How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

FloridaDon — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:35:21 GMT

I attached below the only scientific explaniation I have seen on this subject, for you who belelive that the CO2 you breath out with every breath is destrying the world, please review.

The Australian, July 18, 2008

No smoking hot spot

David Evans | July 18, 2008

I DEVOTED six years to carbon accounting, building models for the Australian Greenhouse Office. I am the rocket scientist who wrote the carbon accounting model (FullCAM) that measures Australia's compliance with the Kyoto Protocol, in the land use change and forestry sector.

FullCAM models carbon flows in plants, mulch, debris, soils and agricultural products, using inputs such as climate data, plant physiology and satellite data. I've been following the global warming debate closely for years.

When I started that job in 1999 the evidence that carbon emissions caused global warming seemed pretty good: CO2 is a greenhouse gas, the old ice core data, no other suspects.

The evidence was not conclusive, but why wait until we were certain when it appeared we needed to act quickly? Soon government and the scientific community were working together and lots of science research jobs were created. We scientists had political support, the ear of government, big budgets, and we felt fairly important and useful (well, I did anyway). It was great. We were working to save the planet.

But since 1999 new evidence has seriously weakened the case that carbon emissions are the main cause of global warming, and by 2007 the evidence was pretty conclusive that carbon played only a minor role and was not the main cause of the recent global warming. As Lord Keynes famously said, "When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?"

There has not been a public debate about the causes of global warming and most of the public and our decision makers are not aware of the most basic salient facts:

1. The greenhouse signature is missing. We have been looking and measuring for years, and cannot find it.

Each possible cause of global warming has a different pattern of where in the planet the warming occurs first and the most. The signature of an increased greenhouse effect is a hot spot about 10km up in the atmosphere over the tropics. We have been measuring the atmosphere for decades using radiosondes: weather balloons with thermometers that radio back the temperature as the balloon ascends through the atmosphere. They show no hot spot. Whatsoever.

If there is no hot spot then an increased greenhouse effect is not the cause of global warming. So we know for sure that carbon emissions are not a significant cause of the global warming. If we had found the greenhouse signature then I would be an alarmist again.

When the signature was found to be missing in 2007 (after the latest IPCC report), alarmists objected that maybe the readings of the radiosonde thermometers might not be accurate and maybe the hot spot was there but had gone undetected. Yet hundreds of radiosondes have given the same answer, so statistically it is not possible that they missed the hot spot.

Recently the alarmists have suggested we ignore the radiosonde thermometers, but instead take the radiosonde wind measurements, apply a theory about wind shear, and run the results through their computers to estimate the temperatures. They then say that the results show that we cannot rule out the presence of a hot spot. If you believe that you'd believe anything.

2. There is no evidence to support the idea that carbon emissions cause significant global warming. None. There is plenty of evidence that global warming has occurred, and theory suggests that carbon emissions should raise temperatures (though by how much is hotly disputed) but there are no observations by anyone that implicate carbon emissions as a significant cause of the recent global warming.

3. The satellites that measure the world's temperature all say that the warming trend ended in 2001, and that the temperature has dropped about 0.6C in the past year (to the temperature of 1980). Land-based temperature readings are corrupted by the "urban heat island" effect: urban areas encroaching on thermometer stations warm the micro-climate around the thermometer, due to vegetation changes, concrete, cars, houses. Satellite data is the only temperature data we can trust, but it only goes back to 1979. NASA reports only land-based data, and reports a modest warming trend and recent cooling. The other three global temperature records use a mix of satellite and land measurements, or satellite only, and they all show no warming since 2001 and a recent cooling.

4. The new ice cores show that in the past six global warmings over the past half a million years, the temperature rises occurred on average 800 years before the accompanying rise in atmospheric carbon. Which says something important about which was cause and which was effect.

None of these points are controversial. The alarmist scientists agree with them, though they would dispute their relevance.

The last point was known and past dispute by 2003, yet Al Gore made his movie in 2005 and presented the ice cores as the sole reason for believing that carbon emissions cause global warming. In any other political context our cynical and experienced press corps would surely have called this dishonest and widely questioned the politician's assertion.

Until now the global warming debate has merely been an academic matter of little interest. Now that it matters, we should debate the causes of global warming.

So far that debate has just consisted of a simple sleight of hand: show evidence of global warming, and while the audience is stunned at the implications, simply assert that it is due to carbon emissions.

In the minds of the audience, the evidence that global warming has occurred becomes conflated with the alleged cause, and the audience hasn't noticed that the cause was merely asserted, not proved.

If there really was any evidence that carbon emissions caused global warming, don't you think we would have heard all about it ad nauseam by now?

The world has spent $50 billion on global warming since 1990, and we have not found any actual evidence that carbon emissions cause global warming. Evidence consists of observations made by someone at some time that supports the idea that carbon emissions cause global warming. Computer models and theoretical calculations are not evidence, they are just theory.

