Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Quoting Grothar:


Does this look familiar?

That part of Norway must be one of the most beautiful places to be to see those lights.

Quoting carcar1967:


My question is, how did co2 get that high way back then? If it was that high before man and their suv's, then is man truly the ones at fault or is this the earth being the earth. The climate has been changing long before man was around and will be changing long after we are gone. Now I believe man should be looking for alternative forms of energy to take the place of oil, coal, natural gas etc. It is the right thing to do. What I dislike is using only a 120 years of "supposedly reliable" data to project a system that changes over thousands to hundreds of thousands of years.
If has been shown through out history, that is has been a lot hotter that it is now and a lot cooler than it is now. All without man involved.

Actually, reliable data goes back quite a bit farther than 120 years.

You can't beat the laws of physics. Planetary heating and cooling are driven by the energy balance of insolation and re-radiation. If the Earth re-radiates less energy than it receives, then the planet heats up. If the planet re-radiates more energy than it receives, it cools down.

Over the paleological record, the Earth has warmed and cooled depending on several factors. For example,the Earth's axial tilt and orbital variations appear to create just enough of a push to cause warm and cool periods. This appears to happen at regular intervals, and are referred to as Milankovich Cycles.

Typically when climate changes, it takes thousands of years. Slow buildups of positive or negative feedbacks eventually shift the climate until it finally stabilizes at it's new warmer or cooler configuration. These feedbacks are a result of the Earth itself and how it reacts to changes. For example, slightly warmer temperatures produce a positive feedback by releasing sequestered greenhouse gases (frozen methane, dissolved CO2 in water, etc.). These gases trap more heat which releases more of these gases and so on and so forth. There is A LOT of sequestered greenhouse gases within the oceans, permafrost, and other places of biosphere. All it takes is to give the climate a little nudge and all those sequestered gases wind up back in the atmosphere.

So now we get to the part of how we know we're causing the warming. Insolation has not increased, therefore we already know the warming we're seeing is caused by a planetary change. We know the physics behind the greenhouse effect (a tried and tested theory that's been around for 120 years or so). We know global CO2 levels have been rising rapidly. We know the warming we're seeing started happening within the last century or so. We know the CO2 level is rising direct relation to anthropogenic emissions. We know that CO2 is a green-house gas. We know (thanks to physics and chemistry) the thermal properties of CO2 and from that we can predict how much additional energy would be trapped and how much heating that translates into. We know that the warming we're seeing matches very well with the predicted warming as determined by the physics and chemistry.

So on one hand you have over a century of physics, chemistry, and other sciences that accurately explain and model the current observations. On the other hand, you can claim that this all just happens to be one big coincidence and there is something else adding a tremendous amount of energy to the planet that somehow (despite all of our satellites, sensors, and advanced technology) we simply failed to pick up.

The first option is the logical choice. The second one should scare the hell out of you. In either case, it would be most foolish to do nothing.

Quoting Grothar:
Some images of the Simpson Desert, Australia.

Very nice!

Quoting presslord:


sounds perfect...unfortunately my wife is on some sort of health jihad....if I even say the word 'doughnut'...she'll call the paramedics....

It is understandable. One should always watch their health. I have a simple rule, when my cholestoral hits 400 I cut back down to 1/2 dozen.

Quoting AussieStorm:

you will feel small when your out there and there is no one around for 100's of kilometres. Make sure you check out the red centre also. you'll need a warm coat as temps can get to as low as -10c over night.

Would really love to see that area.
But -10 ??
I am a delicate Tropical Tree, man.
Those kinds of temps would make my fruits fall off !

Quoting pottery:

Sneak into her phonebook.
Replace the Paramedics # with the Pizza delivery place....
That should do it!

Maybe you've done this before pottery?

Quoting nigel20:

Maybe you've done this before pottery?

I know NUSSING !

Quoting Xyrus2000:


Actually, reliable data goes back quite a bit farther than 120 years.

