Up until last year climate change sceptics were vilified as 'non-believers', 'flat earthers' and much worse.
Doesn't the drivel that has been produced in the past decade look quite pathetic now? If last winter wasn't enough to encourage people to take another look at the propaganda, this year again promises to provide white landscapes. South of the border hasn't escaped either.
The photo is the first with my new camera and was taken before I went to bed. Not the best time of the day/night to be trying it for the first time.
Posts
43 comments:
The earliest sustained snowfall for 17 years, apparently. We could be in for one of the coldest winters since global warming began. ;)
Ah no, this just proves it. Global warming will kill off the Gulf stream, so Scotland gets the appropriate weather for its northitude.
Don't want it colder than last year Dick. Winter was too long. Here I was looking forward to BBQs in winter too.
I think they've had it worse much further south berenike. Didn't some expert called Jones already kill off the Gulf Stream a few years ago? Not that anyone in the west noticed of course. ;)
Meanwhile, our government springs into action...
...by taking part in another conference to combat global warming.
I do believe there is a maximum IQ for selection as a major-party candidate, you know, and I think it's about 50.
Wait a minute, is your justification that global warming is a nonsense based on the fact that it's getting cauld?
Seriously???
Oh my.
Grogipher, your comment proves the justification for doubting AGW. my lifetime in aviation taught me that nature is far more powerful than puny man. However I also love scientific research and balance. Much gleaned from here.
http://www.icecap.us/
Meanwhile Alex Salmond trumpets Aquamarine Power who are about to throw away £11m on a pointless wave energy study scheme. Any takers on the toal cost of yet another white elephant ?
The energy companies have no choice I suppose. Either join in with the global warming scam or just pay for it from the sidelines.
The renewable energy certificate (ROC)scheme whereby you get cerificates for the amount of renewable energy that you produce punishes companies who fail to produce up to 5% green energy ( rising to 15 % and beyond...)
So if they don't join in with the scam then they're fined and if they do join in it costs them billions in wave projects and windmill projects. The only way to get their money back is to put up electricity prices.
Meanwhile thousands will freeze to death again this year. Afraid to turn their heating on because of the crippling costs.
"climate change sceptics"
Ah - but don't you see? They renamed it from "Global Warning" to "Climate change" for a reason.
The reason, presumably being, that people noticed it wasn't getting warmer.
That, and the Global Cooling promised us in the 70's didn't happen either.
"Climate Change" provides a nice catch-all phrase that means what they want it to mean without having to change the phrase. They merely have to change the definition every 30/40 years.
That, and the fact that the climate is changing - it cannot be denied:
6 months from now it will be warmer in the northern hemisphere. 6 months after that it'll be colder....
@RMcGeddon - I know from my dad's scepticism about climate change that there's little point trying to convert sceptics into believers. However, the finite nature of fossil fuels should not be confused with the affect they may or may not have on the environment. We've not reached peak oil yet, but there IS only so much oil in the ground, and there's no point waiting until there's none left before we start trying to harness the wind, the tide, sunlight etc. Scotland has the potential to be a big player in the field of renewable energy, so where would be the sense in passing up the opportunity?
@Doug Daniel
But why would you want to partake of the opportunity? The renewable energy offered today is not free. It is hiddeously expensive, unsightly and above all unreliable. Why would you want to destroy your economy, your landscape and your prosperity through the hugely increased cost of using it?
Why do you think places like India and China are building wind and solar parts to sell to us but traditional power statons for themselves?
How can you think there is any advantage in being a 'big player' in such an economic nonsense?
It's not an 'opportunity' it's a political trap to tax and control your future.
If you want to make money or be a leader go find a way to harvest renewable energy that is not inefficient, unreliable and expensive - then the world will beat a path to your door.
@Doug Daniel: "Scotland has the potential to be a big player in the field of renewable energy, so where would be the sense in passing up the opportunity? "
Scotland has already tried and failed with renewables.
50 Leg Iron? That may well be for IQ but their they've nae common sense whatsoever. Surely they know the scam has been rumbled. Auch maybe no'. Holyrood's too well insulated from the cauld.
Aye, seriously Grogipher. I'm awaiting the knock on the door... :)
Well said OR and many thanks for that link. It's a good one.
That's the best simple explanation I've read for a while RM. Thanks very much for it.
Oh I've never denied the climate isn't constantly changing PJH, that's the natural course of nature.
