All Solar, Et Al, In 12 Years?

[Randolph Kinney]

Does rising ocean temperatures mean the earth is warming from CO2?

Rising ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific and diminishing trade winds continue to indicate a strong El Niño climate pattern could bring much-needed rain to Southern California, according to the latest update from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters.

It's unclear whether this year's conditions in the Pacific will develop as strongly as those that created the intense 1997 El Niño weather system, but the 2015 version is shaping up to be one of the strongest of the last 50 years, said Bill Patzert, climatologist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Wind is the wild card this season.

"It's large, it's very warm, and at this point, the drama is, will the trade winds relax enough in the next two to three months to make this the El Niño of our generation," Patzert said.

Scientists track two elements to determine the strength of an El Niño weather condition. Surface temperatures of the Pacific Ocean near the equator need to rise at least half a degree centigrade above average, and the generally east-to-west trade winds need to weaken, stall or reverse direction. In the 1997 El Niño episode, the winds stalled, or collapsed, enabling further ocean surface temperature increases.

This El Niño started off strong and early, Patzert said, with temperatures on the surface of the ocean near the equator up a couple of degrees centigrade over normal.

"Now it rivals the El Niño of the fall of 1997 but the big difference is that the trade winds have not relaxed as much," Patzert said. "The trade winds, in contrast with 1997, are still pretty strong out there, and so to make this the El Niño of our generation, we would have to see a relaxation of the trade winds over the next few months.

"A changing climate makes historical weather data less comparable," Anderson said. He advised people to continue conserving water, particularly during the hot fall months.

If temperatures there reach 0.5°C above average for at least three consecutive months, then an El Niño has formed. Not all El Niños are equal though, only the strong ones tend to bring rain to Southern California.

A strong El Niño season can translate into a higher likelihood of stormy weather for Southern California, but drought-busting rainfall is not guaranteed, said Nathan Mantua, a NOAA research scientist with Southwest Fisheries Science Center in Santa Cruz — which is separate from NOAA's National Weather Service predictions office, which puts out El Niño forecasts.

Scientists track the rising ocean temperatures and wind conditions, using a three-month rolling average, and announce updates each month. Last month, NOAA's weather prediction center said the 2015-16 winter could be one of the strongest El Niños since they started keeping track back in the 1950s.

Mantua said it's unclear how the El Niño will play out as weather in Southern California because the condition forms far out in the Pacific Ocean and will not be felt here for several months.

http://www.scpr.org/news/2015/09/10/54312/el-nino-update-still-on-track-for-a-stormy-socal-w/

Strange, no mention of increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere or any connection to El Nino except a generalized reference to a changing climate.

The only symptoms these guys track is the ocean temperature at the equator and the trade winds stalling or reversing direction.

Wonder why they don't correlate those symptoms with ocean acidity, or CO2 concentration at the surface of the equator?

 

[Meandering]

I had a husband like this.

It's large, it's very warm, the drama was, enough trade winds relaxing

Some laws of nature hold true across multiple sciences.

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[Randolph Kinney]

Climate change acidifying tropical Pacific Ocean more than expected

The amount of carbon dioxide in the tropical Pacific Ocean has increased surprisingly quickly over the past 14 years, according to new research from scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Washington.

The reason for the rapid increase in carbon dioxide concentrations is a combination of natural variability and human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, said Adrienne Sutton, a research scientist with NOAA's Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean at the University of Washington.

Although it is difficult to tease out exactly how much of the increase in carbon dioxide concentrations is due to human-caused climate change, "we assume that most of the carbon dioxide increase [in the tropical Pacific] is due to anthropogenic CO2," Sutton said.

In fact, the rate of increase in carbon dioxide concentrations in parts of the tropical Pacific Ocean, a band of ocean along the equator between the coasts of South America and Southeast Asia, is greater than the rate of increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Measurements by atmospheric scientists at NOAA show that atmospheric CO2 is increasing at a rate of about 2 parts per million per year. But in parts of the tropical Pacific, the rate of change in CO2 concentrations measured by the researchers reached 3.3 ppm per year.

"It was a big surprise. We were not expecting to see rates that strong," Sutton said.

