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Archive for the Global Climate Change Category

Coal (December 2, 2013)

Posted in Book Reference, Carbon Surcharge & Dividend, Coal, Global Climate Change, Global Warming, Less Government Regulation Series, Market Solutions, Markets, Plastic on December 2, 2013 by e-commentary.org

. . .

S “Books on Cod and Salt discuss the profound impacts of the fish and the element on civilization. Someone should write a piece titled Coal and its pernicious consequences.”

T “A few books dig into Dirt. We have clean dirt but not clean coal. ‘Clean coal’ is an ironic, oxymoronic and alliterative phrase repeated often enough to fool many folks.”

S “And ‘Dirty coal’ is redundant.”

. . .

S “Mother Nature leads us into temptation. The stuff is not shiny like gold but does provide that warm inner glow and hot outer glow that we all covet.”

T “We must resist El Diablo Negro.”

. . .

T “Later this week, coal will be deposited in the shoes of the youngsters who have been naughty rather than nice. And may not have resisted temptation.”

S “Some folks leave switches in shoes to acknowledge unacceptable behavior.”

T “I really never needed candy.”

S “We need to jolt folks into realizing that electricity is not produced for free at a wall switch.”

T “We dig deposits out of the dirt and deposit the stuff in our power plants and then deposit the by-products around the Earth and in our lungs. The death cycle of coal.”

S “We need to get folks to switch their behavior.”

. . .

T “I installed compact fluorescent lights (cfls) which admittedly have a little mercury that must be disposed of properly. My reduced demand for coal reduces the mercury released when coal is burned to produce electricity.”

. . .

S “A Carbon Surcharge and Dividend policy (CS&D) enlists the market mechanism to internalize the costs of carbon production and reduce its use without any other government regulation.”

. . .

[See the article on plastics drowning the oceans at http://www.latimes.com/opinion/commentary/la-oe-gold-plastic-waste-oceans-20131104,0,1147461.story#axzz2jywwzvfA.]

[See the “e-ssays” at On Trading Off (May 9, 2011) and Energy “Manhattan Project”: The “Carbon Tax And Dividend” (March 25, 2013.]

Bumper stickers of the week:

The solution to pollution ain’t dilution.

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis will be available in paper back in March.

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400 PPM (May 13, 2013)

Posted in Environment, Global Climate Change, Global Warming, Population, Press/Media on May 13, 2013 by e-commentary.org

. . .

1 “After careful and exhaustive research, 99.9999 percent of the legitimate scientists conclude that man’s activities are impacting Mother Earth and then some lunatics proclaim that the scientists are evenly divided. The charlatans may be just baying at the moon, but they are very effectively misleading many of the masses.”

2 “And a few folks feel obliged to provide equal time presenting each argument.”

1 “You don’t need to be a climate scientist to realize that a rapid and even radical increase in a dangerous chemical with reasonably predictable consequences requires more thoughtful and thought-provoking research and commentary.”

. . .

[See the discussion and references at http://citizensclimatelobby.org/files/images/400ppmPR051113.pdf.]

[See the “e-ssay” titled Less Government Regulation Series: The Terrorist Tax Again (August 3, 2009) and Energy “Manhattan Project”: The “Carbon Tax And Dividend” (March 25, 2013).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

“It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his job depends on not understanding it.” Upton Sinclair

“In the sack, save the leatherback; Don’t go bare, panthers are rare; Wrap with care, save the polar bear; When you’re feeling tender, think about the hellbender; Be a savvy lover, protect the snowy plover; Safe intercourse saves the dwarf seahorse. Extinction is forever, wear a condom.” Center for Biological Diversity.

CO2 = Not so good; CO2 Tax = good

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Energy “Manhattan Project”: The “Carbon Tax And Dividend” (March 25, 2013)

Posted in Awards / Incentives, Economics, Economics Nobel, Gay Politics, Global Climate Change, Global Warming, Supreme Court, Taxation on March 25, 2013 by e-commentary.org

. . .

C1 “The ‘Manhattan Project’ wisely collected all the talent in one location under one command to develop the atomic bomb. The project required the right mathematical formulas and the right raw materials to be assembled by one team under one governmental authority. Some say the solution to our energy challenges is to create a Manhattan Project under one authority with one energy czar. However, the solution is not to establish a government agency but rather to enlist and unfetter the market mechanism. Rather than subsidizing a company that is politically connected or sports a flashy marketing campaign, let the market decide. Let not one but one million citizens work on it. The proposed ‘carbon tax’ provides a tax on carbon and thus rewards those who can reduce or avoid the production of carbon and taxes those who cannot. The funds collected by the tax are returned as a dividend to the public to maintain revenue neutrality.”

C2 “The ‘old cap and trade scheme’ created undesirable property rights that would be unworkable and undesirable. A carbon tax and dividend sounds workable and desirable.”

