Global Warming......yeah, about that!

[Indyron]

From what I read if accelerated climate change by man is real (and there is no doubt in my mind it is), current Spyder riders are too old be concerned anyway.

You can teach your grand kids how to swim!

 

[johnsimion]

Well we do live under a variable star ( a G2V type star) on a planet with an elliptical orbit with an axis that does wobble a bit. When these effects come into play the temperature of the earth will seem to change. The stacking effect ( machining and engineering term) is real ( in my humble opinion) Over a LOOOOONG period of time the change tends to average out. Over our SHORRRRRRT lives it may seem to make a big difference.

I accept that global warming is real because it's the consensus of the scientific community, give or take a couple of outliers, and because I trust people who are smarter than I am who have actually studied the issue and come to that conclusion ... people who have nothing to gain from drawing that conclusion, unlike people who have a financial stake in unlimited growth and things the way they are. It is the height of arrogance to deny facts just because they don't fit your opinion or your pocketbook, and I honestly can't take anyone seriously who thinks global warming is real because it's hot today or denies it because it's cold outside today. That's not how global phenomenons work. As Lew points out, there are many variables involved in this global phenomenon. The variables he mentions are at a solar-system scale and he's absolutely right about them, but one variable he didn't mention is the one within our control right here on Earth, and that's the composition of the atmosphere. It cannot be seriously denied that CO2 causes a greenhouse effect and the scientists say the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has dramatically increased over, say, the last 100 years. Certainly that does not prove that the CO2 is the sole cause of the global warming OR that mankind was the sole source of the CO2. OTOH, it seems pretty darned stupid to knowingly pumping more and more CO2 into the atmosphere in the midst of global warming, whether that CO2 is the sole cause of the warming or simply a minor contribution. Adding more CO2 is like putting fertilizer on the weeds in your garden; it can only make the problem worse. Moreover, while the temperature will undoubtedly average out over a LOOOOOONG period of time, that will be small comfort if the high temperatures make the Earth uninhabitable during the SHORRRRRRT lives of ourselves and our children and grandchildren. That's why the problem can't be ignored -- and why I support efforts to control CO2 emissions [although Chinese coal-burning power plants are such high emitters of CO2 that they should be the first ones to be controlled].

 

[gnorthern]

RE: Mosquitos--In our area (Anchorage), the mosquitos start coming out in May. We refer to them as B-52's. They are big and slow moving. By mid June they are gone. If you wish to go North to the Tundra--watch out. They will fly off with your Spyder. I am just down the road from Ft. Richardson. Coming from MN and WI--we don't have a problem with them. :yes:

Good, a native that would know about mosquitos in Alaska.
1. Is it normal for the coastal areas to not have that many mosquitos? I have had good luck in the Glacier Bay and Juneau area.
2. Is there a time before freezing weather when they thin out?
3. I was southwest of Fairbanks one time on a forest fire and though thick I was amazed at how well 40% DEET insect repellent worked. Is that true further north in the tundra?

Thanks.

P.S. I know the roads in Alaska are not suitable for a Spyder. This would be in an SUV.

 

[Navydad]

Our New Years Day ride here in southern Ohio was canceled as well. It wasn't the cold that did it for me. All It takes is heated gear and a bit of stupid and I have lots of both. What killed it for me was the massive amount of salt and brine mix that ODOT decided to dump on the roads just before the huge 3 inch snowfall we recently were blessed with. They used very little last year so they must have needed to rotate the stock. I was in no mood to clean that stuff off of the Spyder in single digit temps and no way were any of the vintage rides going out.

 

[BoilerAnimal]

