As I’ve been trying to get to the bottom of the climate change debate I found the videos produced by Potholer54 a real help.
A science correspondent with 20 years experience, and a degree in geology, he states:
The main purpose of this channel is to explain in simple terms the conclusions of scientific research and correct some of the unsourced crap you get fed on the Internet. For a basic understanding of how we got here — from the Big Bang to the human migration out of Africa — please see my “Made Easy” series. For an understanding of what causes climate change, and a debunk of some of the ridiculous claims from both proponents and skeptics, please see my Climate Change playlist.
Here’s an example of the common sense approach he takes. After numerous reports were splashed over the internet claiming there has been no global warming since 1995, Potholer54 looks at where the claims came from and whether the information is reliable:
So, from a headline in the Daily Mail stating:
Climategate U-Turn as scientist at centre of row admits: There has been no global warming since 1995
We find that Phil Jones actually stated that the warming is statistically insignificant over such a small period of time.
Trying to get to the truth is difficult, but sticking to the science and not headlines seems the most sensible option for me.
Finally, I’ve decided what I’m going to do with this blog.
Having experienced the sometimes fierce debate about whether anthropogenic global warming is happening on a recent post on my Renegade Conservatory Guy blog, I’ve become increasing interested in the topic.
To be honest, I’m not sure whether humans are responsible for runaway global warming, but it seems to me that the implications of not doing anything and getting it wrong, is far worse than doing something and getting it wrong.
The following image pretty much sums up how I feel on the subject:
Even if AGW is not happening, it seems to me that the actions that ‘warmists’ are encouraging humans to adopt are very sensible policies anyway. With the aid of Canbanjo, an architect who stumbled across my RCG blog, I’ve been trying to read up as much as I can. Understanding the technicalities is difficult for me, so I have chosen to accept that the majority of scientists must be listened to.
As well as the above picture, I also felt this video on Youtube brought home to me the importance of action:
I’ve never really got this blog started, for a number of reasons.
I run another blog ‘Renegade Conservatory Guy’ which I spend a lot of time working on, and in a sense is a ‘Matthew Glover blog’. However, it’s an on-topic blog for people involved in the double glazing industry, and not really about my life at all.
There’s also time commitments, as I run a business, have a family etc etc. So, there doesn’t really seem to be very much spare time for putting towards another project.
However, I’m wondering whether I could quietly write a blog/diary about my thoughts and feelings, and not publicise it to the world. Why shouldn’t I? I spend far too much time wondering about what other people think, rather than just getting on with what I want.
Things are changing in my life, and maybe this blog can be a symbol of it.
So, I’m going to try keep this updated every day or so, and let’s see how it goes. No promises.
I was interested to read an article on the Guardian website about the US strategy for fighting climate change and the recession at the same time.
It is nice to see that with a new President and administration in the world’s largest economy is finally waking up to the potential threat of climate change. Like most normal people on the planet, I have to rely on the various research studies and media coverage to come to my own opinion on climate change and global warming. I have listened to the thoughts of those clearly worried by the threat, and listened to the skeptics and tend to believe that climate change is more than likely occurring.
My worry with pumping billions of dollars into new projects, such as wind farms and new underground systems is that CO2 is created by that very exercise. I recently had a meeting with a company wishing to start selling solar panels to our company. It seemed to me that the amount of savings people could make through a lower fuel bill and less emmissions was negligable, and when I asked how much CO2 would be created during the manufacture and installation of them, I didn’t get a straight answer.
It is great that Governments are finally starting to think and act on climate change, but my concern is the continuous obsession with economic growth in the world will mean that such measures make little difference. I hope I’m wrong.
With the population growing at a rapid rate, and the desire of developing countries to have all the luxuries of the Western world I fear that humanity will lose the battle. As an individual I listen to all the news and show concern, but I have been mostly inactive myself. I feel helpless to act in a meaningful way as I’m just one person on a planet with billions of people who don’t necessarily share the same concerns.
The following video was used as a promotional video for the GlassTalk event I helped organise in March 2008. Renegade Conservatory Guy is an identity I created nearly two years ago, and has been the inspiration for creating my own personal blog.
I’ve made so many new friends, contacts and customers through the general nonsense I add to my RCG blog. Anyway, here’s an idea of the type of stuff I’ve been writing about:
It only seems right that the first post I add to my new blog should include my wonderful family.
These pictures were taken last week for promotional images of an orangery installation in the Cheshire area.
Firstly, let me introduce my beautiful wife. Here she is reading Cheshire Life with a glass of wine and pretending to be looking at something interesting:
Alison Glover
I have two sons - George and Harry - who are both equally photogenic. And they love their mum! The following picture shows George giving his mum a cuddle:
Alison and George
Harry doesn’t like to miss out on a cuddle with his mum either:
Alison and Harry
And, the following image shows George and Harry doing what they enjoy most - playing football!
Harry and George playing football
This is just an initial post so I can learn how to add images. More exciting posts to follow…
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