Expert: Allan Yeomans - 3/3/2009

Question
Dear Mr. Yeomans,

I am a middle school student and am researching the theory of global
warming.  I have 15 questions that I need to be answered by an expert.  
Would it be possible for you to answer the following questions?  Thank you
very much for your time and please respond.

1.   What is the main reason for global warming?   
2.   Are we humans causing global warming?
3.   Which country causes the most pollution?
4.   Is us humans polluting the main reason for global warming?
5.   Do you think global warming will stop anytime soon?
6.   If global warming doesn’t stop soon will there be another ice age?
7.   Is there any way to stop global warming?
8.   How is global warming going to affect us in the future?
9.   Are scientists thinking of ways to stop global warming?
10.   Does anyone know when our ozone layer will disappear?
11.   If we stop polluting will global warming stop?
12.   How long has global warming been a threat?
13.   If we use more solar power energy will there be less pollution?
14.   Are there any other alternatives instead of burning coal?
15.   Can global warming be a good thing?  

Answer
Hi Joshua

 First understand, global warming is not a theory, that is unless you want to sell coal and petroleum and agrochemical and then you say it’s still a theory. Go to my web site at www.yeomansplow.com.au  It’s all there.
 
But to answer your specific questions-----

1. What is the main reason for global warming?

The only significant reason is us burning fossil fuels for power.

2. Are we humans causing global warming?

Same answer as One

3. Which country causes the most pollution?

Historically Europe and the United States caused the buildup in greenhouse gasses. Now China and India are as big a contributor.

4. Is us humans polluting the main reason for global warming?

Same answer as One.

5. Do you think global warming will stop anytime soon?

Unless we do what I say at my web site, and in my book, my writings and my lectures, global warming will continue for at least many centuries and human society will be in a turmoil for probably a thousand years or more.

6. If global warming doesn’t stop soon will there be another ice age?

Northern Europe could freeze over but that’s a local thing and would be caused by the oceanic conveyor slowing of stopping. (It brings warm tropical water to the North Atlantic and warms Europe.) Otherwise no way.

7. Is there any way to stop global warming?

Sure. We stop using fossil carbon materials for energy, (That’s coal, oil and gas.) And we put the companies and the countries that market the stuff out of business. We do three things.

We replace them with by switching  to biofuels grown in tropical rainforest lands for transport.
We switch predominately to nuclear energy for industrial power.
And lastly, and this was a concept I originated and promoted in lectures, both in the US and here in Australia, starting back in the late 1980s. Thankfully it’s now at last becoming almost the flavor of the month in global warming debates. And that is, we switch to organic type agriculture that by its nature absorbs carbon dioxide out of the air by manufacturing fertile soil.

8. How is global warming going to affect us in the future?

We here in Australia are having terrible bush fires in the south and terrible floods in the north. You in the US are having crazy and distructive weather everywhere, from what I read. A couple of hundred thousand people died recently in Burma. New Orleans wasn’t just bad luck. It was global warming in action. The future will get worse.

9. Are scientists thinking of ways to stop global warming?

Sure : just the way economists are thinking of ways to stop the world financial meltdown. But irrespective what the economists dream up the financial system will eventually self correct. It’s just a matter of how long it will take. Not so with global warming. If we don’t act now and really go to war with the fossil fuel pushers the phenomena will become utterly irreversible within the next couple of years or so. And humans can write off the next few hundred years up to maybe a thousand years.

10. Does anyone know when our ozone layer will disappear?

It won’t ever disappear. It’s been with us for millions of years. We have just made it worse but we are well on the way of fixing that problem. If not today at least in a few years. It’s not a serious threat to humanity in general.

11. If we stop polluting will global warming stop?

Already answered.

12. How long has global warming been a threat?

Probably recognized as a threat for fifty years or more. Problem is it’s no longer a threat, it’s an accelerating reality.

13. If we use more solar power energy will there be less pollution?

Solar power won’t make the slightest bit of difference. It’s an impractical gimmick to have you believe a solution is there for us to take. That’s to keep us buying fossil fuels.

14. Are there any other alternatives instead of burning coal?

Sure, but already answered.

15. Can global warming be a good thing?

Global warming is about the same, and about as costly as another World War. And people do make money during a war, gun manufactures, people who make bandages, but it’s not a choice most of us want to take.