Where do you stand on climate change?

[lilphil1989]

Actually CO2 absorbs heat and begins to vibrate. The CO2 molecules will eventually emit the energy and stop vibrating. What you described sounds like CO2 is reflecting heat like a mirror reflects sun light, but the CO2 is actually absorbing heat and keeping it within the atmosphere. When the heat is released it is usually absorbed by another greenhouse gas.

If this picture of heat quanta being bounced around between greenhouse gas molecules were correct, the system would quickly become saturated, and the earth would settle down to a nice cool 3K.

What the molecules "absorb" are photons in the infrared region (where the earth's blackbody peak is). You are right that this excites molecular vibrational modes though. The photons are redradiated isotropically, some back to earth, some out to space.
So the analogy of a mirror that you used is actually a reasonable one, with the reflectivity a function of photon frequency.
Those radiated back to earth heat it in the same way as solar photons, by exciting atomic and molecular vibrational modes and contributing to their kinetic energies.

[Zhalentine]

Actually CO2 absorbs heat and begins to vibrate. The CO2 molecules will eventually emit the energy and stop vibrating. What you described sounds like CO2 is reflecting heat like a mirror reflects sun light, but the CO2 is actually absorbing heat and keeping it within the atmosphere. When the heat is released it is usually absorbed by another greenhouse gas.

If this picture of heat quanta being bounced around between greenhouse gas molecules were correct, the system would quickly become saturated, and the earth would settle down to a nice cool 3K.

I'm pretty sure if the sun wasn't supplying more heat then the Earth would eventually settle down to near 3K.

[lilphil1989]

I'm pretty sure if the sun wasn't supplying more heat then the Earth would eventually settle down to near 3K.

I didn't claim otherwise...

[Violet]

The science is not diminished and this 'Climategate' has merely brought down an inquiry into the data, which is good. Re-examining data is always excellent. Professor Watson rightly points out that the science is at heart of the matter, not the people, and we should focus on that.
[youtube]gpEGBgHxNTQ[/youtube]

Professor Watson's eyeroll expression was priceless

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It is probably good that it is happening. I was worried for a while, but I have now decided that we most likely need a good storm or two. Maybe evem a tidal wave or three and a few fires, plus the oceans needs to rise about 20 - 30 meters, that would also be good. Maybe decrease the popualtion by about 5 billion, that would do the trick. I supppose nature will have it's way in the end, and bring everything back into balance.

Therefore, I think we should look at Global Climate Change as a good thing!!!!! A bit of population control....

How interesting... and would you settle for yourself being one of those who fall under the classification of 'population control'?

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Hmmm, eugenics?, not really! It's not so much about selective breeding, but total population control, in an el natural way.

Who deserves to be 'controlled'?

Well nobody, except those who cannot control themselves...., which is most of the population unfortunately.

Can I get an exemption? I have done all I could to help the earth, I am not her enemy.

But if she squishes me, I will see you all i the after life. tee hee hee

Yeah sure, I can put in a request for you, but She is a bi*ch though!!!

Otherwise, see you on the flipside.............!!!!

Why would we need a population control so drastic as to kill off 5 billion of the human specie?

Please define 'cannot control themselves'?

[Pippy]

Where I stand on climate change is with the rest of you. On the surface of the planet.

[Ashes1995]

well ive got the idea that co2 and various other gasses, are trapping radiation from the sun so it cant escape like it used too, so its warming up the planet, melting the ice wich reflected the radiation away from earth, so the planet gets EVEN WARMER and so on, but then again the last ice age ended because of: global warming. but i believe we are causing it to happen more quickl so im moderatly convinced.

[Tiberius]

Whether or not the Ice Age has "ended" depends on who you speak to. Geographers say it has; Geologists say we're still in one.

[ib.me.ub]

How interesting... and would you settle for yourself being one of those who fall under the classification of 'population control'?

Well, the thing with natural popualtion control is most will have no choice in the matter, including myself. Who knows when they will die from a natural occurance? It could be today, tomorrow, or in 66 years! But, I might be one of the 5 billion, who knows

Why would we need a population control so drastic as to kill off 5 billion of the human species?

Err, becuase there are about 5.5 billion too many people on the Earth. So a basic example. The Earth is a certain size, hence can only supply a certain amount of resources. The human population continues to grow and dosen't look like slowing down. It is basic maths. There will not be enough resources to sustain us all.....

Please define 'cannot control themselves'?

Do what ever they please and have no control over their own instincts.

[Tiberius]

The Earth is not overpopulated. If it were, nature would kick in and the death rate would go up. Plus, science is now growing meat I hear. There is no need to reduce the population, and if anyone tells you different, they are a fascist.

[Violet]

Edit: @Adrian: you posted before I was done Grrr

Well, the thing with natural popualtion control is most will have no choice in the matter, including myself. Who knows when they will die from a natural occurance? It could be today, tomorrow, or in 66 years! But, I might be one of the 5 billion, who knows

And you would be 'okay?' or 'content?' with that?

Err, becuase there are about 5.5 billion too many people on the Earth. So a basic example. The Earth is a certain size, hence can only supply a certain amount of resources. The human population continues to grow and dosen't look like slowing down. It is basic maths. There will not be enough resources to sustain us all.....

I don't know where you got that number from...

And interestingly, our food stocks continue to grow (and don't look like slowing down). It is basic math... as there is more food: there can be a larger population. Thus there has been enough food to sustain our population to at least the point it is currently at. With our advancing agricultural technology, as well as the great deal of resources that are not tapped into providing sustenance for the human population of Sol IV... I don't see such a severe crash as 5.5 billion occurring solely out of a lack of available food stores happening. Perhaps if the entire world were to enter into an apocalyptic religion inspired nuclear war over this (which is so unlikely I'm not sure why I'm mentioning it, except as an example of how a lack of food might be a primary cause for the death of 5.5 billion humans out of a population of 7 billion)... then 5.5 billion humans might die.

But a lack of food will only pressure more funds into researching better ways to make food and more food generated by capitalism trying to capitalize upon a needed resource.

Do what ever they please and have no control over their own instincts.

Like anyonething whothat hasn't 'achieved?' Nirvana?