Current models do not predict such large increases in carbon dioxide concentrations in that part of the ocean, which is one of the reasons those findings were unexpected. The data were collected from a set of seven buoys in the tropical Pacific, starting in 1998.

Because that part of the ocean is dominated by many natural cycles, including the El Niño Southern Oscillation and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, the researchers had to work to disentangle the overall signal of carbon dioxide concentrations from the variability caused by natural changes.

"One of the reasons why we were really interested in putting these CO2 systems on the buoys was so that we could see the incredible natural variability that occurs in this region," Sutton said.

For the first few years of data collection, the researchers saw a clear signal of carbon dioxide growth rates changing as the ocean switched from El Niño to neutral to La Niña.

In subtropical regions of the ocean north and south of the equator, the ocean gets into an equilibrium with whatever concentration of carbon dioxide is in the atmosphere at that time -- and every year, that atmospheric concentration has increased due to human emissions of CO2.

Then, the water is pushed deep into the ocean, where it collects more carbon dioxide due to natural biological processes. It eventually upwells back in the tropical Pacific.

"That water is carrying anthropogenic CO2 plus this natural CO2. So when it upwells along the equator, you are seeing both of those processes drive to produce CO2," Sutton said.

http://www.eenews.net/stories/1059996806

I believe it is reasonable to assume that all the CO2 in the oceans came from the atmosphere at some point in time, over the entire history of the earth.

I believe it is unreasonable to assume increases CO2 in the atmosphere come only from humans and equally unreasonable to assume increases in ocean CO2 levels come from only humans.

And then claim natural dominance cycles of El Niño and La Niña and no connection to the ocean adding to the atmospheric levels of CO2.

 

[Meandering]

Wait a minute.

Although it is difficult to tease out exactly how much of the increase in carbon dioxide concentrations is due to human-caused climate change, "we assume that most of the carbon dioxide increase [in the tropical Pacific] is due to anthropogenic CO2," Sutton said

What happened to the isotope indicators that determined the source of the carbon, remember the C12, c-13, c14 thing with C-14 being the carbon dating that comes from the decay over time of organic material? How come scientists can sit on the hill and count pigeons flying past to estimate food sources for birds of prey, but we can't count carbon molecules to determine where they came from?

For the first few years of data collection, the researchers saw a clear signal of carbon dioxide growth rates changing as the ocean switched from El Niño to neutral to La Niña.

And with the massive El Nino coming, will the ocean change again? Are we in an ocean menstrual cycle?

"That water is carrying anthropogenic CO2 plus this natural CO2. So when it upwells along the equator, you are seeing both of those processes drive to produce CO2," Sutton said.

Human respiration produces anthropogenic CO2, and the dogs respiration produces natural CO2, and well, frankly, they have proven that CO2 levels have historically been higher than they are now, and no humans existed.

This is like Swiss cheese science.
The CO2 has poked holes all through it.

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[Terrel L. Shields]

When (Icelandic) Ambrym volcano erupted, SO2 (sulfur dioxide) emissions were 20,000 tonnes (1000kg) per day. It also contained chlorine and fluorine along with other strong gases and elements like lead, cadmium, zinc and bismuth. One eruption of Laki (Iceland) is estimated to have placed half a gigatonne of carbon dioxide in the air.

 

[Randolph Kinney]

First, no volcanic eruption spewing megatons of CO2 caused temperature to change however, those same volcanoes spewing megatons of SO2 caused global temperatures to decrease within the year of eruptions.

Second, the settled science contradicts itself with studies that point to natural cycles overwhelming all of the history of manmade CO2 in a single year followed by a reversal in the following year.

You really have to be a dope to believe settled science.

 

[Meandering]

They mine/mined zinc and cadmium here.