C1 “Friedrich van Hayek would have endorsed the carbon tax and dividend mechanism. He surely is rolling over in his grave because we as a society have not adopted it.”

C2 “I know that I for one want Fred to rest in peace.”

. . .

[See the website http://www.citizensclimatelobby.org/.]

Bumper stickers of the week:

A planet is a terrible thing to waste

Sign outside the Supreme Court: “Supremes: You can hurry love.”

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O’Bama. Part Deux. (January 21, 2013)

Posted in Foreign Policy, Global Climate Change, Global Warming, Guns, Immigration, Locke Gary, Military, O'Bama, Presidency, Supreme Court on January 21, 2013 by e-commentary.org

. . .

A “Cope not hope this go around.”

B “Not as cold this time. And a different climate than four years ago.”

A “Sounds like he is moving from the right to the center.”

. . .

B “Chuck Hagel is a great move. The first enlisted man who actually saw combat as an NCO (“no chance officer”) and was not promoted to the officer corps now gets nominated to order and oversee the officers.”

A “Amazing thing in America that those who go to war and reflect on the experience become Democrats. Those who dodge the draft and never see combat become Republican chickenhawks.”

B “Hagel was never a butter bar and now he is tasked with reducing the fat in the Defense budget.”

A “The best place to start is with the Offense Department of the Department of Defense. Hagel is the most qualified player to oversee that transition to a sustainable defense in a complex and dangerous world.”

. . .

B “Jack Lew is a weak move.”

A “William Black for Treasury would move us into the black.”

B “The Owners will not allow O’Bama to make that selection.”

A “Someone must start the process of downsizing too-big-to-fail banks so that they are the right size to succeed.”

B “Financial reform may not be part of his legacy.”

. . .

A “We must force him to address his increased use of drones. If Bush had undertaken the current level of drone attacks on foreign soil and homes, he would have been leveled in some salons.”

B “Now drones can fill the skies in America. In the near future, there will be news reports of mid-air collisions between the ‘Fillmore County police drone’ and the ‘state troopers drone.’ Fly the friendly skies of United States of America.”

A “I suspect that some opposition to gun control in some quarters may be supported by a scintilla of rationality. A few individuals recognize that these violations of privacy are getting out of hand, so they want something in hand even if it is likely to be deadly, futile and counterproductive.”

B “They are impinging on our fundamental right to sit in my back yard and scratch body parts without being scrutinized.”

. . .

A “He has followed the nation’s emerging notions of gay rights and now is in lockstep with the public while the other legislature on Jenkins Hill – the Supreme Court – has elected to decide whether to take a step backward.”

B “The Supreme Court Legislature is as partisan and divisive as the real Congress legislature.”

. . .

B “And he mentioned climate change even though the climate changed in the scientific community many years ago.”

A “His comments were not warmly received.”

. . .

A “Immigration.”

. . .

B “And the most important appointment of the last decade – Gary Locke – may just stay on the job for four more years.”

. . .

[See the “e-ssay” titled O’Bama Arming Industry (November 22, 2010).]

[See the essay at http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/28/opinion/confessions-of-a-liberal-gun-owner.html.]

Bumper stickers of the week:

No country is exceptional; no country is evil.

provide for the common defense

In order to serve as many customers as possible, all ammunition sales are limited to three boxes per customer per day.

Because of extraordinarily high demand for ammunition and limited . . . .

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Pass The Mussels (November 19, 2012)

Posted in Food, Global Climate Change, Global Warming on November 19, 2012 by e-commentary.org

. . .

I “The local welcome wagon may have contributed maize to the cornucopia.”

P “The menu was discarded, yet historians suggest that they ate oysters, mussels, seafood, ducks and geese.”

I “We need to give thanks and take care of the sea.”

. . .

[See the “e-ssays” titled Plastic Pirates (August 6, 2012) and Playa Plastica / Plastic Beach (September 13, 2010).]

Bumper sticker of the week:

An ocean is a terrible thing to waste

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One Hundred Year Storms. Biennially? (October 29, 2012)

Posted in Abortion, Capital Punishment, Death Penalty, Global Climate Change, Global Warming on October 29, 2012 by e-commentary.org

. . .

3 “If we experience a one hundred year storm every two years, is it still a one hundred year storm.”

4 “Frankenstorm. What a name. A monster of our own creation.”

3 “From Bangladesh to Manhattan, somethin’ is happenin’ out there.”

4 “God insisted on introducing a campaign issue that is still disregarded by all the candidates.”

3 “God has such a diabolical sense of humor.”

. . .

Bumper stickers of the week:

Price The Poop; Tax The Trash; Support A Carbon Fee

God voted

“Don’t know your stand on climate change. If you are against a woman’s right to choose and are in favor of the death penalty, then you are against climate change. Legislation, that is. It’s that simple.”