You see it as a seesaw? Well not a bad analogy.
Is it not the case that some methods of creating renewable energy are unreliable and costly just now but will become better and cheaper with greater use? This is generally how all technology develops. Presumably extracting oil was once unreliable and costly.
Doug makes a good point, in my view. Whilst sceptical about climate change, I don't think we should confuse two issues. We won't be able to continue digging things up and setting fire to them forever. The fact China and India are doing it is hardly persuasive - they're just making the errors we've made years ago. We have to find new ways of doing things.
Doug Daniel..
I know exactly where you're coming from. I shared your views totally until I studied the subject more deeply. And spoke with engineers with 40 years experience in power generation.
I agree that fossil fuels are a finite resource. Apart from coal that is once again being mined in large quantities and has hundreds of years of potential. The way we have wasted our gas by selling it off cheaply abroad is a scandal.
My argument is that our answer to the problem is totally wrong.
Wind power has failed in Denmark where they can no longer afford the cost of subsidies and it has failed to produce anything useful. Despite building 6,000 windmills.
The investment in wave energy is wasted. £11 million is a drop in the ocean ( excuse the pun). The cost of delivering the power to the mainland and then onto the grid is outwith our ability to pay for it. England have binned their projects on cost grounds.
The answer is more coal powered power stations, nuclear power and hydro power. Any money spent on wind or tidal power is money wasted which should have been invested in nuclear, coal and hydro construction. Or given as winter payments to pensioners.
Although I might not be able to persuade you that AGW is a con and a hoax I'd ask you to read 'The Hockey Stick Illusion' by Montford. Keep an open mind and see how 'the scientists' twisted their statistics and failed to disclose their data ..
http://www.bishop-hill.net/
Look at the billions being ripped off through 'cap and trade'
Ask yourself why Al Gore lives in a mansion with a gas powered swimming pool and flies private jet.
All this time and money being wasted over wind and wave energy is time and money that should have been invested in getting replacement power stations built. Our capacity to produce energy is being diminished as our older power stations are being steadily de commissioned.
Wait a minute. Capitalism is the god we've been sold that will supply all our needs and comforts.
Because of this mantra all our energy resources have been privatised - why should we be worried about the costs associated with renewable generation. My interpretation of capitalism was that those who invested and profited from that investment had to find the ways and means to stay competitive. Otherwise they go out of business.
Deary me, don't tell me that was just another sales scam and the true capitalist mantra is to privatise only the profits while the costs have to be met by the consumers.
The average rise in world temperatures is referred to as 'global' warming, but it confuses some people (naming no names) who expect Troon to become the new Riviera.
Even if you don't think climate patterns are changing, there must be a lot to agree with about conserving valuable energy, securing new sources for our own use, making less waste, cleaning up the air, and eating fruit & veg. No..?
Sorry about a bit of self publicity but check out the Guardian this afternoon
I am off for a lie down !!!!
http://thelastofthefew-view.blogspot.com/2010/11/absolute-tossers.html
Your confusing 'climate' and the 'weather' SB, what we have now is the weather influenced by these guys.
Atlantic Jet Stream
Wrap up well as going to get colder.
"toal cost of yet another white elephant ?"
a toal on White Elephants eh RMcG? Best idea I've read in a while. Just think how much cash we could have got back had we been able to charge for daft money wasting ideas like Domes, Aircraft carriers with no planes, daft army radio sets that don't work, bridges to no-where, planes that the US don't like, Tunnels, EU parliaments etc. Can I please ask you to stand and represent us now -I like the idea!
RMcG @ 13:43
"The way we have wasted our gas by selling it off cheaply abroad is a scandal."
1. We've wasted Natural Gas not by selling it 'abroad', but by burning a premium fuel in wasteful electricity-generating power stations.
Good old British Gas, acting as a benevolent monopoly prevented such waste. But thought-they-knew-better Ofgas decided any organisation could waste the resource provided they pay for it.
2. Your 'abroad', is that from a Scots or British perspective?
Britain has not & generally does not 'sell' gas to other countries ['cos we ain't got enough for our own use]. I say generally because the continental interconnector is a useful means of helping ensure security of supply (i.e. if one source temporarily fails, it can be made-up from elsewhere). Considering a great tranche of the gas we consume comes from Russia & passes through Ukraine & those two have a regular & mutually beneficial 'disagreement' that restricts or interrupts supplies westwards resulting in price spikes.