You can't beat the laws of physics. Planetary heating and cooling are driven by the energy balance of insolation and re-radiation. If the Earth re-radiates less energy than it receives, then the planet heats up. If the planet re-radiates more energy than it receives, it cools down.

Over the paleological record, the Earth has warmed and cooled depending on several factors. For example,the Earth's axial tilt and orbital variations appear to create just enough of a push to cause warm and cool periods. This appears to happen at regular intervals, and are referred to as Milankovich Cycles.

Typically when climate changes, it takes thousands of years. Slow buildups of positive or negative feedbacks eventually shift the climate until it finally stabilizes at it's new warmer or cooler configuration. These feedbacks are a result of the Earth itself and how it reacts to changes. For example, slightly warmer temperatures produce a positive feedback by releasing sequestered greenhouse gases (frozen methane, dissolved CO2 in water, etc.). These gases trap more heat which releases more of these gases and so on and so forth. There is A LOT of sequestered greenhouse gases within the oceans, permafrost, and other places of biosphere. All it takes is to give the climate a little nudge and all those sequestered gases wind up back in the atmosphere.

So now we get to the part of how we know we're causing the warming. Insolation has not increased, therefore we already know the warming we're seeing is caused by a planetary change. We know the physics behind the greenhouse effect (a tried and tested theory that's been around for 120 years or so). We know global CO2 levels have been rising rapidly. We know the warming we're seeing started happening within the last century or so. We know the CO2 level is rising direct relation to anthropogenic emissions. We know that CO2 is a green-house gas. We know (thanks to physics and chemistry) the thermal properties of CO2 and from that we can predict how much additional energy would be trapped and how much heating that translates into. We know that the warming we're seeing matches very well with the predicted warming as determined by the physics and chemistry.

So on one hand you have over a century of physics, chemistry, and other sciences that accurately explain and model the current observations. On the other hand, you can claim that this all just happens to be one big coincidence and there is something else adding a tremendous amount of energy to the planet that somehow (despite all of our satellites, sensors, and advanced technology) we simply failed to pick up.

The first option is the logical choice. The second one should scare the hell out of you. In either case, it would be most foolish to do nothing.

For this logical and intelligent comment:

Quoting carcar1967:


All I am saying is this, a 120 years is not enough to make an accurate prediction of the future of such a dynamic system. Should man do his best to stop polluting, the answer is a resounding YES. But the climate will keep on changing no matter what man does.

You really need to read up on the subject. Your argument is neither convincing nor makes any sense. By your reasoning, we shouldn't be using ANY physical models of anything since most modern technology is built upon less than 120 years of research. The field of computational fluid dynamics alone refutes your premise (very chaotic yet predictable).

Quoting DavidHOUTX:


That part of Norway must be one of the most beautiful places to be to see those lights.

It is not far from where I lived. I also spent a lot of time there. One can see the Northern lights almost every night through most of winter. Most of Scandinavia has that. We didn't pay much attention to them unless they were especially spectacular.

Monster storm in Mexico.

Quoting Xyrus2000:


Actually, reliable data goes back quite a bit farther than 120 years.

You can't beat the laws of physics. Planetary dheating and cooling are driven by the energy balance of insolation and re-radiation. If the Earth re-radiates less energy than it receives, then the planet heats up. If the planet re-radiates more energy than it receives, it cools down.

Over the paleological record, the Earth has warmed and cooled depending on several factors. For example,the Earth's axial tilt and orbital variations appear to create just enough of a push to cause warm and cool periods. This appears to happen at regular intervals, and are referred to as Milankovich Cycles.