For nearly 70 years, the New Jersey Zinc Company deposited 30 million tons of slag at
the Site, creating a cinder bank that extends for 2 ½ miles and measures over 200 feet
high and 500 to 1,000 feet wide (USEPA 2005). The smelting operations, which
included an East Plant and a West Plant, emitted huge quantities of metals throughout the
valley. As a result, approximately 2,000 acres on Blue Mountain, which is adjacent to
the former smelters, have been defoliated, leaving the mountain barren. Soil on the
defoliated area of the mountain has contaminated the rain water flowing across it.
Runoff, erosion, aerial deposition, and contaminated groundwater have deposited
contaminants into Aquashicola Creek and the Lehigh River. The Palmerton Water
Authority has four production wells at the foot of Blue Mountain that supply water to the
Borough of Palmerton (approximately 5,000 people) and the Village of Aquashicola.
These deeper bedrock wells have not been affected by contaminants from the Site to date.
The USEPA is overseeing the cleanup of the Palmerton Zinc Pile, which is being carried
out by Viacom International, Inc. and Horsehead Corporation. The Site is divided into
four separate cleanups, known as operable units.


The Trustees intend to focus on exposure and injuries to natural resources due to the
release of seven metals identified by the USEPA as contaminants of concern at the Site:
arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (CU), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb)
and zinc (Zn). The USEPA described elevated levels of Cd, Pb, and Zn in soils, surface
waters, and biota as metals of concern in the 1987 OU1 ROD. Stream sampling in 1984
identified Cd, Pb, and Zn as elevated in fish (USFWS 1986). The USEPA described
elevated levels of Cd, CU, Pb, and Zn in soils, sediments, surface waters, groundwater
and biota as metals of concern in the 1988 OU2 ROD. The USEPA listed As, Cd, Pb and
Zn as chemicals of potential concern (COPCs) in the 2001 OU3 ROD. All of the above
inorganics are listed as hazardous substances in Table 302.4, List of Hazardous
Substances and Reportable Quantities under CERCLA (40 CFR Part 302.4(a)), and as
toxic pollutants pursuant to 40 CFR Part 401.15, as amended.

The USEPA has reported that excessive air emissions from the two smelting plants
caused the defoliation of the surrounding mountains (USEPA 1987b). Over the years,
various sources at the smelters have emitted varying amounts of metals. It has been
estimated that total emissions of Cd, Pb, and Zn were 3,740, 7,560, and 286,000 tons,
respectively (USEPA 1987b). Using these estimates as a baseline, the USEPA estimated
that the average emission rates of Cd, Pb, and Zn for the period of 1900 to 1979 was 47,
95, and 3,575 tons/year, respectively. The time period from 1970 to 1979 was estimated
to have the highest emission rates at 105 tons/year of Cd, 322 tons/year of Pb, and 4,800
tons/year of Zn.

5.6 Drinking Water
The deep aquifer wells were used originally by the former Palmer Water Company and are
currently used by the Palmerton Municipal Authority. Currently, potable water supplies are
sufficient to meet demand. Although the likelihood is considered low, the potential need for
increased water supply exists, either due to contamination of the deep aquifer or additional
demand. The Trustees are currently reviewing existing groundwater data to evaluate possible
service losses to drinking water. If existing data are insufficient to quantify injury across the
geographic and temporal scope of this assessment, the Trustees may elect to conduct
additional water supply evaluations.
http://www.fws.gov/contaminants/restorationplans/palmerton/PalmertonAssessmentPlanFeb06.pdf

Yup,
People have lived there since 1900, working in it, eating it, drinking it, and yet, the cancer rate is no higher than typical in the state.
http://www.statistics.health.pa.gov..._Incidence_and_Mortality_2012.pdf#All_Cancers

No mention of it causing global warming either.

.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Same is relatively true in NE OK and SW MO in the old Tri State lead and zinc district. Tar creek supposed to be the most contaminated in the nation, but no one seems to be dying or affected unduly.

 

[Meandering]

Wisconsin ‘health hazard’ ruling could shock wind industry

Late last year, Glenmore, a rural community just south of Green Bay, persuaded its county's board of health to declare that the sounds of an eight-turbine wind farm pose a "human health hazard."

Local activists have continued to press the issue in hopes of shutting down the turbines, pointing to families who complain of sleep deprivation, headaches, nausea and dizziness -- symptoms similar to sea sickness. Lawns display signs saying, "Turbines kill: Birds, Bats, Communities" and "Consider How Your Turbine May Harm Your Neighbor." More than one family has moved out of their home.

Duke Energy Corp., which purchased the Shirley wind farm in 2011, has strongly pushed back against the hazard determination, pointing to a series of studies that have found no connection between infrasound and the symptoms described by the local residents. The case has caught the attention of the national wind industry, which is concerned about the precedent it could set and whether it could embolden local activists around the country. They claim it is part of a politically motivated campaign by anti-wind advocates.