I accept that global warming is real because it's the consensus of the scientific community, give or take a couple of outliers, and because I trust people who are smarter than I am who have actually studied the issue and come to that conclusion ... people who have nothing to gain from drawing that conclusion, unlike people who have a financial stake in unlimited growth and things the way they are. It is the height of arrogance to deny facts just because they don't fit your opinion or your pocketbook, and I honestly can't take anyone seriously who thinks global warming is real because it's hot today or denies it because it's cold outside today. That's not how global phenomenons work. As Lew points out, there are many variables involved in this global phenomenon. The variables he mentions are at a solar-system scale and he's absolutely right about them, but one variable he didn't mention is the one within our control right here on Earth, and that's the composition of the atmosphere. It cannot be seriously denied that CO2 causes a greenhouse effect and the scientists say the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has dramatically increased over, say, the last 100 years. Certainly that does not prove that the CO2 is the sole cause of the global warming OR that mankind was the sole source of the CO2. OTOH, it seems pretty darned stupid to knowingly pumping more and more CO2 into the atmosphere in the midst of global warming, whether that CO2 is the sole cause of the warming or simply a minor contribution. Adding more CO2 is like putting fertilizer on the weeds in your garden; it can only make the problem worse. Moreover, while the temperature will undoubtedly average out over a LOOOOOONG period of time, that will be small comfort if the high temperatures make the Earth uninhabitable during the SHORRRRRRT lives of ourselves and our children and grandchildren. That's why the problem can't be ignored -- and why I support efforts to control CO2 emissions [although Chinese coal-burning power plants are such high emitters of CO2 that they should be the first ones to be controlled].

AMEN!!!!

One thing it seems far too few are aware of is the fact that China is leading the way in solar and wind energy technologies. The U.S. seems to be content to sit along side the road and watch the world pass us by.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

:gaah: If I ever get a chance to grab that Gore fella by the neck... :gaah::cus:

Yeah! We need to strangle him for inventing the Internet that lets all the foolishness get disseminated so widely, wildly, and quickly! :gaah:

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

-21 yesterday
last 2 wks below zero every night

It's been below zero here every night for I don't know long!! Oh, you mean zero F, not zero C. My goof!! :roflblack:

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

RE: Mosquitos--In our area (Anchorage), the mosquitos start coming out in May. We refer to them as B-52's. They are big and slow moving.

Right! I heard that one of them flew to Texas a few years ago and landed at an Air Force base. The crew pumped 500 gallons of fuel in her before they recognized it! :roflblack: :roflblack:

 

[Roadster Renovations]

I didn’t realise you were that old, Doc.......have you been riding a Spyder all that time ?

Pete

Good one! I FEEL that old some days!!

 

[Biscuit]

Global warming

I know it is colder in other parts of the country but leaving work Tuesday morning it was 18. Being I work in Atlanta that is cold. I sure do like the heated grips. Made the ride home bearable.

 

[gnorthern]

The temperature in a relatively small area of the planet for a few days is a sample. The average temperature of the planet over the year is a statistic. The planet is getting warmer.

I first studied global warming in 1973. Since then I have tried to live an energy efficient lifestyle, and our current house is certified energy efficient by the Oregon Energy Trust. But this last go around I decided I won't care until the majority of Americans start caring and bought 4wd SUV.

 

[gnorthern]

One thing it seems far too few are aware of is the fact that China is leading the way in solar and wind energy technologies. The U.S. seems to be content to sit along side the road and watch the world pass us by.

And decreasing it's use of coal.

 

[mark4Jesus]

I accept that global warming is real because it's the consensus of the scientific community, give or take a couple of outliers, and because I trust people who are smarter than I am who have actually studied the issue and come to that conclusion ...

About that: There was concensus among scientists in the 60's and 70's, when I was in school, that there was an ice age coming. Hasn't happened, now we are going the other way. There was concensus amoung scientists that Neanderthal man was part of the evolutionary chain leading to homo sapien, saw it in all my science books. About 10-15 years ago, they discovered that Neanderthal and homo sapien were contemporaries in the Middle East, Neanderthals died out and homo sapien continued.

Much of science is educated guesses about what did happen or what will happen. They are still guesses, many have proven wrong.

My un-educated guess is that any warming that has taken place is because of the radiant heat produced by all of the concrete and asphalt that has been poured in the last 50 years. March across a grass field, then across an asphalt road in Mississippi in August and you will see what I mean. I live in a rual area. The temps in the city range anywhere from 5-10 warmer. It's radiant heat.

 

[Bfromla]

:roflblack: :lecturef_smilie:Found after a similar conversation with a bud nojoke FYI the conversation was back in '15 about Louisiana snow , & how only gifted adults get to make snowmen here. But has been done :yes: retaining the knowledge till the nxt snow is the hard part. :shocked:

 

[Buckeye Bleau]

.. people who have nothing to gain from drawing that conclusion, unlike people who have a financial stake in unlimited growth and things the way they are.