Typically when climate changes, it takes thousands of years. Slow buildups of positive or negative feedbacks eventually shift the climate until it finally stabilizes at it's new warmer or cooler configuration. These feedbacks are a result of the Earth itself and how it reacts to changes. For example, slightly warmer temperatures produce a positive feedback by releasing sequestered greenhouse gases (frozen methane, dissolved CO2 in water, etc.). These gases trap more heat which releases more of these gases and so on and so forth. There is A LOT of sequestered greenhouse gases within the oceans, permafrost, and other places of biosphere. All it takes is to give the climate a little nudge and all those sequestered gases wind up back in the atmosphere.

So now we get to the part of how we know we're causing the warming. Insolation has not increased, therefore we already know the warming we're seeing is caused by a planetary change. We know the physics behind the greenhouse effect (a tried and tested theory that's been around for 120 years or so). We know global CO2 levels have been rising rapidly. We know the warming we're seeing started happening within the last century or so. We know the CO2 level is rising direct relation to anthropogenic emissions. We know dthat CO2 is a green-house gas. We know (thanks to physics and chemistry) the thermal properties of CO2 and from that we can predict how much additional energy would be trapped and how much heating that translates into. We know that the warming we're seeing matches very well with the predicted warming as determined by the physics and chemistry.

So on one hand you have over a century of physics, chemistry, and other sciences that accurately explain and model the current observations. On the other hand, you can claim that this all just happens to be one big coincidence and there is something else adding a tremendous amount of energy to the planet that somehow (despite all of dour satellites, sensors, and advanced technology) we simply failed to pick up.

The first option is the logical choice. The second one should scare the hell out of you. In either case, it would be most foolish to do nothing.

To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction

George Noory can be heard here nowLink

He's gonna be taking phone calls from the dead.......I swear to God...

Quoting presslord:
George Noory can be heard here nowLink

He's gonna be taking phone calls from the dead.......I swear to God...

Whatever turns you on........

Many people do not know that France has some of the largest sand dunes in Europe. I first saw them as a young boy and returned many years later. They are encroaching a great part of the coast. It is quite a site. They are the the Pilat Dunes, not far from Bordeaux.

Quoting pottery:

I know NUSSING !

Schultz, is that you? :)

Quoting WxGeekVA:



For this logical and intelligent comment:

Agreed!
It was a very good post.

Thanks for that, xyrus.

Quoting weatherh98:
Wait just had deep thought about it, Roughly 643000 years ago was the last time yellowstone erupted walla



no way did we put that much carbon out...

Actually we have and continue to do so. On a yearly basis we put out over 100 time more CO2 than all volcanic activity on Earth combined, and we've been doing so for quite a while now. This equates to about Mount Saint Helens eruption every 3 days.

Also, when Yellowstone blew it also pumped a lot of ash and SO2 into the atmosphere as well, which mitigated any warming from CO2, at least initially.

Quoting Grothar:
Many people do not know that France has some of the largest sand dunes in the world. I first saw them as a young boy and returned many years later. They are encroaching a great part of the coast. It is quite a site. They are the the Pilat Dunes, not far from Bordeaux.

How were these dunes created?

Quoting Grothar:
Many people do not know that France has some of the largest sand dunes in the world. I first saw them as a young boy and returned many years later. They are encroaching a great part of the coast. It is quite a site. They are the the Pilat Dunes, not far from Bordeaux.

I did not realise they were quite so massive!
Incredible to think that they are being removed from the sea, by the waves and wind.
Wonderful what Nature can do!

Quoting presslord:
Be advised: I haven't had a cigarette in 9 days.....I am lookin' for a fight...

Good 4 you, hang in there. Fight the good fight. Winning is everything.

Quoting presslord:
George Noory can be heard here nowLink

He's gonna be taking phone calls from the dead.......I swear to God...

I should call in. I can do a good Shakespeare and Humphrey Bogart.

Quoting Grothar:
Many people do not know that France has some of the largest sand dunes in Europe. I first saw them as a young boy and returned many years later. They are encroaching a great part of the coast. It is quite a site. They are the the Pilat Dunes, not far from Bordeaux.

fascinating.....now....Who's the chick in the top photo?!

