Title 24-Data, Ltd.
Frazier Park, Ca. 93225-2199
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GLOBAL WARMING
In the late 1980's California Energy Commission was costing the state money
that was in limited supply. There was talk around CABEC (California Association of
Building Energy Consultants) that the Energy Standards might become like the
dinosaur. Enter Global Warming and the Greenhouse Gases. It looked like Energy
Conservation might serve a dual purpose, slow down obliteration of the depletable
resource of OIL and protect our planet earth.
The year 1990 brought a world conference in Geneva, the Second World Climate
Conference. Two years later the United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro. This conference was attended by over 25,
000 people from around the world and 160 countries signed a Goals Paper for climate
change. Is Global Warming real? Many people, scientists and government leaders
think it is. There are complicated issues which has brought about debate and the
consternation that predictions about the weather10 years from now is irresponsible.
Is there proof that Global Warming is REAL??? Those who say that the climate
is not changing can tell it to the 100,000 dead in Africa during the 1980's due to drought.
1995 was the warmest year on record and 8 of the hottest years in history was in the
1980's or 1990's. Is El Nino REAL?
More severe El Nino is linked to Global
Warming. The effect of the warm ocean temperature, waves and the wind, in
combination with slightly increased day and night temperature can be shown to be more
disastrous in computer models of the weather predictions.
Besides the ocean surface temperature, wave generation, earth rotation, moon
gravity effect, wind and jet stream there are many other things which effect the weather
around the globe. The largest effect on the weather is the effect of the sun. Solar
radiation comes through the atmosphere as short waves of light and absorbed by the
earth & ocean. These reflect the heat as long waves back into space. The same
amount of heat should be exchanged. The long waves or infrared radiation leaves
through the atmosphere but is absorbed by some the Greenhouse Gasses. Oxygen
and Nitrogen which make up most of our atmosphere do not absorb radiation. CO2,
water vapor, Ozone, CH4, Methane and Sodium Oxide all absorb thermal radiation
and so blanket the earth with too much heat which is radiated back down to earth, out to
space and stays in the atmosphere. The weather changes due to this heat is REAL.
CO2 is generated by the power plants in order to make electricity.
We need
to reduce CO2 emissions. Thus energy conservation also aids the environment. The
EPA is now getting involved with this issue and for several years have been looking into
ways to reduce the CO2 emissions. They want to put the Energy Star label on
efficient computer screens, fixtures, insulation and even homes. If your house builder
has done a excellent job in building you might get the brass Energy Star plate for your
home.
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December 1997 brought the scientists and politicos together in Kyoto, Japan.
From 160 countries they came. They tried to hammer out a agreements to reduce
CO2 emissions. Those scientists fear the future predictions they are making.
At Kyoto, the USA representative has promised third world nations that the USA
would reduce CO2 emissions back to the 1990 level by 2012, from 6% to 8% reduction.
Many politicians are financially motivated and refuse to agree with these reduction
figures, afraid it will affect our economy. This issue will be a real dog fight in the
government circles.
CO2 has risen 30% since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution about 100
years ago. Scientists feel that there is a 90% chance that temperatures will rise 4 to 5
degrees in the northern hemisphere. To show the thermal properties of CO2, Just
think, the moon is the same distance from the sun as the earth. If the moon had CO2
in its atmosphere, it would be as comfortable as the earth.
That increase of 4 or 5 degrees will be a boon to farmers in the northern
hemisphere who can grow better crops, have a longer growing season while receiving
rain instead of snow. Of course many islands of the sea would disappear, whole coast
line towns would be gone also as the ocean rises 2 feet and more in other areas. The
hot arid countries would not be able to grow crops, present drought conditions would
likely be worse. On the other hand, rain and snow storms will have more vapor
causing heaver storms.
The bottom line is we know what we have with our weather patterns now, but the
fear of the unknown is of real concern. What the future holds if we keep polluting the
earth is scarey. Could the thought of the Bible book Revelation at Chapter 11, Verse
18 have any application to those polluting the earth?? You tell me.
On the positive side, James Hansen a scientist who first highlighted the role of
Greenhouse gases in the issue of Global Warming has revised his findings. James
Hansen’s paper “Global warming in the twenty-first century: An alternative scenario”
revises the view of non-CO2 gases. He points out the rapid rise in warming has been
driven by Chlorofluorocarbons, CH4, N2O and the reduction of these products will start
a downward trend in temperatures beginning in 2050. Ok, fifty years to wait but what
about fears of the upward trend until then??
Besides the scientific issues concerning Global Warming, there are financial and
political issues here. Can there be honesty where so many separate concerned parties
are involved? There is a INTERNET location you can go to for information on Global
Warming, go to www.globalwarming.org/index.htm
As a energy consultant these issues give me job security. But I am not so petty
to look at a catastrophe to others and feel good about it even if my job is benefitted by
the need for greater conservation issues. I want to continue to look for a cure.
At this date, 2004, the EPA has worked hard with each state to help them enact a
energy documentation for new building construction requirement or clean up the air in
each state. Most states preferred to enact a energy documentation, building energy
use restriction format.
One of the greatest advances in the window industry just occurred in the last few
years. A coating applied to glass several atoms thick will reflect the higher waves of
heat, and lower waves of ultraviolet while allowing over 90% of the vision waves
between 300 and 1200 to pass through. This will mean about a 40% savings in energy
usage for windows, the largest energy transfer point in homes. Cardinal Glass calls
their product LoE Squared. Many window manufactures carry this glass instead of the
Low E they used to install to their products. Call me for a listing of Window
Manufacture who do.