[UCANSEE2]

I need help understanding why the Second Law of Thermodynamics is “proof” that this scam is a scam.

IIRC, the 2nd law involves the conservation of energy.

Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. All the energy we have comes from the Sun. CO2 can't 'create' heat, and can't be to blame for increased or decreased energy from the Sun.

Or I could be completely wrong.

[ClearCase_guy]

2nd Law covers inevitable entropy within a closed system: energy doesn't come from nothing and will eventually decrease. This is why perpetual motion is impossible.

But if the Sun burns fuel and produces heat, and then radiates that heat to Earth, then the Earth's temperature is not quite a closed system. Certainly it could be a system in equilibrium if the heat added to Earth by the Sun equals the heat lost to radiation into space. But that's the issue, isn't it?

If man does something to increase our heat retention, then the constant addition of solar radiation might cause global temperatures to rise. I do not see how the Second Law of Thermodynamics would make such a possibility impossible.

Now, let me be clear: I do not believe that mankind is capable of increasing the heat retention of the world. I think we are in equilibrium and that we will stay in equilibrium. That's my opinion.

I don't see why the Second Law is relevant at all -- but perhaps I'm missing something.

[Mr Rogers]

Good question. The sun could increase or decrease its output, and the earth could retain more or less of that output, without the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics having anything to do with it.