[Greenbuilding] [BULK] Re: [BULK] HCFC & HFC ozone & global warming

[Lawrence Lile]

> While there are less of these gases than carbon dioxide, they are 10
to 11 thousand times worse. 

Aha! So they are a major problem compared to CO2. I had no idea. I stand
corrected. 

>The Kyoto Protocol is calling for only 1 billion pounds reduction in
carbon dioxide. That goal has been wiped out by using HCFC's and HFC's
and we would be lucky to save 1 billion pounds of the 2 to 3 by
switching to better alternative at this point.

Not the only problem with the Kyoto protocol, which was basically
watered down so bad as to only preserve the status quo.  I would have
liked to see them ratify it, then force through BIGGER restrictions.  

>There was another article in todays paper about methane. If the oceans
heat up too much more methane will be released (worse greenhouse than
carbon dioxide), and there is more methane in the oceans (12 trillion
pounds) than carbon dioxide in all of the fossil fuels left on
earth.Scary thought eh?

Kinda knocks the air out of carbon sequestration in the oceans, doesn't
it? 

We are facing a huge battle.  Many of the natural systems, if stressed
beyond a certain limit, go through a phase shift and change
dramatically.  For example Antarctic ice shelves tend to melt slowly for
a long time then suddenly collapse catastrophically. A few degrees
surface temperature in the Gulf makes the difference between a Cat 2 and
a Cat 5 hurricane.  Methane in the Oceans might be the same type of
system, which if it snaps could trigger runaway global warming. In that
case you'd better invest in some beachfront property in Arkansas.  

There are some who argue that Global warming is inevitable, because we
won't change fast enough, so get used to it and figure out how to cope.
I don't hold to that theory.  However, we keep talking about this like
it is the end of the world.  It isn't, it's just change on a large
scale.  Yes, we'd lose species, flood some coastal cities, and have to
get used to different weather pattterns, and all of those things are bad
and uncomfortable and I would rather avoid them.  However, even if the
worst predictions for global warming happen, our grandchildren will
still be here cussing their grandparents for being so shortsighted, but
still living out life just fine. Between Cat 5 hurricanes.  


--Lawrence Lile