Quoting presslord:


fascinating.....now....Who's the chick in the top photo?!

If those are her footprints, we don't wanna know...

Quoting nigel20:

How were these duness created?

I don't remember exactly, but I remember we were told it only started in the 1800's. There was a sand bar along the coast that began being pushed in by the wind and since that time it has gotten larger. There is also abundant sand in that bay which adds to it by the wind. It has now become enormous. It is is a beautiful part of France.

Quoting pottery:

If those are her footprints, we don't wanna know...

What...do you think that she could be an alien?

Quoting presslord:


fascinating.....now....Who's the chick in the top photo?!

Geez, I can't teach you guys any culture at all. :P

Quoting pottery:

Would really love to see that area.
But -10 ??
I am a delicate Tropical Tree, man.
Those kinds of temps would make my fruits fall off !

Well go in summer then, 40-45C almost everyday.

Quoting pottery:

If those are her footprints, we don't wanna know...

She's French, what do you expect.

Quoting Grothar:


Does this look familiar?

I may re-think my Retirement destination, seeing that view again.

Quoting weatherh98:


india facts
cia link
Link

When you make 3700 per year your not gonna spend it on a computer

I am really sad to say this, only 6.1% of people in India know about basic knowledge of computer.

And i dont think the tea farmers are in that:/

What does being able to operate a computer have to do with intelligence?

It also doesn't take computer skills to figure out that when your crops don't grow due to changes in climate that something odd is happening. People in rural areas mainly rely on agriculture for sustenance and survival. When your family farm of multiple generations is suddenly suffering year of year of reduced crop yields due to shorter rainy seasons or extreme droughts, it tends to set off an alarm or two that something isn't right.

Quoting Grothar:


I don't remember exactly, but I remember we were told it only started in the 1800's. There was a sand bar along the coast that began being pushed in by the wind and since that time it has gotten larger. There is also abundant sand in that bay which adds to it by the wind. It has now become enormous. It is is a beautiful part of France.

Thanks Grothar...i did a quick research and I found out that it is 500m wide, 3km long and up to 107m high..quite fascinating

Quoting AussieStorm:

Well go in summer then, 40-45C almost everyday.

Nah!
That's too hot, even for me!

Have not been to Oz, and I don't think I'm going to get there.
People from here have all said it is fantastic, and a lot of Trini's went there in the 50's and 60's to work in the OilFields.

Quoting pottery:

Nah!
That's too hot, even for me!

Have not been to Oz, and I don't think I'm going to get there.
People from here have all said it is fantastic, and a lot of Trini's went there in the 50's and 60's to work in the OilFields.

And we don't get that hot in the Caribbean

Quoting weatherh98:


Here's the thing, ice cores don't go back 4 billion years, how do we know that I'd didn't happen just 500 million years ago etc.

I have a wild notion. You could try actually reading up on the topic instead of arrogantly and ignorantly dismissing the science out of hand. Believe it or not, the IPCC report does a very good job explaining the science, measurements, models, etc. in layman's terms.

But the short answer to your question is, we know how much CO2 we're producing. We know how much the carbon sinks are absorbing. We know how much CO2 is increasing in the atmosphere.

With that information, it takes just a little bit of 4th grade math to arrive at the answer.

Tromso,which is the City in the image, is above the Arctic Circle and believe me, a more stunning Night Sky I doubt I will ever see.



I dint know Grothar then when we shared the same NATO sky, but it was a Cold, Beautiful Place, and one I'd like to visit as a civilian.




Yellowstone AD-44 with FF-1092 Norway 1984

Quoting pottery:

Nah!
That's too hot, even for me!

Have not been to Oz, and I don't think I'm going to get there.
People from here have all said it is fantastic, and a lot of Trini's went there in the 50's and 60's to work in the OilFields.

Even if it's 45c outside, the beer is always ice cold.

