Yeap, the Greenville weather guessers convinced me to not come out this morning, and here it is almost 12 noon – about when we would’ve been done with the morning shift – and there hasn’t been a drop of rain yet!

Once again, that old saying from the Navy stands true lol!

And now, “READ MY LIPS”…

For all the nay-sayers in the house – yea, you know who you are – scientists have just published more information on global warming’s effects on the polar regions, confirming the sad state of our environment that will probably not heal itself for several millennium.

IPY has provided a critical boost to polar research during a time in which the global environment is changing faster than ever in human history. It now appears clear that the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets are losing mass contributing to sea level rise. Warming in the Antarctic is much more widespread than it was thought prior to the IPY, and it now appears that the rate of ice loss from Greenland is increasing.

NOOA has determined that even if global carbon emissions were halted today, damage from the already rising thermostat would continue for 1,000 years. They say continuing business as usual will create permanent dust-bowl conditions in the U.S. Southwest and around the Mediterranean.

Pres. Obama said earlier today he is sending George Mitchell to the Middle East, maybe he can send somebody over to those global crooks, the Chinese, and talk some sense into their government too.

“Obama’s administration needs to act quickly to stimulate our ailing economy. One possibility for both stimulating the economy, preventing the collapse of the auto industry, tackling climate change, & promoting oil independence is to offer “cash for clunkers” – drivers could be given vouchers toward the purchase of newer, more fuel-efficient vehicles, with the old vehicles scrapped to get them off the road.”

I think those Brookings dudes may have something here. It certainly sounds like a plan to me; I’ve got an ‘89 I’d trade in for better gas mileage in a heartbeat!

In keeping with Obama’s campaign promise to fight against climate change, four steps that can accomplish that goal are outlined below:

1. The Administration must create certainty about long-run carbon prices – the key drivers of investment. President-elect Obama’s long-run goal of cutting emissions 80% below current emissions by 2050 is broadly consistent with what most scientists tell us will stabilize the climate at safe levels. That should remain the president-elect’s top priority.
2. Near-term targets – emissions targets for the next decade – are also important, but the near-term costs of achieving these targets should be monitored. The targets must be sufficiently stringent to send an appropriate price signal to companies investing now, but the legislation should also include provisions to contain near-term costs in case advanced technology turns out to be less plentiful than anticipated.