The relevant period is the last 10,000 years, a period of unusual climate stability. And I've also indicated, in this thread, the CO2 range of variability over the past 640,000 years. We are 30% out of that range (on the high side) now. Otherwise, understanding paleoclimate helps scientists understand current influences on climate, but is not directly comparable.
CO2 levels are dependent on many things besides just how many cars we're driving around, or how many lumps of coal we're burning. That's the point I am trying to make: that no one can say that human activity is responsible, and to start trying to change our behavior to change CO2 levels is absurd.
There are multiple lines of evidence indicating that increasing CO2 in the atmosphere is due to human activity. Look at post 91, and you can even calculate the ppm annual change due to 656 Megatons annual CO2 emissions (but be careful because there may be unit conversions). There are other ways of proving it -- the Suess effect, stable carbon isotope dilution, is one way.
I agree with your final sentence. But... I say that changing our behavior and our energy infrastructure to reduce the economy's dependence on foreign oil is NOT absurd. I think that it's the prudent and patriotic thing to do, just as you and I would have gladly rationed a host of commodities to support the war effort during WWII.
I couldn't agree with you more on that! Unfortunately, that is not what most of the global warming hysteria is really about, that isn't its true objective.
Reducing dependence on foreign sources of energy is tangible, the costs of being dependent on foreign sources are provable, etc. The same cannot be said of "global warming".
In the two years directly after WWII more of the previously rationed goods were consumed than the entire period of the war - pent-up demand is a part of capitalism, to deny it is to invite socialism.
About three months ago my neighbor used up what was left of a gallon of old paint in his garage and put a thin coat on the deck the previous owner had installed.
Last month he put the house up for sale.
Today, after the rain, I noticed that almost all of the white paint had washed away in the meantime.
"to reduce the economy's dependence on foreign oil is NOT absurd. I think that it's the prudent and patriotic thing to do"
This is so bogus. Why do you not think it is downright PATRIOTIC to suck every single ounce of foreign oil into our gas tanks at a measly $75/barrel? Why isn't it PATRIOTIC to deprive the Islamic nations of the Middle East of their only asset other than sand? Why isn't it PATRIOTIC to preserve ALL our own oil until we burn off everyone elses? It is PATRIOTIC and PRUDENT to do just that.
It is not Patriotic to conserve hostile government's oil. Think cogitator! That argument sounds like a DU talking point.
Why spend a trillion dollars to try to lower the temperature 1 degree? Warmer temperatures will cause Canada to flourish and will give me a second shot at a beachfront home. I hope you are right about rising temperatures.
ampu