"Abandoned homes, sick families, continued Duke Energy ordinance violations," said Steve Deslauriers of the Brown County Citizens for Responsible Wind Energy, the principal group opposing the farm. "If this were any other industry, they would already be shut down. It is high time that wind developers are held accountable for the hell they levy upon families."

In December 2012, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, which is an independent regulatory agency, and the environmental group Clean Wisconsin released a study that included the findings of four acousticians. The consultants spanned the ideological spectrum; some worked primarily for opponents of wind farms, while others had worked on both sides of the issue.

The report's top-line conclusion appeared incriminating.

"The four investigating firms are of the opinion that enough evidence and hypotheses have been given herein to classify [low frequency noise] and infrasound as a serious issue, possibly affecting the future of the industry," it said.

It acknowledged that there is "sparse or non-existent" evidence of sickness in "peer-reviewed literature" but concluded that the four specialists "strongly recommend additional testing" at the Shirley farm.

Rand said turbine sounds and infrasound cause effects similar to sea sickness and health boards shouldn't need peer-reviewed scientific papers to accept the health impacts.

"Most people accept -- because it's been occurring for thousands of years -- that people get motion sickness," Rand said in an interview. "And yet, in this particular case, there seems to be a lot of pushback."
http://midwestenergynews.com/2015/09/17/wisconsin-health-hazard-ruling-could-shock-wind-industry/


,

 

[Randolph Kinney]

High-speed rail project: Dead train walking?
Aug. 29, 2015

Taxpayer money wasted on "global warming solution" boondoggle

It’s official: Another key round of litigation in the fight over the state’s bullet-train project will begin Feb. 11 in Sacramento. Superior Court Judge Michael Kenny will preside over a nonjury trial in which Kings County, homeowner Aaron Fukuda and farmer John Tos will argue that the project should be blocked on grounds that it doesn’t honor the requirements of Proposition 1A, the 2008 state bond measure that provided $9.95 billion in seed money for the project.

The plaintiffs contend that the train can’t possibly operate without illegal taxpayer subsidies and that trips from Los Angeles to San Francisco in the mandated two hours and 40 minutes are not remotely feasible. Their attorneys are very confident, citing the many ways that what the California High-Speed Rail Authority wants to do is at odds with what voters were promised in 2008.

Considering that their previous lawsuit arguably has already set the stage for the bullet train’s demise, maybe they have reason to be cocky. Thanks to the rail authority’s spin, what’s remembered about that suit is that in July 2014, the state’s 3rd District Court of Appeals overturned Kenny’s 2013 ruling that enjoined the state from spending bond money at this stage of the project.

But the appellate court opinion’s first paragraph noted that the “scope of our decision is quite narrow.” It held that though Kenny acted prematurely in enjoining bond spending, he was correct that before beginning construction, 1) the state must have a legal business plan identifying the source of the $31 billion needed to build the project’s first operating segment, and 2) the state must have completed “all the requisite environmental clearances.”

A year later, the state still doesn’t have the money firmly identified or the necessary environmental approvals. So the only way in which the appellate court ruling was a victory for the state was that it delayed the day of reckoning in which a state judge will say “where’s the hard funding?” and “where are the environmental clearances?” and the project will slam to a halt.

Given the bluster with which Gov. Jerry Brown has defended the project, it may seem naive to think a judge will defy a popular governor. But it is plain that in 2008, voters wanted what the appellate ruling agreed was a “financial straitjacket” on the project to make sure it didn’t end up as billions of dollars wasted on miles of abandoned track.

And there’s also the fact that the state’s top lawyer doesn’t dispute the key parts of Kenny’s decision. In the “remedies brief” filed with the Sacramento judge after his preliminary ruling in the case, Attorney General Kamala Harris didn’t challenge his finding that what the state planned to do wasn’t legal. She only said it was premature for him to block the project on those grounds. The appellate court agreed.

But someday before long, it won’t be premature – and a judge will almost certainly say the state must honor its legally binding promises on the mega-fiasco that is the California bullet train.

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/aug/29/high-speed-rail-project-dead-train-walking/