Half-Baked

We are experiencing record breaking heat throughout the US.

Communities are looking at ways to keep their present energy consumption levels unchanged into the next decade. (As opposed to increasing energy use, at least keep it static.)

I'm not really sure how keeping energy consumption at the present level is going to help considering the present levels are causing the problems. So its actually keeping the status quo which in itself is too high. The task is to reduce usage not keep it the same.

I found this on the BBC: Rich 'can pay poor to cut carbon'

The UN's binding global climate agreement, the Kyoto Protocol, currently requires industrialised nations to reduce the majority of emissions themselves.

But Mr de Boer said this was illogical, adding that the scale of the problem facing the world meant that countries should be allowed to invest in emission cuts wherever in the world it was cheapest.

The wealthy nations have made fortunes on the backs of third world countries, now the idea is coming forth to limit greenhouse gasses coming from third world countries. This is so that industrialized nations can maintain their greenhouse gas output at present levels and probably more. Hey, if the strategy can work to make you rich, why not use it to buy a pass on global warming.

Climate change around the world

Here are a few calculated predictions about how global warming will affect North America

Warming in western mountains is very likely to reduce snowpack, bringing more floods in winter and reduced water supplies in summer.

Increases in problems with pests, diseases and forest fires are likely.

Cities with a history of heat waves are likely to experience many more, with potential health impacts, especially for the elderly.

Rising sea levels, severe weather and storm surges, combined with population growth in coastal areas, are very likely to increase economic losses.

Painting - 'Chowderhead' by Bob Dob