A few thoughts occur to me on this. 1. I have heard many ultraenvironmentalists sending out this line of reasoning over the years, and have heard them say that they are absolutely sure we are in serious trouble, and that it is all man's fault. Many say they would be their life on it, 100% certainty. Why then, does no one ever want to take me up on my wager?
The Wager: A. If it turns out that we are truly doomed from what we have been/are doing re: CO2 emissions, then the ultraenvironmentalists win the wager, and we all die by default. B. If it turns out that we are not doomed, that the whole situation was overblown and used as a nice moneymaker and powergatherer by some, and that the warming (if any in the long run) does not cause serious damage at all, or worse, we end up in an ice age that might have been technologically preventable, then those who were the most vocal and public sources of restrictions on technological societies and industrialization must report for termination within 1 year's time. This will in turn, help them win one point: with less mouths to feed, we will have more to go around to those who are left. Quite logical I think. C. If it turns out that we are in big trouble, but stave it off by massive cutbacks on XYZ, then we all win by default. Am I really being serious? No. But it is telling that people who are so certain, will not take up the wager. Then, by definition, they must not have been completely certain. 2. CO2 is the big target at the moment. When we switch to hydrogen-fired cars, how long do you bet it will take before there is a big "green" push to limit H2O vapor emissions? 3. Horace mentioned Iran and possible nuclear war. As an American, I propose that if Iran develops nuclear weapons, that we do not intervene, and that we allow them to develop the warheads themselves, the delivery systems, and ultimately to use them against whoever they wish. Then after someone gets a second sunrise, we can safely say "Yes, it indeed appears that Iran had Weapons of Mass Destruction." </Sarcasm> 4. WILL WORK FOR LAND/PRESSURE DOME ON MOON. Or Mars. Even Titan would be pretty nice. 5. Why aren't the ultraenvironmentalists pushing for LENR/CANR like mad? 6. I do not trust "big oil", nor do I trust "big green". Both are liars, and will do anything to get their respective ways. Mark my words, things are not as they seem. 7. And no, before it is suggested, I am neither Republican, nor do I like Bush. I am independant, vote for who I think is the least detrimental, and hope for the day when we really do all live together in peace. All the best, --Kyle