please take a look when time permits. The article is on the left
column (white background). A summary is pasted below.

I would be grateful for any feedback (positive/negative/in-between).
Specifically, what do you think about the linguistic analysis of
Genesis chapters 1, 2, and 5 in connection with the original unity
of man and woman.

With best wishes for a good 2008,
Luis
—————————————————————–
SUMMARY

The theme of the month is “religious dimension of sustainable
development.” There is a religious dimension to the United Nations’
“Millennium Development Goals” (MDGs), and there is a religious
dimension to human nature and everything we do. Religion is both
indispensable and dangerous. It is indispensable to attain full human
development beyond the physical, biological, and intellectual levels. It
is dangerous when it degenerates into fanatical delusions about the
absolute superiority of any particular religion, and then leads to
religious intolerance and religious violence.

Many consider religion to be a controversial topic. But, after millennia
of misconceptions about religion, we now have scientific evidence
(initially via the Swiss Psychiatrist Carl Jung) that religion is
essential for human beings to become fully human. This being the case,
our 2007 analyses of the MDGs is incomplete as long as some insight of
the religious influences on the implementation of the MDGs is not
provided. A difficult subject, but it cannot be avoided.

In particular, religion is often an incentive (positive or negative) for
the transition from patriarchy to solidarity, sustainability, and human
development. Granted that financial gain (or loss) will probably remain
as the key incentive for people to change behavior during our lifetime,
futures research entails considering all conceivable possibilities. For
instance, Abraham Lincoln once stated: “When I do good, I feel good;
when I do bad, I feel bad. That’s my religion.” Lincoln’s “religion”
many not qualify as religion in some quarters, but it points to the fact
that, deep in the human psyche, there is the voice of conscience; the
voice of God who abides in us but is bigger than us.

After a brief summary of the MDGs (or “MDGs 1″ when religious
development is considered), evidence is presented that a cultural
transition is needed to support both social justice and environmental
justice at all levels. This cultural transition will entail changes in
human behavior that often cannot be accomplished even when there are
financial incentives. Indeed, it is hard to imagine any such transition
happening without incentives that are stronger than financial gain
and/or resources for domination. Since the power of religion as
incentive for changing human behavior (for good or bad) is pervasive, it
seems reasonable to research this angle next. This religious dimension
has not been absent from any of the previous issues of this newsletter,
but now it will become central.

Incentives from a religious perspective are discussed for overcoming
patriarchy and fostering social solidarity, environmental
sustainability, and human development. In considering this material, it
is essential to distinguish between “religion” and “religious
institutions.” Authentic religion is the expression of our relationship
with God, and it is “good, good, good.” Institutionalized religion can
be “good, bad, or some mix of good and bad.” Some specific religious
institutions are mentioned. The intent is never to deny the significant
amount of good done by those institutions. However, nothing human is
above criticism. Religious institutions often need reformations, just
like all other human institutions often need reformations. Some
religious persons may feel uncomfortable. As always, we shall adhere to
the principle of analysis based on objective evidence. Updates of the
SSNV-MDG knowledge taxonomy and links database continue as time permits.
The current version shows the links sorted by mega-disciplines, and
within each mega-discipline by MDGs. This is “work in progress” but you
are cordially invited to take a look at this resource and download it
(free) for your own use (two options: HTML Web Page or EXCEL Spreadsheet).

This month’s invited paper is “Two Wings of a Bird: The Equality of
Women and Men,” a reflection by the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Baha’is of the United States, published in 1997. The Baha’i religious
tradition emerged in Persia (now Iran) in the 18th century. It is the
first major religious movement that explicitly includes gender equality
as a core belief.