The beginnings of a recantation? - by Richard... Monday, April 19, 2010

The beginnings of a recantation? - by Richard... Monday, April 19, 2010

The Huffington Post tells as that: "Much energy (and money) has rightfully been expended studying the effects of greenhouse gases on the global climate, and more will be spent to deal with the consequent problems we will face, even though this phenomenon is unprecedented."

We would take issue with the "rightfully" claim but the piece then goes on to say:

It is a fact, however, that volcanic ejecta has radically changed our environment in the past. The Laki and Asama eruptions of 1783 were followed by an unusually cold year. The Tambora eruption in 1815 was followed in 1816 by a "year without a summer." A marked decrease in solar radiation in 1884-85 followed the Krakatoa eruption. Today's flight delays are just a whiff of the possible disruption Katla could cause. The costs of a major eruption today would be catastrophic.

We appear, therefore, to have the beginnings on a recantation from the mighty Huff. It is, though, almost the human condition – that we should be chasing after miasma, while ignoring the real perils on our doorsteps. A catastrophic volcano eruption has always been on the cards – and in fact is overdue. The consequences, however, are manageable, with an element of intelligent planning.

But, as we have so often pointed out before, governments are frittering away our money and intellectual capital on global warming, preparing for something that is unlikely to happen, while ignoring that which most likely will happen.

That is the true cost of the global warming obsession. When in a few years time we are freezing and starving, we will be cursing those fools who were responsible. By then, of course, it will be too late. We should be slaughtering them now.

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