What is going to happen over the next decade as global temperatures continue not to rise? The Labor Government is about to deliberately wreck the economy in order to reduce carbon emissions. If the reasons later turn out to be bogus, the electorate is not going to re-elect a Labor government for a long time. When it comes to light that the carbon scare was known to be bogus in 2008, the ALP is going to be regarded as criminally negligent or ideologically stupid for not having seen through it. And if the Liberals support the general thrust of their actions, they will be seen likewise.

The onus should be on those who want to change things to provide evidence for why the changes are necessary. The Australian public is eventually going to have to be told the evidence anyway, so it might as well be told before wrecking the economy.

Dr David Evans was a consultant to the Australian Greenhouse Office from 1999 to 2005

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

Victoria78 — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:32:02 GMT

I would classify this stuff, as weapons of mass destruction!!! Why has America let this stuff enter into our food supply? You guy can't be that stupid, as to pass legislation to allow this to happen. I'm just an average person and IF I CAN find this stuff out, why can those that have the right or authority let this become the norm and then have to deal with all the problems of food shortages and the chem trails stuff come on people LET'S GET INFORMED AND GET THIS STUFF OUT OF OUR LIVES, Government, get with it and stop listening to those that have a smooth story! This stuff is not legal, and has by-passed anyone with any sence!!! Let's hold a big dinner for the Skull and Bones and feed them their creation!!! YUM, now that would be real nice for us to do hu?, NOT, YOU BUTTWIPES!!!!!! WE ARE NOTHING LIKE THE SICK &^$KS YA'LL ARE!!!! There is a payday and it's not going to be like you think! Hope you wake up!!!

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

nutritionresearchcenter.org — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:57:32 GMT

The first and foremost problem for all of our problems is overpopulation. A smaller population makes a smaller impact. It's the most basic logic. Secondly, when you have a government that is so selfish that it will kill for oil, then you have a fundamental problem that spins out of control. This current Bush administration has bled America dry, squandered a vast wealth, lied to the world, and created a ripple effect that is being seen in every segment of life, from the environment to the economy. It was all so predictable from before Bush took office. Meanwhile they continue to hammer away at national security. When people are starving and dying, this is the least of our concerns. We are a world community yet these little minds are acting as if we are an island unto ourselves.

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

TiaIsWorried — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 18:08:06 GMT

Yet another wake up call that the masses are missing.

We will experience shortages in the US, but it won't be shortages of pre-packaged & processed foodstuffs. It will be shortages of real food. I am hoping that the organic & local will not be affected. Yet, my diet relies on foods from many nations and these are the crops that will be the most affected. After all, there are no locally grown bananas and limes in the Midwest.

Since becoming ultra aware of our new world (money brokers, politicians, GMO & wealth distribution) last year, it has become apparent that we all need to wake up. Regretfully, my entreaties to my family & friends are falling on deaf ears. All I can do is prepare my family, as best I can, and spread the word.

1. Get your financial house in order. Downsize, cut the extras (phone, tv, etc) to basic yet civilized and pay off credit card debt. I am so grateful that we decided to take a loan against our 401(k) in March (stocks were high) and pay off the credit cards that decided to screw us because we are stupid enough to pay our bills on time and above the minumums. To reward us three companies tripled our interest rates. They are now making nothing on us. And I am buying back stock at a lower stock rate and paying myself 7% intererst instead of BoA 30%.

2. Stock up on basics: Water, soap, feminine hygiene products, diapers, rice, flour, sugar, canned goods, pet food etc. I truly believe that some event (crash of stock market, China closing its borders OR flooding our country with trillions of our debt and US dollars, large scale terrorist event or millions of other scenarios) will eventually suspend our transportation and/or financial centers--and thus food--for at least a minimal time. Not even considering that a natural disaster could knock us off the grid for a time. My family won't listen but at least I know my baby girl will be fed.

3. Eat closest to nature. Use natural remedies. Sweat and exercise.

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

Linda Mae — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:44:44 GMT

No one puts food in our mouths. No one tells us what to buy at the grocery store. We and we alone make these choices. Some of us are ignorant and make bad choices. It is our responsibility to learn and to make better choices. No one else's. I'm tired of having governmental agencies being accused of creating problems which really are the result of personal choices. Not that they are entirely blameless. Only in America do we complain about $4,00 gas yet pay $1 for a 12 ounce bottle of water which we can get at the tap for free. Warped values abound in the USA.

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

Michelle37 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:24:22 GMT

Krishna,

I agree completely. We do need to learn how to grow our own food.

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

Michelle37 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:23:59 GMT

Gary Collins,

good points about organic farming/composting.

May I recommend worm composting at home? It's cheap, can be done from a bin under the sink, and is a potentially lucrative home business.

