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20 June 2002 The Producer Information Morning CBC Halifax Dear Sir/Madam: Today's Commentary by University of Alabama atmospheric specialist John Christy on atmospheric carbon dioxide and why Canada should not sign the Kyoto protocol (http://cbc.ca/insite/COMMENTARY/2002/6/20.html) is based on outdated information and is designed to mislead listeners. Mr. Christy lists three 'things' that everyone should know about carbon dioxide and climate change: First, carbon dioxide is the "lifeblood of the planet" and planets need it; from this, Mr. Christy concludes that more carbon dioxide is a good thing. Although it is true that some plant species do benefit from additional carbon dioxide, recent research has shown that carbon dioxide alone is not sufficient to help plants -- moisture is also required. If global climate models prove correct and droughts occur in major crop growing areas, additional carbon dioxide from anthropogenic sources will be of little value. Second, Mr. Christy criticizes global climate models that suggest a warming of the lower atmosphere, referring to his satellite research with Roy Spencer, claiming that "temperatures in the lower atmosphere hasn't changed much at all". What Mr. Christy doesn't tell us is that research conducted in mid-1998 has shown that the orbital decay of satellites (about one kilometer per year) influenced their readings. When the orbital decay is taken into account, the atmospheric temperature readings from satellites show a warming trend (as opposed to cooling). Third, Mr. Christy suggests that Kyoto isn't worth signing because its effects on global temperature will be so small that it can't even be measured. Although there is some truth to this claim, Mr. Christy overlooks the fact that Kyoto is simply the first of a number of protocols that will be required to stabilize the climate. Mr. Christy goes on to say, "Canada is a tremendous asset to the world, all because of its affordable energy". He should have been a bit more specific and identified the United States as the part of the world that benefits from our (fossil fuel-based) affordable energy. lh. Larry Hughes, PhD Professor Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Dalhousie University Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3J 2X4, Canada v: 902.494.3950 f: 902.422.7535 e: larry.hughes@dal.ca u: http://www.dal.ca/~lhughes2 -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- SUST-MAR TIP: copyright material cannot be posted to the list CBC enviro news-briefs follow: -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- TARPONDS CLEANUP COMES WITH WAIVER Some homeowners in Sydney say they're being asked to sign away their rights. The province is offering to clean up yards and basements on nearly 100 properties near the heavily contaminated coke ovens site. But property owners will have to release the tarponds agency from any liability, before the work can begin. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_waiver020620 GRIMES CLARIFIES POSITION ON NATURAL GAS Newfoundland Premier Roger Grimes isn't at loggerheads with John Hamm after all. Wednesday reports said Grimes supported New Brunswick's call for a Canada-first policy on natural gas exports. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_grimes020620 MUNICIPALITIES GETTING MONEY FOR WASTE REDUCTION Environmental and waste reduction programs in the province are about to get more money. The Resource Recovery Fund Board of Nova Scotia announced Thursday it will distribute $7 million this year to 55 municipalities. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_recovery020620 KENTVILLE FUMING OVER ANTI-SMOKING LAW The mayor of Kentville is accusing the province of undermining the town's tough anti-smoking by-law. He says the week provincial law is part of the reason his council backed down on a full smoking ban. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_kentpuff020619 NEW N.S. ENERGY MINISTER READY FOR BATTLE Nova Scotia's new energy minister is ready to fight New Brunswick's proposal to keep offshore natural gas in Canada, before it's exported to the United States. Gordon Balser was sworn in Monday. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_balser MORE CHARGES POSSIBLE AS POLICE REVIEW G-7 TAPES Halifax Regional Police say more charges are possible after the weekend's G-7 protests. Sergeant Don Spicer says investigators are reviewing video tapes they took during the clashes. But protesters continue to say police used too much force. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_morecharges020618 BARCODE COULD REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR 'DOUBLE DOUBLE' A man from Truro says he's invented a way to speed up the trip through the drive-through coffee window. Charles Annand has developed bar codes for refillable coffee mugs. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_barcode020618 WATER WORRIES IN NORTH PRESTON FIRE AFTERMATH Fire investigators say they're worried water supplies in North Preston may have been contaminated after last week's fire at a recycling centre. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_preston020619 TOP FIRE OFFICIAL SAYS REPORT SLIGHTLY BIASED The head of the Halifax Regional Fire Service says he doesn't think a consultant's report is completely fair. But Chief Mike Eddy says he'll comply with its main recommendations. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_eddy020619 HAMM 'PUNISHES' REBEL BACKBENCHER BARNET Premier John Hamm is punishing backbencher Barry Barnet, who fought to toughen the government's anti-smoking bill. Barnet has lost his seat on three legislature committees, and will not be allowed to represent the Tory government at official functions. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_barnet020619 STORA CLOSURE COULD DEVASTATE REGION There's deep concern in Inverness County over the possible closure of Stora Enso's older paper mill in Port Hawkesbury. The people who supply wood to Stora stand to lose much or all of their business if Stora no longer needs to supply the mill, known as PM-1. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_stora020619 DEEP PANUKE PROJECT DELAYED There are delays in one of the next big proposals for the offshore. The company planning the $1.8 billion 'Deep Panuke Project' says development is delayed, waiting for environmental approval. FULL STORY http://novascotia.cbc.ca/template/servlet/View?filename=ns_panuke020619 © Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
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