Autumn and Spring would be the best times to go then. Not to hot, not to cold.

Quoting AussieStorm:

Even if it's 45c outside, the beer is always ice cold.

Autumn and Spring would be the best times to go then. Not to hot, not to cold.

Have you ever been to the Simpson, Aussie?

Quoting AussieStorm:

Even if it's 45c outside, the beer is always ice cold.

Autumn and Spring would be the best times to go then. Not to hot, not to cold.

Tempting....

Quoting Patrap:
Tromso,which is the City in the image, is above the Arctic Circle and believe me, a more stunning Night Sky I doubt I will ever see.



I dint know Grothar then when we shared the same NATO sky, but it was a Cold, Beautiful Place, and one I'd like to visit as a civilian.

You haven't seen the night sky while in the outback.

Now... that was an amazing sight.(this is not me)

Quoting Grothar:


Have you ever been to the Simpson, Aussie?

Yes.( words do not suffice how it was)

I'll highlight the important stuff but what gets me is he mentions the Ike evacuation. Lol Yeah and that other little trouble in '05? :)

Hurricane awareness sessions in Port Arthur

PORT ARTHUR - We hear the message every year. Get ready for hurricane season.
Time is running is running out to get ready.
The season begins June 1 and runs through the end of November.

We've gone through three hurricane seasons without an evacuation.

You may be among the many trapped in the endless line of cars leaving the area just before Hurricane Ike hit in September 2008.

Hurricane season always prompts a lot of questions. Should I take my pet? What about packing medicines for the evacuation?

You'll get the chance to ask questions at a Port Arthur hurricane preparedness seminar Wednesday.
Sgt. Ken Carona with Port Arthur Police Department says, "I don't see any downside to being prepared. Knowledge is power and having that knowledge and being prepared, being ready to put that in place reduces the amount of stress that will come upon you and your family members if you're ready and calm and pull out the plan, and put it to action."

The hurricane awareness sessions are tomorrow from 10 to 11:30 a.m., and again from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
The sessions are at the Department Club building at 1924 Lakeshore Drive in Port Arthur.
If you want more information, call 409-983-8600.

These are some pictures of Spitsbergen, the largest island in the Svalbard Archipelago high in the Arctic ocean. Even though is is far North, it is moderated by an arm of the Gulfstream. Winters still can drop to -40 F. In mid-summer the sun does not set all. It is an island full of a wide range of wildlife and the most spectacular foliage. However, as the sun dips below the horizon the island becomes frozen in the silence of a long winter.

Quoting Grothar:
Many people do not know that France has some of the largest sand dunes in Europe. I first saw them as a young boy and returned many years later. They are encroaching a great part of the coast. It is quite a site. They are the the Pilat Dunes, not far from Bordeaux.

Impressive. :)

Quoting WxGeekVA:


Meanwhile, in Norway...



I love GIFs!

Ok,I was just a kid when that was taken.

Funnel clouds spotted in Jefferson County

JEFFERSON COUNTY - KFDM viewers spotted small funnel clouds during the lunch hour Tuesday in the Port Arthur area.

Quoting pottery:

Yeah, we enjoyed the HEAT today. And tonight is hot too.
Great clear skies this evening with a wonderful sunset. Strange for May to have cloud down in the west.
But we sat on the deck and watched the mountains in Venezuela with big cloud over them. All pink, yellow, crimson, purple.

Real nice evening.

But it looks like more rain is coming later in the week!

To be sincere maybe they are places where rain is not welcome but here in Honduras we would really appreciate some.its so hot right now in La Ceiba that I can`t feel my AC.

Quoting AussieStorm:


You haven't seen the night sky while in the outback.

Now... that was an amazing sight.

Wow! That's awesome

Don't forget, here in Australia we have 19 of the top 20 deadliest snakes and the top 15 of the most deadliest spiders and the top 2 most deadliest ocean creatures. Make ya not want to come here, right!!!