That's One Way To Look At It

Courtesy of: https://artcarcass.wordpress.com/2012/04/19/an-earth-day-remix/

Quotes

“The world is getting warmer because of human activity—that’s a fact. If you have somebody who really strongly believes the Earth was flat, you wouldn’t have to have that person on a television show with the people who believe the earth is round. It’s not one person vs the other person. It’s 97 people vs. three people... To have a generation of science students brought up without awareness of climate change is just a formula for disaster.”

- Bill Nye 

Translate Climate Guy Page!

     Blogger has this nifty little gadget that can translate this blog into many different languages. How cool is that?! I am not sure how much of my humor, insight and hard work actually come across in the translations, but I figure it may attract more people. (I know a few people here in Germany would like to read it in their native tongue.)

     If English is not your first language, check out the Google Translator on the right side bar. Feedback on how well it translates would be greatly appreciated.

     Have a great day!

     Climate Guy

It's a Sad Day

     I am six hours ahead of the East Coast since I moved to Germany last May. So I get the news before most people wake up (or in the case of those in the restaurant biz, before you pass out). I bet there's a lot of drinking going on right now. The Republicans took over Congress yesterday. While I do not hate Republicans and have many conservative friends, the Republicans that reside or will reside on Capitol Hill are the ones that worry me. I don't like leaders who put money, power and their own needs before those they represent.

     You see, politicians are not like us. They want people to like them and vote for them, so they promise some outlandish shit in order to get elected. Congressmen only have to serve six years before they receive life long pensions and retirement funds. In a country reeling from a huge national debt, environmental issues like Climate Change and rising sea levels, racial tensions the likes we haven't seen on this scale since the 1960's and the cost of living escalating faster than people can add a third job, political office should be an honor, not a position of status. Democrats and Republicans both are failing the American People by putting themselves before the country.

     People like Ted Cruz believe that they are doing the country a service by throwing a temper tantrum on the Senate floor in order to shut down a government run by hard working Americans. How many people were not paid during that shut down? Thousands were not, but Ted Cruz was. People like Mitch McConnell want to close the EPA, ignore the dire warnings from the Climate experts of the world and revert us back to environmental standards reminiscent of the meat packing industry of the early 20th Century. People like John Boehner want to approve the Keystone Pipeline, dismantle the Affordable Care Act and continue to take money from the Oil Industry because with money comes power.

     I worry about the state of the country. I worry that with decreased environmental protections, relaxed environmental standards and with affordable healthcare off the table, the country is going to fall behind the rest of the world. Increased pollution means a higher frequency of sick people, which means more money needed for medical bills. How are Americans expected to pay for the increased cost of living...across the board!... when oil rebounds and the minimum wage drops? How do we look to the rest of the world, with our military might but refusal to join in discussion about global threats that cannot be addressed with military might?

     The world faces its greatest threat: Inaction. The seas are rising, the world is getting warmer. It doesn't matter what Rick Scott or Lamar Smith have to say about Climate Change. They are supposed to listen to the experts and act in the interests of their constituents. Not listen to their campaign contributors and pocket the spoils. We face a global threat in Climate Change and how we, the human race, are damaging our planet. This election showed how out of touch people are and how they fail to see the seriousness of our situation. Which means things are going to get much much worse before they get better. By then, it may very well be too late.

Is This Who You Really Want Speaking For You?

"Similar to previous reports, the latest findings appear more political than scientific. People are tired of the re-packaged rhetoric. It's time to stop fear mongering and focus on an honest dialogue about real options."

- Rep. Lamar Smith (TEX-R), Chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee
from MSNBC article on-line: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/science-committee-chair-shrugs-terrifying-new-climate-data

     It boggles the mind. That a person with very little understanding of science would be allowed to head a committee that exists to understand and pass legislation about it. As I read the polls and the articles about the election today, to think that the Republican will most likely win is devastating. No offense to my Republican friends, but the GOP plans to dismantle pretty much all of the environmental standards, laws, committees and Agencies. Many of these proposed moves will be in direct violation of the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the recent global protocols on CO2 emissions.

     The rest of the world (and the United States Military) recognize, accept and are planning for Climate Change effects, and trying to reduce our impact on the planet as a species. Yet, the United States continues to banter this topic around like its unclear, inconclusive and unimportant. The US Government is doing all of us a dis-service. How can the rest of the world be so wrong?

      The House and Senate are a disgrace to humanity. They are paid by Big Oil and the other fossil fuels industries. If you don't believe it, go dig around and see who the biggest donors are for these idiots. The words I type now in know way can express my anger and frustration with the likes of Congressman Smith and others like him. If these people are re-elected and what they carry out their plan to revert back to the days of Upton Sinclair and the railroad barons, then the American People should be ashamed of themselves.

     Go vote today and save the world. To do anything less would be a travesty to all of mankind.

Climate Reality Monday

     The UN IPCC released a new report, and it ain't good. Well, not all good, I should say. Our addiction to oil is destroying our planet. Its not just the air, with all the pollutants and CO2 we are pumping into it, its the oceans as well. Many people say that the oceans absorb most of the CO2 emissions we release, which is actually true. But they miss a very important point: A HEALTHY OCEAN would absorb that much CO2. And our oceans are not healthy.

     The IPCC warns that if we don't end out reliance on oil by the end of the Century, we will be faced with unavoidable effects of Climate Change. Some effects already seen are irreversible. I'm sure some Deniers will say that the oceans will take care of the excess CO2, but they are talking out of their asses. Those types cherry pick data to discredit and dismiss these reports. They fail to make the connection that by polluting our oceans with...wait for it... Oil and Oil-based byproducts reduces the ocean's ability to absorb CO2. Corral reefs are dying, aquatic vegetation is shrinking, and that means less chlorophyll-filled-CO2-loving organisms to convert all that carbon dioxide into oxygen. Its very similar to when those types say that CO2 is good for plants, and then cut down half the forests on the planet.    
   
    You can read the report on the IPCC site. It is translated into dozens of languages. Before you believe the pundits, I suggest you read it over. You know, because it does in fact come from some pretty smart people.

     For those of you who are looking to learn more about Climate Change and are looking to become more involved, take a look at this Webinar from the Climate Reality Project. I trained with Al Gore in Chicago in the summer of 2013. It was a life altering experience that I will never forget. It inspired me to create this blog and influence thousands of people! (Okay, maybe not thousands, but I can dream, can't I?)

     Ask me any questions about my experiences or leave a comment in the comments section. My experience with the Climate Reality Project was a defining moment in my life. Maybe it could be for you as well!

Record Site Visits!

     Thanks to everyone who dropped in to check out the blog. The month of October was my most prolific month, with over 4000 page views! Wow! Every month since June has seen a significant increase. Now, the site has over 10,800 views all time and I cannot be happier.

     I hope you continue to stop in and see what I post. If you would like to follow me via email or Subscribe, you can do so on the side bar and at the bottom of the page. Be a follower! It makes you a happier person and your friends will think you are cool. Share what you like from the site with your friends. They will thanks you.

Thanks again!

Climate Guy