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Plastic Pirates (August 6, 2012)

Posted in Boycott Series, Environment, Global Climate Change, Plastic, Water on August 6, 2012 by e-commentary.org

. . .

WS “We were promised yellow rubber ducks, plastic bottles, sneakers and other debris and detritus. Gyres of the stuff haunt and ply the waters. And we were not disappointed. The engine stalling in clear blue water with no visible junk was the great mystery. After looking at the intake, we scooped up and strained some of the water and discovered very small plastic particles that blocked the intake. Plastic has saved many trees and other living things, yet plastic does not revert to its elements in an environmentally friendly way. The plastic particles are getting into everything. Plastic pirates plying the Pacific.”

. . .

[WS = World Sailor]

[See the “e-ssay” titled Playa Plastica / Plastic Beach (September 13, 2010).]

Bumper sticker of the week:

Boycott plastic

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Gettin’ It Right (June 4, 2012)

Posted in Abortion, Capital Punishment, China, Death Penalty, Global Climate Change, Global Warming, Race, Society on June 4, 2012 by e-commentary.org

. . .

R “We need to continue segregation and maintain the policy of ‘massive resistance’ to integration.”

R “We need to continue to enforce miscegenation laws.”

R “We need to continue not to recognize Red China.”

R “We need to continue sending troops to Vietnam.”

R “We need to continue sending citizens to the gallows.”

R “We need to continue our control of the Panama Canal.”1

R “We need to continue treating women as second class citizens.”

R “We need to continue a man’s right to decree that a woman does not have the right to choose.”

R “We need to continue mistreating those who are gay, lesbian, and transgender.”

R “We need to continue disregarding overwhelming evidence that we are abusing Mother Nature.”

R “We need to continue . . . .”

. . .

1 “After all, we stole it fair and square.”

[See the “e-ssay” titled “I Am A Republican (February 7, 2011).”]

Bumper stickers of the week:

When you are trying to measure someone’s credibility, take a gander at his or her track record.

Will the Chinese finance America’s invasion of China?

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Happy Birthday Earth Day (April 23, 2012)

Posted in Bankruptcy, Environment, Global Climate Change, Global Warming, Pensions on April 23, 2012 by e-commentary.org

. . .

CC1 “I remain surprised that Nixon signed the ‘Environmental Protection Act’ shortly after the first Earth Day in 1969.”

CC2 “Time to give some thought to passing the ‘Carbon Rebate and Climate Protection Act’ or some similar legislation.”

CC1 “You need a sexier name.”

CC2 “Sex Save Sex The Sex Planet Sex Act Sex.”

. . .

[The proposed ‘Carbon Rebate and Climate Protection Act’ or ‘Save Our Climate Act’ is discussed at http://www.citizensclimatelobby.org/ and some optimistic future scenarios are discussed at http://io9.com/5903810/optimistic-visions-of-the-world-after-the-oil-runs-out.]

[The Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 17. Stay tuned.]

Bumper stickers of the week:

A good planet is hard to find

“To declare national policy which will encourage productive and enjoyable harmony between man and his environment; to promote efforts which will prevent or eliminate damage to the environment and biosphere and stimulate the health and welfare of man; to enrich the understanding of the ecological systems and natural resources important to the Nation . . . .”

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We Ain’t Ants; We Are Grasshoppers (April 9, 2012)

Posted in Depression, Entitlements, Environment, Food, Global Climate Change, Global Warming, Pogo Plight, Society, Water on April 9, 2012 by e-commentary.org

. . .

C1 “Eating out will make you eat in. Or lose your appetite. Americans devour too much food and waste too much food. A friend said that he could not go a week in any activity catering to the American appetite because he could not stomach the gross waste of food.”

C2 “Americans put too much on their waists and then waste the rest. They waist food and then waste food.”

C1 “If Bill Shakespeare didn’t document it, Aesop did. The timeless human experience.”

C2 “Bill on burgers, Aesop on arugula?”

C1 “I thought they relayed the ‘Ant and the Grasshopper fable’ to us to teach us to play well with others even if the others played too much. I thought we would be directed to be a good ant and let the grasshopper come in out of the cold. Then she read the ending and said that the ants rebuked and rebuffed the grasshopper when he sought to come in out of the cold.”

C2 “You can’t blame them. The ants saved and gathered all summer while the grasshopper played and partied.”

C1 “But we are all playing and partying. There are not enough ants.”

C2 “Everyone must be an enlightened ant. The grasshoppers are preparing by collecting guns. The few ants must continue to save and gather and . . . collect guns.”

. . .

[See the article “Clean your plate, save the world?: Scientific American.”]

[See the “e-ssays” titled “Beans and Bullets (April 6, 2009),” “On Entitlements (July 19, 2010)” and “Girding For The Going Grid (October 11, 2010).”]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Personal responsibility; fiscal responsibility; legal responsibility

Providence prefers providence

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