Before Russia, most of our 'foreign' gas was sourced from Norway courtesy of the Frigg field, & landed at St. Fergus near Peterhead.
Mek, of course climate patterns are changing. They have done since the earth existed. I'm also all for working to ensure that pollution is reduced as much as possible and to conserving energy but not to the extent that people die of cold - or heat for that matter.
What I don't agree with is that I contribute my money towards those who are making billions out of selling carbon credits. It's like me selling you my air compared with yours in the city. A total scam.
Wow LotF, well done. I hope you treated yourself to a strong cup of tea. :)
Well weather and climate are entwined CH. Your can't have climate without weather can you?
Weather is the immediate result of climate or was my teacher wrong.
I have to defend the military radios which didn't work Dram. The MoD refused to listen to the experts, the Royal Signals, who told them the radios they'd ordered wouldn't be suitable.
Yes that's an idea. RM, stand for election. You have supporters. :)
I'm sorry William. A wind turbine is just that and will never be improved. Many countries have tried their best and given up. We're the only European country who keeps building the things.
For sure. Carbon Credits are a smoke-screen (no pun intended) for those who would rather not attend to streamlining their own activities. When one books a budget flight, one either has a measured conscience about the pollution or one does not. Paying your way out of making a decision misses the point.
I don't get your point Mek. I own a car and drive it. In fact I'm very responsible because it's low emissions (£30 tax a year) and high mpg ( average 55). If anyone expects me to feel any kind of guilt because my behaviour doesn't 'sacrifice' enough to their cause then they'd best forget it.
If I want to fly I'll fly. Have you a fridge and a washing machine? Everything pollutes to a degree. At my age, and having been sensible pollution wise for most of it, I'm not going to get worked up about someone telling me how to live while other countries belch out pollution which would put a 1950s London smog to shame.
A chap from BAE Systems told me that over half of wind-farm planning applications fail at the first hurdle because they would have detrimental affects on air safety by interfereing with RADAR which is still the main safety feature for air traffic control. Friends in surprising places.
Why does Sally Traffic on Radio 2 bore me sensless every 45 minutes screeching on and on about snow causing problems in remote little villages in northern Scotland? OK it's tough on the locals but hardly national news that it is snowing there at the end of November.
Dram..
Sorry typo. Should have been 'total' not 'toal'.
Good idea though. A toll on 'white elephants'. I've not got the face for tv unfortunately so wouldn't be much good as an MP.
Joe...
British Gas and Scottish Gas are just trade names for the multi national 'Centrica' who are not responsible for the interconnector.
Since the 'dash for gas' in the 80's we've wasted our gas on gas fired power stations and selling it to mainland Europe. We only had 6 days spare gas supply last winter compared to the average of 40 days on mainland Europe. The private gas companies are only interested in profit and will take whatever price they can get rather than turn off the supply of gas. It's just business and they have been selling it cheaply to Europe for decades. Europe stores the gas when gas prices are low.
Gazprom have tried to buy British Gas and although Tony Blair didn't see any problem the outcry from the public stopped the sale.
Interesting info banned.
The folk in remote Scottish villages aren't shrieking at all. They're used to this and have had years of practice coping with it. Few of them are inconvenienced much and they seldom complain.
RM, I'm sure we'd all chip in £1 for a wee bit plastic surgery. :)
I remember publishing a link to a graph about gas storage here and in Europe. It must be somewhere...
" RM, I'm sure we'd all chip in £1 for a wee bit plastic surgery. :)"
You might have to dig deeper than that SR ;)
Mind you Robin Cook did ok until he was allegedly bumped off.
banned...
And they also affect migratory birds. Killing thousands each year.
" Wind turbines aren't green. Every wind turbine has a magnet made of a metal called neodymium. There are 2.5 tonnes of it in each one. The mining and refining of neodymium is so dirty (involving repeated boiling in acid, with radioactive thorium as a waste product), that only one country does it: China. This year it flexed its trade muscles and briefly stopped exporting neodymium from its inner Mongolian mines. How’s that for dangerous reliance on a volatile foreign supply?"
paraphrased from..
http://www.rationaloptimist.com/blog/coming-dash-gas
RM, I thought Robin Cook was rather attractive personally, but I always like rather deep voices so maybe that was part of my judgement.
Mmm I can do 'deep voice' ;)
Basso profondo RM? I'll be your election agent. :)
Post a Comment