Vinny's Breaking News Blog » World News

Video: Russia Renews Arctic Patrols Eyes Resources (Al Jazeera Youtube)

Vinny — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:37:25 +0000

Russia is sending warships to patrol the Arctic for the first time since the break-up of the Soviet Union. Moscow claims it’s a security measure and not an aggressive move. But critics say it’s simply a flag waving excercise in Russia’s campaign to lay claim to the Arctic’s vast energy reserves. Richard Bestic reports. Source: AlJazeera Youtube

Strong Earthquake Magnitude 6.4 Rhodes, Greece 07/15/08

Vinny — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:20:30 +0000

Use this link for real-time earthquakes and earthquake news.
One person is dead after a strong earthquake struck near the Greek holiday island of Rhodes this morning. The earthquake was felt in Israel.

Earthquake Details from the USGS
Magnitude 6.4
Date-Time Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 03:26:36 UTC
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 06:26:36 AM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones

Location 35.983°N, 27.785°E
Depth 68.4 km (42.5 miles)
Region DODECANESE ISLANDS, GREECE
Distances 65 km (40 miles) SW of Rodos, Dodecanese Islands, Greece
145 km (90 miles) SSW of Mugla, Turkey
205 km (130 miles) S of Aydin, Turkey
425 km (265 miles) ESE of ATHENS, Greece

Video: Bronislaw Geremek Polish Solidarity Icon Dead, Dies Aged 76

Vinny — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:28:46 +0000

Poland’s Solidarity icon Geremek dies
(AFP)

Yahoo News

AFP - Bronislaw Geremek, an icon in the struggle against communist rule in Poland and founding member of the Solidarity trade union, died in a car accident Sunday, local police reported. He was 76.

Video: Mongolia Ulan Bator Protests, State of Emergency Declared (Al Jazeera Youtube)

Vinny — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:57:46 +0000

Today the President of Mongolia Nambariin Enkhbayar has declared a 4 day state of emergency, read more.

Anger strikes the Mongolian capital as thousands protest over parliamentary election results.

Al Jazeera’s Zena Awad reports on the demonstrators who have set fire to the ruling party headquarters and looted buildings. Source: AlJazeera Youtube

Video: Robert Mugabe at The African Union Summit 06/30/08

Vinny — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:42:23 +0000

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe is attending an African Union summit in Egypt today, there have been calls for African leaders to shun Mugabe.

For the latest news about Zimbabwe updated in real-time and more videos use this link.

Zimbabwe Latest News Real-Time Updates + Videos

Vinny — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:30:39 +0000

Below the videos is the latest news about Zimbabwe updated in real-time by rss news feeds.

Zimbabwe to introduce 100 bln dollar bank note (Reuters via Yahoo! News)

Zimbabwe's central bank will introduce new higher-value 100 billion Zimbabwe dollar notes on Monday as part of a desperate fight against spiraling hyperinflation, the bank said.

Zimbabwe introduces 100-billion-dollar note (AFP via Yahoo! News)

Zimbabwe, grappling with a record 2.2 million percent inflation, has introduced a new 100-billion-dollar bank note in a bid to tackle rampant cash shortages, the central bank said Saturday.

Kofi Annan: Zimbabwe shames Africa (UPI)

LONDON, July 19 (UPI) -- The political and economic situation in Zimbabwe "shamed Africa," former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said in an interview with a British newspaper.

South Africa's president to bring U.N. into Zimbabwe talks (Los Angeles Times)

Mbeki, under pressure from the opposition, says he'll also work with the African Union in the mediation effort. South African President Thabo Mbeki announced plans Friday to work closely with the United Nations and the African Union as he attempts to mediate a settlement in Zimbabwe.

Mbeki to work with U.N., AU on Zimbabwe mediation (USA Today)

South African President Thabo Mbeki announced plans Friday to work closely with the U.N. and the African Union as he attempts to mediate a settlement in Zimbabwe.

Mbeki agrees to work closer with UN, AU on Zimbabwe crisis (AFP via Yahoo! News)

South African President Thabo Mbeki, under pressure to expand his troubled mediation efforts, agreed Friday to work more closely with the African Union and UN to bring an end to the Zimbabwe crisis.

Zimbabwe to introduce 100 bln dollar bank note (Reuters via Yahoo! UK & Irela...

Zimbabwe's central bank will introduce new higher-value 100 billion Zimbabwe dollar notes on Monday as part of a desperate fight against spiralling hyperinflation, the bank said.

Zimbabwe crisis has weakened regional unity: Angola (Reuters via Yahoo! News)

Zimbabwe's crisis has weakened the unity of the southern African body SADC, Angola's foreign minister said on Friday, suggesting the region is divided over how to deal with President Robert Mugabe's disputed re-election.

Zimbabwe releases $100 billion note (Perth Now)

ZIMBABWE, grappling with record 2.2 million per cent inflation, has introduced a new 100-billion-dollar bank note in a bid to tackle rampant cash shortages.

Zimbabwe shames Africa: ex UN chief Annan (AFP via Yahoo! News)

Zimbabwe's current plight "shames most Africans", former UN chief Kofi Annan said in an interview published Friday, while voicing hope for a negotiated solution to the country's crisis.

Video: North Korea Destroys Nuclear Reactor Tower

Vinny — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 12:07:32 +0000

North Korea destroyed a reactor tower part of its nuclear weapons program Friday.

Video: Albinos Murdered in Tanzania (Al Jazeera Youtube)

Vinny — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:41:02 +0000

In the past 18 months, at least 25 Albinos, including children, have been mutilated and murdered in Tanzania.

Authorities say witch doctors appear to be linked to the killings.

Albinism is especially prevalent in Africa, where it is estimated to affect as many as one in a thousand people.
Source: AlJazeera Youtube

Typhoon Fengshen (Frank) Latest News Real-Time Updates

Vinny — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:38:19 +0000

Below the videos is the latest news about Typhoon Fengshen.

Pacquiao to visit typhoon victims in Iloilo, Negros (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

ILOILO CITY, Philippines -- Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will visit the cities of Iloilo and Bacolod on Thursday to fulfill his promise of extending assistance to victims of Typhoon "Frank" (international codename: Fengshen).

Estrada brings aid to ‘Frank’ victims in Negros Occidental (Philippine Daily ...

CEBU CITY, Philippines -- Ousted president Joseph Estrada on Friday delivered assistance to 3,300 victims of typhoon "Frank" (international codename: Fengshen) in Northern Negros Occidental.

Pacquiao storms Iloilo; folk in rapture (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

ILOILO CITY—There’s nothing like the “Idol” to make one forget one’s woes. The brief visit Thursday of Filipino boxing champion Manny Pacquiao allowed thousands of flood-ravaged folk time out from the effects of the knockout punch dealt by Typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen).

(UPDATE 4) Sulpicio, ferry survivors face House probe (Philippine Daily Inqui...

MANILA, Philippines -- Now it was the turn of officials of the Sulpicio Lines Inc. to be grilled by lawmakers at the House of Representatives over the sinking of one of its ferries last month at the height of typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen).

China braces for weakening Kalmaegi by Steph Ball (BBC News)

Typhoon Kalmaegi lashed Taiwan overnight and is now over open waters heading towards China.

BMI ends ferry probe, deliberations on evidence set (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines -- Thirteen days and 28 witnesses after, the Board of Marine Inquiry (BMI) has concluded its investigation into the sinking of a ferry off Sibuyan Island last month during typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen).

Sulpicio, ferry survivors to face House probe (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines -- Two survivors of the ill-fated MV Princess of the Stars that sank off Sibuyan Island in Romblon last month during typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen) are expected to appear at the resumption of the House of Representatives’ investigation this Thursday.

P3M spent on aid for flood victims (Sun Star)

KORONADAL CITY -- The regional office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said almost P3 million were spent for relief operations for the victims of typhoon in Central Mindanao in the past few weeks.

2 cops to face raps for extorting fellow cop (Sun Star)

TWO police officers are facing charges after asking money from a fellow police officer in exchange of the latter's gun that was carried away by the flood when Typhoon Frank (international codename: Fengshen) hit Iloilo.

‘Helen’ gains strength; storm signals raised (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines—With thousands of families still recovering from the ravages of Typhoon “Frank” (international codename: Fengshen), the weather bureau Tuesday raised major storm signals over the northernmost provinces of Luzon as Tropical Storm “Helen” (Kalmaegi) slightly intensified over the Philippine Sea.

Video: Typhoon Fengshen Ferry, Princess of the Stars Search For Survivers (AlJazeera Youtube)

Vinny — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 11:52:39 +0000

For real-time news updates about Typhoon Fengshen use this link.

Just a few survivors of a ferry disaster in the Philippines have made their way to shore.

The “Princess of the Stars” sank in heavy seas caused by Typhoon Fengshen.

Al Jazeera’s Paul Allen reports Source: Aljazeera Youtube

Wildfire Latest News, US and Worldwide Fire Reports Real-Time

Vinny — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:33:36 +0000

Below is the latest wildfire news from around the world updated in real-time by RSS news feeds.

Video: Typhoon Fengshen Philippines Many Dead + Ferry Capsizes

Vinny — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 11:05:32 +0000

Use this link for real-time updates about Typhoon Fenshen.

Typhoon Fengshen battered the Philippines Sunday for a second day, at least 80 people have been killed.
A ferry with more than 740 passengers and crew has capsized.

Global Warming, Climate Change Latest News Real-Time Updates

Vinny — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 12:06:02 +0000

Below is the latest climate change news updated in real-time by RSS feeds.

More news below the book reviews from Amazon:

Climate Confusion: How Global Warming Hysteria Leads to Bad Science, Panderin...

Amazon Price: $14.93
Customer Reviews:
» It troubles me that fellow educators will only smile condescendingly at your invitation to have them watch a video, show them what you're reading. Especially say science teachers. In my own field, if someone handed me a book that might challenge some grand notion, or present some new idea ...I would feel some obligation (if I haven't read much from that position already) to become acquainted with what the other views or new idea is saying. What has become of education that no longer obligates itself so? How can we be so disinterested in our own areas of study? The free exchange of ideas stops with prejudice and ego, and so does arriving at a balance of knowing truth.

This is an excellent book that should get into as many hands as possible. I've seen the video, "The Great Global Warming Swindle" and Spencer's book brings a balance to what scientists are saying in that video as well. Intriguing to say the least to come to a better layman's understanding of the complex intricacies of what makes weather, how the earth like a living system compensates. The statistic alone of man adding one molecule of CO2 to every 100,000 molecules of air every five years...plus the complexities of a full understanding of climatology sure puts it clear to see how this has become a faith issue, with a religious fervor...that is very agenda driven, and for something other than truth! Considering politicians are deciding where YOUR tax dollars and future is heading under the guise of the Global Warming mantra, I highly recommend this book!!!

» Easy to read and understand terms about climatology and economics (with a twist of humor.) I learned more about these subjects in this short book than I did in college. I would recommend this book to anyone who desires to know how the climate really works and how global warming hysteria policies are causing more damage to humanity than so-called global warming is.

» I cannot recommend this book more highly. It is well written, as entertaining as may be considering it is a serious work, highly informative, and finally, quite persuasive. The objects of that persuasion are primarily twofold.

First, Spencer does not argue that anthropogenic global warming is not currently occurring, but rather that climatologic science can not at its current stage of development support any of the global warming alarmists' projections. The analysis here is quite clear and readily accessible to the non scientist. This scientific uncertainty being the case, the current alarmism and policy prescriptions represent a misallocation of creative and fiscal resources to pseudo problems while real problems go unaddressed or even undetected.

Second, the author argues that even if the problem of anthropogenic global warming is real, currently proposed solutions (like Kyoto) either do nothing, or by fettering the potential of the free market and its attendant creativity make matters worse. Put another way, since it is likely that the advanced industrial nations which currently pour billions of public and private money into alternative energy research are going to be the ones to find and perfect alternatives, policies which slow those economies will extend the time it takes to fully develop non-carbon based energy options.

Finally, I would point out that I usually read the negative reviews of books in order to possibly glean points of view that merit consideration. It is not appropriate in a review to refute other reviews, though with the negatives for this book it could easily be done on a point by point basis. Let me simply say that the negative reviews should dissuade one neither from reading the book, nor giving serious weight to it's content.

» Roy Spencer clearly explains science, its scientific methodology, and its limitations. He also clearly explains "the science" vis-a-vis "global warming" and "climate change". Then, he clearly explains the economics, the politics, the biases, and the religion. Finally, he proposes a prescription.

» Spencer's book clearly highlights what is known and what is not in climate science. This is the real problem when we try to understand media climate news. Roy Spencer gives us a guide very useful to find the right way avoiding the dangers of consensus science hysteria.

The Deniers: The World Renowned Scientists Who Stood Up Against Global Warmin...

Amazon Price: $18.45
Customer Reviews:
» The Deniers is an excellent and invaluable book, showing readers the other side of the global warming debate. Without editorializing, author Lawrence Solomon, a journalist and environmentalist, presents the views of many prestigious scientists who do not believe global warming is the dire threat to civilization we have been pressured to believe. I don't like the title much; many of the dissenting scientists are not actually deniers that C02 influences climate- many of them simply believe that other factors are equally or more important. But this is a quibble- please read the book. It is a much-needed counterpoint to the daily propaganda given to us by the mass media. It's not the final word, but it's an important point of view.

» I should preface my review by saying that at one time in my life, I wholeheartedly believed in the science of global warming -- as caused by man-made influences -- hook, line and sinker, dating back to my senior year in high school. However, Lawrence Solomon's book has opened my eyes to the fact that so much more science needs to be done on the subject, and that Gestapo-style tactics to undermine global warming "deniers" only prohibit the attainment of real facts. One thing is for sure, I now view Al Gore's movie and book, "An Inconvenient Truth," to be an utterly unscientific joke that has shammed millions of people and inexplicably earned the former vice president countless accolades that he does not deserve.

That said, I expected Solomon's book to be a relentlessly harsh diatribe on the pro-environment movement in the vain of conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh and the like, one that condescendingly embarrassed scientists and citizens who felt human doings here on Earth were steadily making the planet hotter. That wasn't the case at all, though. Although written for laymen like me, Solomon's book relies heavily on actual science about global warming by highly respected -- though sadly spurned -- scientists. So if you aren't up for reading about the seriously studied, potential causes of global warming as it relates to non-human entities, then don't even touch this book. Obviously the mainstream press and Al Gore opted for a shortcut to science by taking this route. But if you really want to get to the heart of the issue, I highly recommend "The Deniers." Here is just a sampling of why global warming is far from "settled science":

- The models used by the influential Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to predict future weather are crude at best, and fail miserably to factor in such crucial elements as cloud cover, the ocean and the sun's solar energy.

- The Earth goes through natural and major climate changes all on its own, irregardless of how humans behave. It's believed by many scientists that, though temperatures have risen slightly into the start of the 21st century, a cooling period will begin as early as 2010.

- The idea that warmer weather causes more hurricanes -- and more violent hurricanes -- is completely unproven. The temperatures of the ocean fluctuates, as does its propensity to either absorb or release major amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

- Carbon dioxide does not linger in the upper regions of the atmosphere for as long as 50-200 years, as the global warming hype machine would lead the public to believe. Numerous studies indicate the number is closer to two to six years.

- Mosquito-born diseases are not caused or increased by an Earth that is steadily warming -- they're caused by poor economic conditions, chaotic governments and lack of resources to fight them.

The tact and style of this book are extremely evenhanded throughout. A working environmentalist himself, Solomon admits at the end of the book that he is not TOTALLY convinced by the global warming deniers, mainly because the deniers have disagreements among themselves. But that is the gist of Solomon's point: The science of studying the atmosphere is a severely messy, complicated business, not a two-hour movie that has all the answers.

Through Solomon's book, I've come to understand that the money used to fund global warming research, though extremely important, might be better directed toward ending world hunger, deforestation, disease and famine. Tackling those huge issues, in fact, as well as ending large subsidies for energy companies, would go a long way toward helping the environment and the economy.

Along those lines, I was also amazed to learn how the Kyoto Treaty has done more harm than good. It may be chic, for instance, for celebrities like Pearl Jam to purchase huge tracts of land and plant trees as a "carbon offset" for the jets the band flies in, but all that does is displace millions of people and perpetuate the "carbon into currency" practice that so many Brazilians are against, including its citizens, churches, NGOs, trade unions and the World Rainforest Movement itself.

In sum, if you're already recycling, reusing, conserving and doing your best not to pollute, good for you and keep it up. But in my newfound opinion, based on the science I read about in Solomon's book, the actions of humans play an infinitesimal part in the weather you view outside your window, and the science on global warming is hardly definitive as of right now. When thinking about the global warming issue, remember that lone and dissenting voices amid media hype are often looked back upon in later years as the most reasonable.

» Lawrence Solomon is a columnist with the National Post of Toronto, author of other books, environmentalist and activist. In the latter role Solomon strives to save the world's rain forests and prevent nuclear power expansion. He works for an environmental group called Energy Probe. Despite these credentials, he has written an unusually accurate work about climate change.

The term "deniers" was coined by Al Gore et al. to discredit dissenters from his view on climate catastrophe, trying to place them in the same category as Holocaust deniers. Other forms of slander and intimidation are exposed by Solomon. The book was inspired by a bet by a climate "warmer" or alarmist that he could name three areas of climate science that were settled. Solomon showed that a credible dissenting scientist could be found to refute each one.

So one area of climate after another was discussed along with the findings of one or more experts in that area. The CVs of the experts showed that they were usually more qualified than than the alarmists making the doomsday claims. These CVs were in boxes, of which there were 29, nearly all on professors who were also authors of peer-reviewed papers or books as well as winners of scientific prizes. Several are or were members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) whose reports are normally revered as gospel by climate alarmists, but exposed as misleading or worse by some of these very reviewers, and also by entire books, such as Shattered Consensus, Prof. Patrick J. Michaels, Ed., 2005.

Examples are given of punishment of deniers, no matter how good their science was, just for disagreeing and thus threatening the alarmists. Loss of research funding, dismissal from expert panels, loss of office or status in scientific bodies as well as character assassination are all revealed.

Based on expert opinion, Solomon shows evidence that: (1) The 1990s were not the warmest decade in 1000 years, the period from 1100-1440 being warmer; and the evidence that the 1930s were warmer than the 1990s was given for the Arctic region, utterly uncorrelated with industrial CO2 emissions. (2) Storms are not more frequent or more violent in the last 20 years, but were probably most so in the 1940s in the last 110 years. (3) The Antarctic peninsula (2% of the area of the continent) has lost ice, but the rest of Antarctica is cooler since 1957 and has gained ice. (4) Global warming of about 0.5°C in the 20th century followed equal warming in each of the previous three centuries, an utter disconnect with the claimed CO2 levels in the air, which are not correlated with warming -- the central dogma of climate alarmism. (5) Unusual even for climate realists, Solomon noted that CO2 levels were higher than now in pre-industrial times (p91), and mentioned Ernst-Georg Beck's 2007 review of 90,000 direct chemical assays, but without the solid findings that those levels were over 420 ppm in 1823 and 1942, and the same as now in 1858. (6) Solomon showed that the ice core data for CO2 levels used by warmers was hopelessly unreliable. (7) Climate modeling was shown to be badly flawed mostly because it does not model cloud behavior. (8) Several solar effects were shown to account for the warmings and coolings of the last 400 years. These include changes in the output of the sun, changes in the distance of the earth from the sun, and changes in the sun's ability to deflect cosmic rays from the earth. More cosmic rays, more clouds, and lower temperatures, as in the Little Ice Age of 1600-1800. There were other angles as well.

On the other hand, Al Gore is taken to task for misinformation on temperatures, CO2 levels, storm frequency and severity, warming as a spreader of infectious disease, and misinterpreting the positions of his Harvard Professor, Roger Revelle, are all there. An article in Cosmos in 1991 by Revelle and Prof. S. Fred Singer (Meteorologist, University of Virginia): "What To Do About Greenhouse Warming: Look Before You Leap" was seen by Gore as a threat to his intransigent climate positions. Gore tried to show that Revelle had become senile. Through another Harvard scientist, Justin Lancaster, Gore tried to have Revelle's name removed from a proposed reprinting of the article, and accused Singer of using Revelle's name over Revelle's objections.Singer sued Lancaster, and with overwhelming evidence, won. "Quite recently, Lancaster retracted his retraction, cl...

Earth: The Sequel: The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming

Amazon Price: $16.47
Customer Reviews:
» The shear volume of emerging technologies described in this book is astounding and inspiring. It quickly becomes apparent that there are no more excuses for continuing our business-as-usual fossil fuel economy. There are so many clean energy solutions right on the brink of success. All they need are the right incentives and investments. A strong and compelling argument is made for a carbon cap-and-trade system, which would go a long way in helping to achieve a meaningful reduction in greenhouse gases and the migration to a clean (and cheaper) energy future. This needs to happen now and it should be the first priority of the new administration. I highly recommend this book.

»

Earth: The Sequel The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming by Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund, and Miriam Horn, is a good place to acquaint yourself with many of the alternative energy technologies currently under development. The style is easy to read and Krupp and Horn do a good job of explaining the complexities of a given technology in simple, easy-to-understand language. The focus is on future technologies that, in many cases, are still not proven, i.e. biofuels from algae, carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).

The book's one notable flaw is that there is virtually no discussion of wind technology. In one sense this may be good news given Krupp's enthusiasm for new technology. Perhaps he regards wind as too simple and well established to merit detailed discussion in a book dedicated to complicated technical solutions to the problems posed by fossil fuels. Nonetheless, it's a curious omission.

The authors describe in detail a number of ongoing alternative-energy projects and the scientist-entrepreneurs who are developing them. Attention is paid to the challenges faced by these entrepreneurs in technology development, permitting and arranging the financing that they need to make their projects a reality.

At the end of the book, the authors discuss the policy changes they believe it will be necessary to implement if these projects are to succeed, chief of which is the enactment of some form of cap and trade program. They also briefly revisit some of the options already discussed, this time with a more critical eye, (I suspect the last chapters were written quite a bit later than the first ones) particularly as regards ethanol and hydrogen, both of which can now be clearly seen to have been way overhyped.

» Most books on Global Warming are depressing - not "Earth: The Sequel." Krupp's summary of actual projects underway to reduce global warming brings a welcome sense of positivism and excitement to the topic.

He believes that a transformation of the world economy is on the horizon that will generate the great fortunes of the 21st century while securing the world against the dangers of global warming. The "bad news" is that the federal government devotes only $1 billion/year for R&D on renewable energy, less than ExxonMobil earns/day, and the $6 billion/year that oil and gas industries receive in government benefits. On top of this are large ethanol subsidies and mandated usage.

Krupp's positive examples begin with solar power - nanotech, printable films, and layered films that capture varying light wavelengths, combined with low-cost production in China and Mexico and rising energy prices make solar power a strong candidate for alternative energy production. Krupp also points out that solar-power costs should be compared with peak power costs, not lower average power costs, as well as added costs of removing CO2 from coal-fired plants. On the other hand, transmission lines required cost about $1 million/mile, and are further handicapped by being used only half the day. The book then goes on to cover thermal solar - its advantage is the ability to store heat for evening use.

Krupp's coverage of biofuels is particularly enlightening. Switchgrass, a cutting-edge energy crop, converts 0.3% solar energy vs. Spectrolab's 42% for PV cells. Such crops also require enormous water, plus nutrients, and labor for harvesting, processing. Production also requires considerable input power and creates pressure to level rain-forests to provide growing fields. Twenty-five gallons of corn ethanol requires the same grain as would feed a person for a year, and only produces 25% more energy than put into its creation. Another problem is it can't be transported in pipelines because it absorbs water within them.

Alternatively, sugar is converted to ethanol in Brazil at a cost of .60/gallon, getting 8 BTUs back for every BTU put in; corn is only 1.3:1. Cellulose is 36:1, though still being scaled up - not an easy task.

Another exciting experiment is growing algae with the CO2 emitted from power-plant exhaust while also removing nitrogen from waste water used as coolant. Dried algae has as many BTUs as coal on a weight basis.

Other possibilities include wave, tidal, river current, nuclear, and geothermal power. Surprisingly, electric-powered vehicles charged from coal-fired plants would also reduce pollution - about 25%.

Bottom Line: "Earth: The Sequel" is an exciting and enlightening book.

» This book reviews the various technologies available to reduce the effects of Global Warming. While dealt in an evenhanded and balanced manner the bottom line for most of these technologies is to be subsidized by government or industry.

I, for one, don't see why these technologies should not stand on their own merits without subsidies. Look at what the government has done with ethanol (covered in the book) and you'll understand why.

» Earth: The Sequel: The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming I purchased the audio version of this book and listened to it driving to and from work. For someone interested in hearing about cutting edge research into new sources of energy, this book was written for you. It was packed full of stories about amazing research projects and the brilliant and often wacky people heading up the projects. The stories were highly entertaining, and the tech talk was in-depth enough to make one feel like an insider without going over the head of anyone who enjoys reading science articles in newspapers or popular magazines. I plan to buy several more copies as gifts for friends.

The Long Emergency: Surviving the End of Oil, Climate Change, and Other Conve...

Amazon Price: $11.20
Customer Reviews:
» Whew boy! After catching Kunstler on the radio, I bought his book, and read it with great fascination and mounting alarm. As a scenario for disaster, this book should please fans of fiction writers like J.G. Ballard. Only it is not fiction - Kunstler predicts the coming collapse of all human civilization, and he provides dark, witty descriptions of how this will come to pass. He makes a strong, compelling case, and I found myself fervently hoping that he is completely wrong. But we ignore this kind of prediction at great peril. For too long people have complacently accepted the status quo without looking to the future, and the leaders of American business and government are among the greatest offenders.

Kunstler sees a coming collapse and severe contraction of the world economy. When the cheap oil begins to run out, our severely overpopulated world and its global consumer economy will begun to fall apart. Violence, disease, and much lower standards of living are coming to the world's strongest countries, and the developing world will never develop. We will all be taking giant steps backward, and there is no cure, no new technology that will bail us out. Already (in 2008), much of what Kunstler predicts here appears to be taking shape.

As a polemicist and writer, Kunstler is very impressive. He is a good phrasemaker and possesses a sharp, dry wit. However, he is not a first-rate scholar. There are hardly any footnotes and references, and no bibliography. He makes broad predictions without referring to anything that buttresses his views, no political or sociological or scientific or historical studies of any kind. He dismisses all alternative energy technologies, yet he is not a specialist in this area. He offers little in the way of solutions, and instead sketches out a series of inevitable disasters that lurk in the near future. He also presents a brief history of the USA in relation to oil consumption that can no doubt stimulate some discussion. He basically sees the rise of the USA, improvements in world agriculture, and all the technological advances of recent decades as being completely dependent on cheap oil.

It is important to remember that this is a man who dislikes contemporary American civilization and may, in fact, look forward with relish to its collapse. His region by region description of the USA lurching painfully backward towards the 1800s would be amusing if it were not so disturbing. He may be right that American suburbia is the greatest misallocation of resources in history, but his blatant hatred of it may also color his views a little. He certainly possesses the biases of many liberals of his generation, such as viewing the American Southeast as a land of ignorance and stupidity, despising big box stores, and disliking big business in general - but that does not automatically mean he is wrong.

I would recommend this book, but I would also recommend reading it critically and taking into account the views of other writers on the subject. It is now unquestionable that action needs to be taken on his central issue - the dependence of American civilization on imported oil. Personally, I look forward to exploring more of Kunstler's works. His views are pretty extreme, but they make for very interesting reading, and his sharp, cogent writing makes them easier to digest.

» Having read the book in 2008, and knowing that Mr. Kunstler wrote it 4 years earlier, the writer is very astute in correctly forecasting the sub-prime/debt crises and the oil price increases.

He does a credible job of explaining why oil may not be there for all time. Unfortunately, his treatment of the alternative fuel and new technologies is rather brief and he seems to dismiss any solution, as it would interfere with his relished doomsday scenario.

Kunstler brings up valid points, but his suggested outcome (a return to a version of an 18th century rural lifestyle) is rather far fetched and does not do justice to mankind's creativity and tenacity in addressing the real energy challenges we are faced with.

» The book was interesting and informative. There were a lot of facts, ideas and concepts brought up that made it very worthwhile to read.

As would be expected, there were a few points where I disagreed with the author, but that is to be expected in any controversial book.

I highly recommend it.

Jerry Minchey

» I first read "The Long Emergency" by taking it out from the library. Then I decided I wanted my own copy so I could make high-lighted sections and annotations. Then I ordered an additional, used, copy so I can send it around to my family and friends without giving up my original copy. James Howard Kunstler gained credibility with me from the fact that I am living through the very conditions predicted when the book was published in 2005, such as so long to cheap gasoline and heating fuel.

» This book was both an education and an affirmation of suspicions and doubts
I've long held. Well written and compelling. Mr. Kunstler paints a detailed
picture of a broad, multifaceted landscape. He holds up a mirror to our follies and greed. It is a clarion call to change. The section on the evolution of modern economics was especially enlightening. This is a book you will want to share with friends you care about.

Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalist's Guide to Global Warming

Amazon Price: $14.28
Customer Reviews:
» This book seemed reasonable until I started investigating what climate scientists think. For a more informed opinion, see Hell and High Water: Global Warming--the Solution and the Politics--and What We Should Do. Also, read Joseph Romm at ClimateProgress web site and for some real meat go to RealClimate web site. You can look up the actual web site addresses in Google.

» The author believes in Man-caused Global Warming. However, rather than reflectively go along with the majority of that group, he demonstrates that their course of action will do little to stem the warming.

He concludes that the better approach is to use the same (or less) amount of money to help people in the developing world. The overall increase in human welfare will then allow the people to adapt to the warmer world.

» This book is very well thought out and documented. I totally enjoyed it...especially the fact that global warming will actually result in a net saving of lives rather than loss.

Also, I enjoyed the practical economic solutions such as not encouraging building near the seashore. Time to stop state and federal government flood (& wind) subsidies for expensive beach homes.

» I enjoyed this book so much I have ordered a number of copies to give friends and family. This guy truly cares about our world. Thankfully he is smart enough to take an honest, measured and very insightful look at the bigger picture of how we can help, rather than relying on misguided rhetoric. He is brave enough to tell the truth that our energies and money should be poured into initiatives that will have a positive effect that almost completely dwarfs the miniscule effect that CO2 focused policies can hope to achieve. I find his writing style eloquent, convincing and easy to read. He layers his arguments in a way that make a great deal of sense. I highly recommend this book.

» "Cool It" by Bjorn Lomborg

After reading this book, I am persuaded that global warming "is not an immediate planetary emergency that will bring down civilization" (p. 148).

Lomborg is not a climatic alarmist, but neither is he a "climate change denier". He accepts the findings of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that humanity has caused a substantial rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, thereby contributing to global warming. But he rejects some extremist political motivations drawn from the IPCC reports.

Using a benefit/cost approach, Lomborg argues convincingly that limiting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as agreed by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, is a poor bargain, whose global costs of $180 billion annually (0.5% of global GDP) would far exceed its net benefits. That is the main reason why the USA and Australia didn't ratify the treaty, and most signatories are quite unlikely to meet their Kyoto targets.

If one thinks of GHGs as pollutants, it would be reasonable to impelement a modest "carbon tax" of $2 per ton, but anything more would risk adverse economic effects. The quest for a cheap way to reduce GHGs could be and should be pursued by research and development.

However cutting GHG emissions is not the only way to modify the climate. One other idea, of several, is to increase the reflectivity of low-lying clouds by creating more salt droplets from the ocean. It is estimated that this could stabilize temperatures for two percent of the cost of Kyoto. See the "Spiked" online article "Every silver lining has a cloud" for more about this and other alternatives.

If nothing were done to reduce global warming, many of its undesirable effects could be mitigated individually for a far lower cost than Kyoto. And one should remember that global warming also has many beneficial effects.

Lomborg organized the "Copenhagen Consensus", a group of economists who prioritized a number of global initiatives based on their benefit/cost ratios. On a global basis, the best bargains included control of HIV/AIDS, micronutrients to reduce malnutrition, trade liberalization, control of malaria, new agricultural methods and various improvements to water supply and sanitation. Climate control itself was given the lowest priority.

I highly recommend that all serious politicians and concerned citizens read this book.

The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming (and Environmentalism)

Amazon Price: $13.57
Customer Reviews:
» Let's see, should we believe the 95% of climate scientists and the IPCC reports on global warming? Or should we believe a man who works for the "Competitive Enterprise Institute", a conservative think tank funded by oil companies like Amoco and Texaco?

Wake up people--global warming naysayers paid by oil companies are hardly credible sources of information.

If thousands of astronomers from around the world said that an asteroid would hit Earth in 30 years, would you believe them? Or would you believe a handful of pseudo-astronomers (paid for by special interests) who claim otherwise?

» This is a shrill and near-libelous diatribe against greens, environmentalists, the media in general, and Al Gore in particular.
Its only redeeming feature is the last two chapters that actually give some reasoned information about why the Kyoto Protocol might be counterproductive.

If you can get that far without going postal, I salute you. These two chapters are the only reason I give this book two stars instead of one.

Charles Madden

» Finest book published on the subject and a must read for anyone voteing this November!!!!!!

» Christopher C. Horner begins his polemical "The PIG to Global Warming" by letting the screeching cat out of the bag: "Green is the new Red." The full cast of environmentalists, UN leaders, heads of industry, think tanks, and a certain American past presidential candidate-cum-pantheist guru are now today performing what the Soviet Comintern failed to accomplish back in the 20th century. Looking at how Al Gore currently strengthens his spiritual `oneness' with Creation (his annual electricity use in Nashville rose 10% in 2008, source: The Daily Telegraph) and works to reduce his `carbon footprint' while simultaneously jetting around the world on carbon-belching planes, I think skepticism is a healthy first-step before one blindly accepts Mr. Gore's often fabled `truths.' You certainly will not get skepticism and critical thinking from the likes of CNN, MSNBC for FAUX (Fox) News.

The mainstream media shy away from accurately portraying the global warming issue, instead opting for alarmism, the parroting of falsehoods and outright lies, and the sucking up to powerful elites like Al Gore. This book is a welcomed relief, a near 300-page work of logical reasoning, sound scientific methodology, and careful political analysis. Horner documents environmentalism's ties with communism (Mikhail Gorbachev is a major player in the UN and `climate change' movement), the science behind global warming, the real profits and political ambitions that lie beneath the surface, and the destructive costs of global warming policies to the American consumer and economy.

"Green" environmental movements suspiciously coincide with the political elites' plans for global government. According to Paul Johnson's April 23, 2007, article in Forbes, "The Menace of the Lobby," the number of "Greens" in Great Britain may well be in the millions. What exactly are their plans? For one, the denial of man-made climate change, according to environmental activists, would be considered a criminal offense on the scale of denying the Holocaust. Another sought-after goal is the subjecting of financial penalties on any particular activity that cause an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. These environmentalists all have the blessing of the Royal Society, Britain's most influential and prestigious scientific institution. Will these policies set sail for American soon? With "Sustainable Development," a UN/US program for governmental control over land, water, housing, and food, progressing without opposition in the United States, they may well already be here.

Al Gore receives his own chapter in this latest edition of the "PIG" series. Although Mr. Horner decimates the shoddy arguments, half-truths, and outright falsities of "An Inconvenient Truth," the author largely ignores the fact that Gore's crusade shelters deep spiritual and religious zeal conveniently wrapped inside the name of science. Gore's first book, "Earth in the Balance," gives headway to the idea that Gore's message is intensely religious. His earth-centered spirituality calls for "saving the planet" to be the "central organizing principle" of government. "[A] panreligious perspective may prove especially important where our global civilization's responsibility for the earth is concerned.... Native American religions, for instance, offer a rich tapestry of ideas about our relationship to the earth....'All things are connected like the blood that unites us all.'" ("Earth in the Balance, pg. 259) Al Gore's pantheism is a perfect accomplice to the UN agenda of creating a universal spiritual outlook.

The next time you fill up your gas tank in order to make the commute to the job that pays for that fuel and puts food on the table, remember that it was Al Gore and your member of Congress who refused to allow drilling in ANWR and offshore locations near Florida and California. It was not Greenpeace or any other environmental group. This inaction led to the energy catastrophe now hitting America (and expected to get worse). "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Global Warming and Environmentalism" factually documents the powerful forces behind this movement, who desire a one-world government, increasingly large energy costs, "carbon taxes" and dastardly cap-and-trade systems, all in the name of "protecting the environment." However, a proper response cannot be issued without educating yourself (by reading this book) and educating your elected representatives and senators. If they are voting for the devastating consequences described in this book, vote the bums out and elect new members who will represent the American people. Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence that when government pursues destructive ends without the consent of the governed, it is the people's RIGHT (not option, but RIGHT) to alter and abolish it, and to institute new government. Be thinking of those words when you go to the ballot box this November.

» The consequences of doing nothing and the concern for the environment being right begin where the consequences of doing something and the concern being overblown end.

Unstoppable Global Warming: Every 1,500 Years, Updated and Expanded Edition

Amazon Price: $13.57
Customer Reviews:
» In this book, Avery and Singer argue that Al Gore's theory that the Earth is headed for catastrophic climate change due to increased CO2 production is a lot of hot air. They argue that the relatively mild global warming which we have experienced thus far is due to a long-established 1,500 cycle, in which the Earth naturally heats up and cools down, with no assistance from us.

I do not know if Avery and Singer are correct. I am not an expert in this field, and I have not yet read any of the serious guys on the other side. The only book on the other side which I have read is Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth.

Singer and Avery wipe the floor with Al. Al's book is dreadful. It is filled with emotion and moralism. It has very little text, but lots of pictures. It has no footnotes. From any serious scientific perspective, Al's book is a joke. Al's theory may be correct, but Al's book is a rock video between book covers, not a scientific argument.

Singer and Avery's book is everything that Al's book is not. It is tightly argued. It is packed with facts. Everything in it is footnoted, and the footnotes largely take you to peer-reviewed scientific articles. You can agree or disagree with the book, but you have to take it seriously as science.

I am going to read more on the subject. My feeling, thus far, is that unless someone on Al's side makes a really serious effort to refute Singer and Avery, the contest goes to the global warming skeptics, more or less by default. Gore is an emotional non-scientist. These guys are professionals, and they take Al apart, bit by bit.

» I'm an alum of the University of Virginia (home of Prof. Fred Singer) and I'm ashamed to say that this man is a conservative whose "distinguished" career includes arguing against the link between CFCs and the ozone hole, the link between second hand smoke and cancer, and now the link between CO2 and global warming.

In 1960 he argued that Phobos was an artificial moon because it was hollow (of course not true, and Phobos is not hollow).

He's published no peer reviewed papers on climate change and is merely representing the oil industry with his bogus science.

Wake up people--don't believe bogus science funded by the oil industry. Believe the thousands of climatologists who have studied this problem and contributed to the IPCC report.

A 2007 Newsweek cover story on climate change denial reported that: "In April 1998 a dozen people from the denial machine -- including the Marshall Institute, Fred Singer's group and Exxon -- met at the American Petroleum Institute's Washington headquarters. They proposed a $5 million campaign, according to a leaked eight-page memo, to convince the public that the science of global warming is riddled with controversy and uncertainty." The plan was reportedly aimed at "raising questions about and undercutting the 'prevailing scientific wisdom'" on climate change. According to Newsweek, the plan was leaked to the press and therefore was never implemented.

» The Solar Fraud: Why Solar Energy Won't Run the World, Second EditionA Primer on CO2 and Climate, 2nd Edition

Asking good questions often results in good answers. The authors, without pre-conceived answers, review the history of Earth's climate, challenge the modes of predicting future climates, attack the claims of immanent disasters, and then examine responses.

» Well written, well organized, very readable and full of truth! Everyone should read this book before deciding whether they want to get on Al Gore's Global Warming Alarmist Bandwagon, or take a view that is more educated, rational, and thought-out. I would like to see this book presented in classrooms alongside showings of "An Inconvenient Truth" (or other Alarmist-type films/programs) so that students are given the opportunity to see both sides and develop their own fully-educated opinions, rather than having fear-inducing, liberalist environmental/ political ideas shoved down their throats as if it is fact.
One thing missing from this book was attention to the polar bear plight that we so often hear of. I would have liked to have known what the authors had to say about that, as well as what they think the long-term climatic impact is of massive deforestation in a short period of time, such as is occurring in the Amazon rainforest.

» This book persuasively argues that:
* Global warming is a fact.
* Global warming is largely driven by natural phenomena. (i.e. is not heavily driven by human industry.)

This book is also structured well to make it ease to use as a reference. A few facts that you will learn from reading this book are:

* The case for that global warming is largely driven by solar activity and global warming occurs in natural cycles.
* How the CO2 explanation for global warming fails to explain the Roman Warming Period, the Dark Ages Cooling, the Medieval Warming and the Little Ice Age.
* How CO2 appears to be more of an effect of global warming rather than a cause.
* Various ways how historic temperatures can be monitored, including seabed sentiment cores, cave stalagmites, fossilized pollen, human migratory patterns, tree rings and ice cores.
* How the Earth's lower atmosphere as well as the south pole have cooled over the years.
* Scientific publications supporting the solar-driven global warming hypothesis.

This book also goes into extensive detail refuting many alleged dangers of global warming, such as that it will destroy ecosystems or that it will lead to many human deaths.

My main complaint about this book is the tone. The authors often address claims with snide remarks such as "Reality-based skeptics say...". Although it is fun to mock global warming hysterics, some of the claims they refute are seemingly plausible to an informed audience and are unworthy of an automatic derisive response in my opinion. In my perception, using sarcasm in such a fashion connotes more of an emotional and partisan response and detracts from the scientific objectivity that all researchers should encourage.

Nevertheless, this book is a serious and very informative read on an important topic.

Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change

Amazon Price: $11.16
Customer Reviews:
» This is another famous book on global warming. It is not as lightweight as Al Gore's book, which is basically a rock video put down on paper. This book is a series of stories and vigenttes. It certainly reads easily. Kolbert is a talented writer, and has produced a very easy to read book.

But this is not really a subject where we need more easy to read books. Kolbert's underlying assumptions are the same as Al Gore's. First, global warming is an absolute fact, it is caused by human CO2 emissions and, if we do not stop it, life as we know it will come to an end. Second, the reason that we do not act to stop this danger is that people are idiots, who can not understand science. So, if we talk real slow, and have lots of pictures, maybe we can teach these idiots to save themselves.

Kolbert does not go to Gore's coffee-table extremes. While she does not have any honest to goodness footnotes, she does actually cite us to eight pages of sources at the end. If Gore's book is basically a comic book, her book is about the level one would expect in a middle-brow monthly magazine. It is serious, but not very.

Here is the problem, Al and Ms. Kolbert. Many of us are not persuaded that the world is coming to an end. Many of us would like to see hard, well-reasoned science on the subject. Many of us would like to see the thoughts of skeptics taken seriously instead of brushed aside or mocked. This book does none of those things. It basically tells a bunch of stories, and makes no effort to make a serious, sustained and logical argument. It is possible that Gore and Kolbert are right, but it is going to take a much more serious scientific argument to persuade me.

I am less persuaded then I might be, because, even with my scanty knowledge on the issue, I can see her consciously tilting the evidence her way. Example. At one point, she talks about Greenland. She gives us a very short history of Greenland, noting that there were Norse settlers there for 400 years, who "scraped" out a living and then just kind of disappeared for reasons that Kolbert does not attempt to explain. These Norse settlements were founded at the height of the Medieval Warming -- when conditions were fairly nice -- and they died out due to the Little Ice Age, when it got so cold they could not survive. Kolbert knows that, because she refers to both the Medieval Warming and the Little Ice Age at other parts of the book. BUT she also knows that these non-people caused climatic changes undercut her argument. Global warming skeptics say that the current warming is consistent with the prior pattern of natural change, and the Medieval Warming is Exhibit A. Thus, by carefully not mentioning the real reason why the Norse settlements died out Kolbert has on her thumb on the scale. This does not inspire much confidence.

» Climate change is the central issue of our time. Any book that raises public consciousness about it is a good thing. To its credit, "Field Notes From a Catastrophe" does help the cause by educating lay readers about the basics of climate change. However, it never really makes the transition from a series of New Yorker articles to a full-blown book. It consists mostly of human interest stories about climate researchers and the impact of global warming in places like Alaska and Iceland. These vignettes would be easily digestible on a subway or in a doctor's waiting room, but we expect more from a book. The reading non-science-educated public (which includes me) can handle more than this.

One good chapter tells how scientists discovered that carbon dioxide levels can raise or lower the global temperature equilibrium. There's another good chapter on the incredible mendacity and short-sightedness of the Bush Administration (may it rest in peace forever). Every American should read these sections, since America is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world and the greatest obstacle to international action. The rest of the book, however, is little more than disposable science journalism.

» Little by little the skeptics of global warming are falling away. Let's hope this brief and very persuasive book shakes loose a few more of them, because Kolbert, an unbiased reporter and one of the best non-fiction writers of English today, makes it clear that the time to act on anthropogenic climate change is ten years ago. Were it not that the subject matter is inherently depressing, this book would be a sheer pleasure to read---and as it is, it can and should be read by everyone who has a middle school diploma. If you are considering buying it, stop reading the reviews right now and make the purchase. Then read it and pass it on.

» A small book, but big in content! If you are looking for that book that can summarize this ever growing problem, this is it. The writting is simple and to the point, no fluff.

» If you're looking for a book that is a great read on climate change but doesn't necessarily go into every nook and cranny of the subject, this is the one for you. Kolbert is a fantastic writer and reporter and this subject is incredibly compelling. She makes it understanable and approachable. I had a very strong emotional reaction to this book. It's absolutely terrifying but, at the same time, Kolbert writes so well that it was an enjoyable read. I actually bought 15 copies to give to friends and family!

An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We ...

Amazon Price: $14.37
Customer Reviews:
» As close to everyone knows, this is Al Gore's book which allegedly proves that, because of mankind's increased carbon emissions, therefore the global climate is warming and therefore we will suffer from a wide variety of catastrophic problems unless we act to reverse the situation. Gore actually argues in this book that, unless we radically decrease CO2 emissions, the oceans will rise 20 feet, most of Florida and New York City will be drowned -- he provides very real looking computer-generated maps of these predictions -- there will be many more hurricanes and, in general, the world as we know it will come to an end.

It is possible that Gore's basic thesis is correct. Our climate might be warming from CO2 emissions. There is no way to assess the value of his thesis from this book, however. This is a beautifully illustrated picture book. It is filled with gorgeous photographs. It has very little text. On the few occasions when Gore actually puts more than 50 words in a row it is generally to tell some heart-wrenching anecdote such as why the near-death of his son made him passionate about global warming. The book has no footnotes, and no connected argument. It is, to be blunt about, a coffee-table book, not a scientific book.

I appreciate that Gore's defenders will disagree. After all, the pictures show facts don't they? We can see, from the pictures, that there is less ice on Mt. Kilamanjero. We can see that many glaciers have retreated in the last century. We can even see the photos showing how much of Florida would be submerged, if the sea rose 20 feet, which it would, if all of the ice in Greenland melted.

Yes, the pictures give isolated facts. But science is not done with pictures, because one can always take a few facts out of context to prove anything. You do not do science with a few photos. You do science with hard data, taken from as many sources as possible. You do science by looking at the whole picture, or as much as you can. You also do science by seriously addressing critics and alternative theories. I am sorry, Al, but this book is much closer to a rock video than it is to a scientific argument. It relies on pictures, emotions and wild claims. That does not prove that it is wrong. You can not , however, rationally assess the truth or falsity of the statements with Gore's presentation.

Al thinks we are stupid. He does not think we will read through serious science. He thinks we need lots of pictures or we just won't get it.

» 31,000 U.S. scientests have signed a petition refuting the claims that mankind is causing global warming and many scientests are now saying we are about to enter a period of global cooling due to changes in our sun. A British court found over 30 of Gore's claims in his movie to be false. Al Gore's home uses more energy in one month than the average home owner uses in one year and the zinc mine that was on his property was once listed by an environmental group as the most toxic mine site in America and Gore wants to reopen it. Are these the actions of a man truely concerned about the environment? Do a little searching to find out about Gore's financial interests in promoting global warming, other than his film and books, and you will find what I believe to be his true motivation.

While we do need to be better stewards of our planet the rush to stop climate change is harming millions around the world and will harm hundreds of millions more if we continue on this course. Gore and his followers say warmer temperatures will produce crop failures that will lead to starvation for millions but in our rush to develop cleaner burning bio fuels we are currently leaving millions of people around the world without enough food to eat. The move to develop bio fuels is also causing a huge price increase in foods which will harm the poorest among us. The amount of corn required to produce 25 gallons of ethanol is enough food to feed an adult for one year and that is one years worth of food someone will have to go without. When you rush into something based on emotion instead of facts you often take the wrong course and that is what I see happening with the issue of global warming.

True science has shown us the earth has been warming for thousands of years, the earth has been much warmer in the past then it is currently, and the only thing normal about climate change is it's always changing. As once scientest has said, a never changing climate would be abnormal.

» I purchased this book despite my skepticism on human caused global warming. I figure i need to know both sides of the argument before I formulate an opinion.

There were some great points made in the book and despite my belief that global warming is not entirely human caused, there are a lot of things where I said "ya, why not? Wouldn't hurt to reduce this or that."

I did have a problem with Al's failure to show both sides of the coin when he pointed out statistics and used charts. One chart he used pointed out recent increases of this or that, but didn't comment on the historical increases that were shown on the same chart.

I also felt like the charts and graphs were misleading in many ways. Often they used visual tips and tricks to draw the eye to the points they wanted to make while 'hiding' the counter arguments. Although I was probably especially sensitive to this as I just read a book on the visual presentation of data.

