Climate Tolerance As the Maryland legislature and other states, cities and towns grapple with reducing CO2 levels I cannot help but feel a bit frustrated. (The State Assembly of Maryland could not agree on a CO2 reduction plan this session.) Let’s for the sake of argument assume that the proposed bill in Annapolis would reduce the global temperature by .5 degrees Fahrenheit in fifty years. (This is a ludicrous assumption since Maryland is just one state and it would have to be a global initiative but let’s go with it for now.) In 2050 when we look back on the amount of money we spent to reduce the temperature a very small amount and in the process put almost impossible demands on our businesses will we be able to defend that decision to our grandchildren? Should we instead put that money into schools, infrastructure and R & D ? I am not trying to diminish global warming but I am, like Bjorn Lomborg, attempting look at it from a different perspective. Some of the affects of global warming have been greatly exaggerated (when the ice cubes in your drink melt does you glass overflow ? )and our money may be better spent exploring other avenues in addition to CO2 reduction. CO2 is just one variable in a most complex global climate. I have stated for years that some of the effects of global warming might even be beneficial. We might see crops grown farther north and in areas of the world that previously could cultivate nothing. Global warming is such a politically charged issue that we are losing our perspective on the issue and more importantly losing an open forum from which to discuss the issue. If we lose the right or comfort level to openly discuss and debate this issue we will not be able to tackle it efficiently and economically.  ¶ 10:17 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Super Outbreak On this date in 1974 (April 3rd – April 4th) a total of 148 tornadoes struck thirteen states killing 315, injuring 5300 and causing 600 million in damage all in a span of just sixteen hours. Cold air from the north was moving south as warm, moist air moved north from the Gulf of Mexico. The jet stream was also playing a role with speeds over 140 mph. The clash of the warm and cold air coupled with the strong jet stream which added the wind shear component created an environment perfect for a massive outbreak. A tornadic thunderstorm developed near Decatur, Illinois beginning the 'super outbreak'. The F5 that hit Xenia, Ohio left 34 dead and half of the town in destruction. The top winds in Xenia were estimated at an incredible 318 mph ! Alabama, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia were all the states affected. Six of the tornadoes were F5. Winds were in excess of 261 mph. April tornadoes are the strongest due to the greatest temperature contrast both horizontally and vertically. May is usually the most prolific month with eighteen percent of the annual average. Seventy five percent of all tornadoes occur between March and July. For the Metro Area the months of July through September are our critical months. Virginia averages six tornadoes per year while Maryland averages three. There have been six known tornadoes in the District. The La Plate tornado was an F4 and the second strongest tornado to hit the east coast with winds up to 200 mph.  ¶ 9:58 PM 1 Comments Links to this post

  Very Sensible I’ll keep it short and sweet tonight. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of ‘Cool It’ by Bjorn Lomborg. I read three books while on vacation but this is the one that made a lasting impression on me.  ¶ 5:40 PM 1 Comments Links to this post