And it's easy, too. I borrowed a 12-minute video aimed at Canadian schoolchildren to learn how to do it.

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

Michelle37 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:18:25 GMT

Hi Hotrocker,

I've seen some of these, and they were quite good. I particularly appreciate the one about the US Space Command.

My two cents here: A disclaimer about the "banned" speech-it isn't technically an actual speech, but is a well-edited melange of audio clips from several different speeches by the aforementioned speaker.

Most people would probably get that, but just in case... The editor of the "speech" is using the clips to make a powerful point about the person speaking.

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

Michelle37 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:10:36 GMT

Dr. Rik and Islander,

you might be pleasantly surprised to find out that the trend is reversing. If you have a chance, check out Lime.com. There are articles about people who are starting their own gardens and raising animals for dairy and wool...even city dwellers are starting to do this.

A lot of people are scaling back because they just can't keep up with the Joneses anymore. Many others (myself included) have been trying to find more sustainable ways to live for about the past decade, in the voluntary simplicity movement. It's a slow-moving train, but it's picking up speed, now that people's cards are maxed-out!

I have a feeling that the reason the English have better sustained their gardens is because they experienced much greater, long-term hardship during WWII first-hand than we across the Atlantic did. They really pulled together as a nation in many ways (including healthcare, but that's another story), and I think it helped them see things very differently than we do here.

Only time will tell if what's happening now in the States is a lasting heart change, or a fad that runs its course until people's credit rebounds. We can hope that many, like me, taste the waters of simplicity, and find them a lot sweeter than swilling the refuse of never-ending consumerism.

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

scootergirl — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 17:56:58 GMT

triggerRN how do you not let your kids get the vaccinations. I was always told my children could not attend without it. I was since learned that you can go through a doctor that says it could be harmful to your child but those doctors are nowhere to be found. Every doctor I have talked with says children need their vaccinations. Now I have grand babies and my children are facing the same problem.

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

Hamsag — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:20:34 GMT

You forget one of the causes of the food crisis:The speculation, which increases the prises a lot

Dr. E. Hamsag

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

whimsley — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:24:04 GMT

Curious 7, I see that you are deeply invested in your beliefs. Let me offer a different point of view. I believe that, as humans, we are meant to eat meat, fish, seafood, fruits, and vegetables. We did not eat grains or potatoes. Our ancestors, going back further than the advent of agriculture, were hunters and gatherers. We had the ability to make weapons and tools and therefor had no need for huge teeth or claws. The consequences we are facing now (Rain forest depletion, pollution, etc.) are not caused by having meat in our diets. It is rather caused by our development of tools, technology, medicine, societies, etc. that have allowed us to overpopulate our planet. In nature, there is a constant process of population control going on. Years with excess are followed with population growth. Years of lean are followed by population decreases. Humans have circumvented the natural processes. We cannot expand forever. Our earth has a limit, and we are just recently realizing this. I am an organic farmer and my goal is to leave my land in better health than it was when I acquired it.

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

whimsley — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:57:12 GMT

Daniel Quinn is the author of "Ishmael," also "My Ishmael" and "The Story of B." It is totally fiction, but makes you stop and think. It is very simple and goes a long, long way in explaining how we got to be the way we are. Read "Ishmael", please, and then do all in your power to become a "leaver" instead of a :taker."

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

StrangerHereMyself — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 18:05:29 GMT

I can't help but wonder if the reason we haven't had riots yet is because we're dumbed down so much we (and by 'we' I meant the average American) just accept whatever THEY tell us and don't think? Seems like other countries, who've had to think and work to survive and therefore haven't gotten lazy, complacent, and PLIABLE, are far richer in some respects than we are.

re: How the Government is Causing the Global Food Crisis

corgi — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:23:07 GMT

I was born and raised on a farm in 1943. We raised everything we consumed, corn for meal, animal feed and cash crop, peanuts for oil and butter and cash crop, tobacco for cash crop, milo for meal and cow feed. We had goats,good cheese and meat and milk, cows for meat and milk, hogs for food and sale. We also had a big garden with everything you can imagine in it, plus nut trees, fruit trees, apple ,peach, pear, apricot, cherry, persimmons, and we fished on the weekends in the big river down the road and caught perch, bass, etc and dried, smoked and salted them for the winter along with all the fruits and veggies we prepared. No one had ADD or any of the psychotic medical induced diseases and avg life span for the family is 85-95, except for the ones that smoked. We used herbal meds and only went to the doctor for appendicitis and a few broken bones.

The food we eat today is making us fat, insane and physcologically dependent on drugs to exist. We are no longer able to do or think for ourselves as a whole and Phil Gramm was totally correct: we are a nation of whiners, wimps and complainers who think the govt is responsible for us from intercourse to graveside. We are killing ourselves in the insane rampant race for the dollar. There is no longer any food in our 'food'. I think its outrageous that we have the audacity to export our decatence to others.