I am am so pleased that you claim to stand on much higher ground, because you trust the "people that have nothing to gain". Mr. Gore certainly made no money from the books, speeches, carbon credit bank scam, and the "smarter" minions that he paid after counseling them to adopt and confirm his project I am sure made nothing from it.

Just because you only read and research one side of an issue does not make it fact.

there are plenty of real, respected and trusted researchers out there that have been bunking this "man made" global warming issue. Most of them admit that we did go through some periods of change in recent decades, but there was also during that same period an unusually high activity from the sun at the same time, meanwhile in the more recent decade we seem to be cooling off.

There is so much more, especially on this CO2 issue, but hey, it is a poison to us so we should limit it, but then we claim that we don't have enough trees and it is good for the trees.

Time will tell, but neither me, my kids nor theirs will be here for the demise, either way it goes.

Joe

 

[Buckeye Bleau]

"-- and why I support efforts to control CO2 emissions [although Chinese coal-burning power plants are such high emitters of CO2 that they should be the first ones to be controlled"

Now you did it, the Chinese. YOUR famous Paris Accords on climate change that was supposed to heavily tax the industrialized world for their sins against Mother Earth and pass it along to the undeveloped nations was another hoax. Of all the countries in the world China was listed as a developing nation and exempt from the "tax". Really, between China and India I am not sure that we can even scratch their performance. If you have not been there and seen it you should not talk about it, the media won't, but their pollution is outright blatant and without concern.

Joe

 

[Buckeye Chuck 54]

Yeah,right...

I have to laugh when I read this. Kill off the mosquitoes?
What are the 2 coldest states in the country?
Minnesota and Alaska.
Those 2 states grow mosquitoes as big as birds!
Chuck

Minus 9 here in Indiana this morning! Too cold to do my annual New Years' Ryde. :yikes::yikes::yikes::gaah::gaah::gaah: If this keeps up we will have to put heaters on our Spyders.:lecturef_smilie::lecturef_smilie::lecturef_smilie::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack: Been back in 1870...something since we were this low.opcorn:opcorn:opcorn:
At least this should kill off some mosquitoes for the summer....:clap::clap::clap:

 

[Buckeye Chuck 54]

45 above?

I'd love to see it that warm here in Ohio, I could get a few miles on my '14 RT-S.
It hasn't been 45 here in 3 weeks. 9 below this AM. But relief is coming, 11 for the high
tomorrow, but 38 coming Sunday! But rain, maybe the rain will wash some of the
salt and sand off the roads. They are so white with salt it looks like they have been painted!
Cars driving by make white dust. Not exactly Spyder weather.

In Alaska this AM: We have 45 degrees above zero. The Pineapple Express winds are blowing again. The snow is melting again. I have not used my snowblower this season yet.

Global warming is noticeable here. The glaciers are melting very fast--as in almost a mile a year now. The Northwest Passage is open in summer and getting earlier each year.

Eventually we may have a Spyderfest in January here. :roflblack::roflblack:

 

[Bob Denman]

Back to the mosquitoes for a moment...
My Son and I were headed to our deer camp in the Adirondacks for a long weekend of ATVing. We stopped in one of those Yuppie outdoorsy style stores; that sold overpriced stuff to the visiting urbanites...

...But they DID have a huge supply of Ben's 100 bug repellent.
(100% DEET: the GOOD stuff! :thumbup
Knowing that anything with more than 37% DEET wasn't legal for sale in this stupid State: I asked the owner why he had it out in the open.
Of course: I had five bottles of the stuff in my hand at the time!
His response:
"I lived in Alaska for ten years, and the goddamned mosquitoes in the Adirondacks are MUCH worse!"

So I picked up another bottle, and happily paid him!

Up here we measure them. One that's only two inches (between the eyeballs!), has a lot of growing left to do! :shocked:

 

[Road-Kill]

"General Consensus" does not exist!

This phrase "General Consensus" is complete BS when it comes to the global warming argument.
For that phrase to be legit there must be a list of every climate scientist and their opinion, there is not.
Adding insult to the man made climate change crowd I would like to add....YOU HAVE BEEN CAUGHT FABRICATING DATA!nojoke

I feel as stated previously BRP, CAN-AM and Harley Davidson manufacturing plants killed off the dinosaurs. :joke: