Educate Us, Mitt

Mitt Romney, Global Warming Warrior

Mitt Romney wants to save the planet from hot air. "The world is getting warmer," he says:

"I believe the world is getting warmer, and I believe that humans have contributed to that," he told a crowd of about 200 at a town hall meeting in Manchester, New Hampshire.

"It's important for us to reduce our emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases that may be significant contributors."

Okay, Mitt. I know a bit about science in general ― biology, chemistry, etc. ― but I'm not a climatologist, so please educate me on your personal beliefs. I have several burning questions. (Mitt supporters, feel free to chime in.)

First let me say that I know that hundreds of scientists from scores of countries have said man-made global warming is a real threat. But I also know that science isn't determined by consensus. At one time, it was clear to all but the most feeble minds that the sun rotates around the earth. Consensus changes. But maybe the scientists of today are correct. Maybe the earth is in serious trouble.

Without further ado, here are my questions:

• How cool do you want the world to be? What is the ideal temperature for the earth?
• What are the criteria for determining the ideal temperature of the earth?
• Would a modest increase in the temperature of the planet necessarily be bad? Are there any potential benefits?
• How can we ensure that efforts to stabilize the earth's temperature don't backfire, resulting in a larger-than-intended drop in the earth's average temperature?
• At what temperature would the earth be too cold?
• Can you be sure that reductions in CO₂ emissions will result in a significant and helpful change in temperatures?
• What if industrial and automotive CO₂ emissions are cut to nearly zero and the earth continues to warm...what do we do then?
• You said that "It's not called American warming, it's called global warming." I think you're unwittingly making a very good point with that statement. What if heavily industrialized nations manage to make painful cuts in CO₂ emissions only to see those cuts dwarfed by increases in emissions by China and other developing economies?
• How long should man try to control the world's average temperature?

A. For the next hundred years?

B. For the next thousand years?

C. Forever?

• Can we be absolutely confident that global climate changes aren't mostly the result of that giant fireball in the sky ― you know ― the sun?
• Scientists are very good at using statistical analysis to calculate certainty. Approximately how certain are we that we have the correct answers to global warming questions?

A. 50 percent?

B. 80 percent?

C. 95 percent?

Isn't it necessary to answer the questions above before we try to fashion expensive, untested solutions?

Mitt, please provide answers.

EXTRA CREDIT:

• Tell us what you think about alternative solutions to global warming (e.g., sulphur dioxide).

X-posted

BONUS:

What to Think about Global Warming