If you are interested in global warming, even if you are a conservative that is against it, I believe you need to read this book. It would be naive to argue against it if you haven't read it.

» After forcing myself to read Al's tirade, the conclusion is obvious: An Inconvenient Truth is nothing more than a loose morph of Paul Erhlich's The Population Bomb, but with one caveat. Paul Erhlich was (and continues to be) the simple village idiot, happily distracted by butterflies, thinking that what might be true for winged objects of his research is true for homo sapiens, after the application of a strong Malthusian filter. Every one of his predictions were wrong. Enough said.

Al, however, is different in one important respect: he is the consummate capitalist and entirely distinterested in peer reviewed scientific literature. When he departed the office of Vice President, his net worth was about $2M. In 2008, that number is approaching $100M. He doubled his money almost six times in eight years. Not many are able to lay claim to that return on investment. And how did he do it? By peddling enough junk science and apocalyptic rhetoric that would choke a blue whale. And raking in more $$$ from his carbon credit front companies.

Nowhere in the book will you read how Al has worked out the causal mechanism) of global warming that caused rapid continental deglaciation about 10-14 thousand years ago, long before modern humans walked the Earth. In fairness to Al, I wouldn't expect that of him: the causative agents remains to this day poorly understood. But not a single word about Quaternary climate appears in this book. Al is betting most people will not bother read the Geological Society of America Special Paper #270: The Last Interglacial-Glacial Transition in North America. Good odds, I'd say.

Even so, I hear Al replaced the incandescent bulbs in his multi-thousand square foot mansion with the energy-saving florescent variety. Good for you Al: thanks for leading the way and saving the planet!

» Another junk science piece of garbage and a political stunt (that unfortunately worked with the Nobel Committee).

Power to Save the World: The Truth About Nuclear Energy

Amazon Price: $18.45
Customer Reviews:
» Another book from a writer who says "I was anti-nuclear but I think different now". What sort of message can we expect from somebody who says "In 50 years of operation, they have caused no deaths to the public"? Obviously she has never heard about Chernobyl, or the cancer clusters near Sellafield and La Hague. And still she does not answer the questions that environmentalists raise about nuclear power: What are we going to use when we run out of uranium? what do we do about people living near nuclear power stations who get sick and die? What are we going to do with nuclear waste? Not to mention all the "what-if's" about accidents and possible terrorist attacks. This book shows you one side of the story, and hides the other one.

» Ms. Cravens has written a very good book discussing the complete nuclear power cycle from a lay person's perspective. Her discussions concerning power baseloading and comparing nuclear sources to coal sources for powering the national power grid are narratives that are rarely, if ever, discussed outside of the power industry due to the emotional issues that nuclear power brings forth in people.

As a non-technical author and former protester against nuclear power, Ms. Cravens tackles the subject material of nuclear power, the security issues, health issues and comparisons to other major power sources with a thoroughness not usually seen at this level. Her approach to "tag along" with noted retired DOE scientist, Rip Anderson and his openness and patience towards teaching a non-technically trained person the ins and outs of the nuclear power cycle add to the narrative. The unique approach she takes to treat her investigation of nuclear power as a personal journey leads to Ms. Cravens' ultimate understanding that nuclear power must be one of the power sources we rely on for our power needs as we go into the 21st century.

The book provides an excellent overview partly due to the length of time it takes for Ms. Craven's accounts of her travels and interviews to be written. Ms. Cravens does not try to write this book in 3 or 6 months just to ride the coattails of the latest nuclear headlines. Instead she took the time she needed to fully understand nuclear power, other sources of electrical power and the subject of baseloading before finalizing her book. The time was well spent as she is able to competently write about the use of nuclear power in today's world of shrinking inventory of carbon based fuels, greenhouse effects and increasing international tensions.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is truly interested in the discussion and future of nuclear power. It does not answer every technical question but that was never the goal of the book. What Ms. Cravens' book does is address the necessary critical technical and nontechnical questions about the nuclear power cycle and the power needs of the United States from a layperson's level. This book should be used as reference material for any critical discussions or debates concerning the pros and cons of nuclear power.

» It's thorough and thought provoking -- enough to motivate me to look up parallel information as I read through the book.

I really like how the author balances risk and benefit throughout, and gets her readers to think in those terms. There seemed to be little glossing over hard facts. Overall, the book takes away my concerns about the risks of nuclear, especially as compared to other sources - like the filthy coal industry. I love the idea of solar, but her perspective on the toxic manufacturing and disposal process for solar cells helps answers questions I've long wondered about. She isn't against other forms of energy generation - just puts them in perspective. Nothing is free, easy, or perfect.

It was amazing to learn about the incredible advances in reactor technology and how it can be done with a tiny fraction of the waste now generated.

Her dissection of the disposal issue takes away the scare factor.

The book informs a highly emotional discussion in a rational, reasonable way and demolishes a lot of mythology. There are parts I had to re-read to digest, but it's written about as easy to understand as it could be to cover the subject with the depth it does for a layperson.

» The good sides of this book are manifold. First of all, probably due to the fact that the author is a professional novelist, one has to say that "it reads like a book": it is difficult to put it down, and the fourhundred something pages are read with ease and fun. The second good side of this book is that it is full of very interesting, and not always well-known information, even to people in the field. It is a mixture of technical issues and human relationships.

However, there were two points that irritated me somewhat. First of all is the somewhat naive attempt at "showing that we are environmental activists too". The arguments put forward should stand by themselves, and not because the authority in the book (Rip Anderson) and his wife are also local concerned activists for one or other ecological cause.
The other point I found disappointing was the somewhat simplistic technical treatment of several key aspects in the nuclear power happening. The main point I found disappointing was the missing of a clear discussion of fuel reprocessing, fast breeders, thermal reactors and so on. These subjects are touched upon, but they are very vaguely treated ; nevertheless, this is an essential part in the future of nuclear power if it is to have a future. In other words, at the end of the day, you have to take some expert's word for it, as the book doesn't give you the means to verify some aspects yourself in a logical derivation, even though most of the information in the book is factually correct.

That said, this book is a very good read for people who have been fed on the vocal absurdities spread around by anti-nuclear activists such as Helen Caldicott. A read of both is probably a good thing, but one should start with "Power to save the world", as it gets most of its facts right.

» If you like your science with endless, irrelevant narrative concerning facts arbitrarily selected by the author based on their romantic attachment to whatever, then this book is for you. I bought this book for some meat-on-bone reading. What I got was tedium ad nauseam. "The driveway and an area around a garage were occupied by an ancient wooden hay wagon with iron-bound wheels from the Idaho ranch, a battered van, an antique school bus Rip had turned into a camping vehicle, various tools and farm equipment, and a metal-working shop with sheets of corrugated metal, lengths of pipe, and coils of wire". (p.22) Oh PUH-lease. Let's get on with it. The book reads like a kindergartener's first reader, and the name of the scientist involved adds to this feel. "See Rip run. See Rip exhale carbon dioxide. See Rip's exhaled carbon dioxide contribute global climate catastrophe."

The chapters on WIPP and subsea were the best, and are the sole reason for my giving this book two stars. As a degreed engineer, I could seriously have done without the grandma-knows-best, romantic visions of the environment discourse.