A comparison between reality and the predictions of global warming scientists from 1988 reveals an epic fail.
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The uncertainty of science: A comparison between reality and the predictions of global warming scientists from 1988 reveals an epic fail.
Look especially at the charts at the link. While carbon dioxide emissions increased at a higher rate than predicted, the global temperature — predicted to increase from 2 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit — has instead remained completely flat.
Please consider donating to Behind the Black, by giving either a one-time contribution or a regular subscription, as outlined in the tip jar to the right or below. Your support will allow me to continue covering science and culture as I have for the past twenty years, independent and free from any outside influence.
The uncertainty of science: A comparison between reality and the predictions of global warming scientists from 1988 reveals an epic fail.
Look especially at the charts at the link. While carbon dioxide emissions increased at a higher rate than predicted, the global temperature — predicted to increase from 2 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit — has instead remained completely flat.
While air temperature may be uncorrelated with CO2 content, it is clear there is a correlation between coal power produced, pollution, and ultimately life expectancy of those who live with a high level of pollution. Those living in some parts (think Beijing) of china face a life expectancy 5 years below west when only air pollution is taken into account, and even less when water pollution is factored in. Chinese CO2 production has soared by 500 % in the past 30 years and no amount of EPA rules limiting US coal plants will have much affect on the total global CO2 emissions. According to wiki for CO2 emissions, 82% of CO2 is produced outside US borders, and raising energy prices by eliminating coal and nuclear will only drive more jobs to low cost producers such as china and thus speed up the rate of CO2 increase. If the liberals really want to do something useful, perhaps they could (think google, facebook, etc) donate advanced coal pollution scrubbers to help keep mercury out of the food chain.
That coal contributes to air pollution is a completely different issue than the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. CO2 is not air pollution and causes no health issues of any note.
It is important to make this distinction because trying to limit CO2 is not necessarily going to solve your air pollution problem. Better to focus on the aerosols, sulfur, soot (which is not CO2), etc., that actually contribute to air pollution.
Yes, the issue should be pollution in all of its forms, but CO2 being specifically identified as a “hot house gas” is purely a political tool that covers everyone doing anything, everywhere and because it is quantifiable it is theoretically taxable.