Global Warming Interview

Introduction: I was recently approached for an interview by a school girl here in West Virginia studying global warming. I am publishing her questions and my replies because I thought it might be educational to other students doing a class project.

QUESTION: Can you explain what you do and how you became involved in Global Warming?

ANSWER: I am a longstanding advocate and activist for environmental concerns. I was first approached for this interview because I run an Internet blog that has some articles on the topic of global warming and other environmental concerns. I first became interested in climate changes based upon my observations over the years. A small change in the average yearly temperature can have drastic effects on the climate. We have more tornadoes and hurricanes in the USA than we once had decades ago, simply because the climate is changing as the result of greenhouse gases emitted from fossil fuel consumption. Rest assured that the winters here in West Virginia are generally milder than they were when I was a child 40 years ago.

QUESTION: I have learned that some scientists and professionals in the field do not believe in the Greenhouse Effect. Do you believe in Greenhouse Gases (Global Warming)?

ANSWER: There are some propagandists who debunk the well-established science of combustion chemistry. Combustion of hydrocarbon fuels such as petroleum and coal produce large volumes of Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) as a byproduct of high temperature oxidization (Combustion).

It is a matter of common knowledge among intelligent people that the physics of the Carbon atom gives Carbon qualities conducive to the absorption of radiation. This is why some nuclear reactors use graphite and other carbon polymers as an element of the control rods that are used to regulate the nuclear chain reaction within the reactor. We know that the sun produces radiation that creates heat and light within the atmosphere and carbon absorbs radiation. When radiation is absorbed, heat is produced as a byproduct. Therefore it is reasonable and rational to extrapolate a conclusion that the greater the amount of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere as the result of fossil fuel consumption, the more potential heat is absorbed from solar radiation. The percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is directly proportional to the ability of the atmosphere to absorb heat from the sun.

QUESTION: Have you studied Global Warming?

ANSWER: I have studied the chemistry and the physics of the theory, and perceive the theory to be based on generally accepted principles of science. Once the debate is stripped of the political spin from the fans of the coal and oil industry, it is really pretty basic science.

QUESTION: How do scientists research something like this?

ANSWER: Statistical analysis of long term NOAA databases used to maintain the history of weather patterns over a period of several decades to arrive at a statistical pattern of weather over the multi seasonal spectrum. Statistical Meteorology.

QUESTION: How do you research this issue?

ANSWER: I try to look at the data with a detached point of view; in short I am objective in my analysis. I m no science guru, nor am I stupid.

QUESTION: What do you think is the main cause of Global Warming?

ANSWER: Excessive consumption of carbon based fuels emitting huge volumes of Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon Monoxide and Carbon Dioxide form the majority of "greenhouse gases".

QUESTION: What effect is Global Warming having on mankind?

ANSWER: The erosion of the polar ice caps is already creating problems in navigation in polar oceans. Bigger Icebergs. Eventually this influx of fresh water from the polar ice caps into the ocean will affect the saline levels of ocean water exterminating some saline sensitive species, and deterioration of the polar caps will affect the actual sea level in the long term.

QUESTION: What effect is Global Warming having on plant life and animals?

ANSWER: A slight fluctuation in temperature will have great impact on growing seasons and crop production in agriculture. Migratory patterns of certain aquatic species will change as well, affecting the food chain.

QUESTION: What effect is Global Warming having on your community?

ANSWER: Last Summer was pretty warm, that trend will continue. Last winter was pretty warm too compared to what it was decades ago. You young people need to ask the old timers to confirm this.

QUESTION: What do you know for sure will happen for us in the future, due to Global Warming?

ANSWER: A gradual rise in the temperature of planet Earth and drastic changes in climate in the long run.

QUESTION: What do you suspect will happen (in addition to the things you know for sure) for us in the future, due to Global Warming?

ANSWER: Siberia will get warmer, and the growing season will get longer in Siberia. Food production will increase in Northern Latitudes.

QUESTION: What are your personal feelings concerning Global Warming?

ANSWER: The USA needs to become more committed to the Kyoto Protocol, an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (fostered by the UN) through the research and implementation of alternative fuels such as hydrogen, and atomic power. New scrubber technology can be used to reduce carbon gas emissions from coal-fired power plants.

QUESTION: Do you think Global Warming is a serious issue that the World needs to think about?

ANSWER: The world has thought about it and has developed a strategy to reduce the problem in the Kyoto Protocol. However the USA and China are not adding much effort to this international collaborative agreement.

QUESTION: What do you know of what is being done Worldwide to fight Global Warming?

ANSWER: The Kyoto Protocol is the best hope we have right now. More research needs to be done to find new strategies.

QUESTION: What do you know of what is being done in the US to fight Global Warming?

ANSWER: Not much of anything because the oil industry, and the coal industry, denies the existence of problem. Those industries have a lot of friends in Congress.

QUESTION: What do you feel the World Governments can do?

ANSWER: Formulate a global broad-spectrum strategy to abate the problem.

QUESTION: What do you feel that the US Government can do?

ANSWER: Encourage the sensible use of energy and reduce wastage.

QUESTION: What do you feel the Local Governments can do?

ANSWER: It would help if local governments encouraged business entities to turn off electric signs and lighting when the store or businesses are not open for business. The energy savings would be tremendous. Less fuel would be used to generate electricity and greenhouse gases would be reduced as a result. Local governments need to pass ordinances against the frivolous wastage of energy. This would reduce our dependency on imported fuels and maybe the fines from the citations would generate a wee bit of income for cash strapped municipalities.

QUESTION: What can individuals and families do to help?

ANSWER: Save energy whenever possible.

QUESTION: What actions have you personally taken to help prevent Global Warming?

ANSWER: I ride a bicycle to save money on gasoline sometimes; besides being good exercise it saves gasoline and reduces pollution.

QUESTION: What actions can you suggest that my class can take to help prevent Global Warming?

ANSWER: Your class members need to ask your grandparents and other mature people if the climate has changed over the last 40 years. Ask them if the winters of today are milder than the winters of decades past. Then if you are convinced the worlds climate is changing, act accordingly to minimize your use of energy from fossil fuels.

QUESTION: Do you use any Energy Star labeled objects?

ANSWER: Yes, many energy efficient products are superior in construction to standard products. I use a laptop rather than a desktop computer to reduce energy usage.

QUESTION: Do you have any interesting facts to share with me that I have not covered with my questions?

ANSWER: Your questions are pretty extensive.

QUESTION: Do you have any books, magazines or websites you could recommend to my class?

ANSWER: http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/kpeng.html A UN Affiliated Website

QUESTION: How can I help make people care about Global Warming?

ANSWER: Ask them what kind of world that they want to leave for their great grandchildren?

Stephanie Heck / Huntington West Virginia.