Document text
- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels June 3, 2004 More to global warming issue Contrary to the belief of Doug Forsythe (Letter to the Editor, May 14), the consensus opinion of more than 1,000 knowledgeable scientists from 99 countries, as stated in the report "Climate Change 2001" by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, is that most of the global climate warming over the last 100 years is due to increased greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere. They considered other, naturally occurring causes of climate change, such as changes in solar radiance and major volcanic eruptions, and concluded that these cannot account for the global average temperature increase of 1.2 degrees Fahrenheit. This conclusion is based both on examining the temperature record for the last 1,000 years using proxy as well as observed data and on the use of sophisticated numerical models of the Earth's climate system. The warming has occurred despite increased sulfate and other particulate matter in the atmosphere which, if all else were unchanged, would result in climatic cooling. The climate models predict that further warming will occur if greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continue to increase. The consensus is that temperatures will rise by an additional 4 to 6 degrees F (and up to 10 degrees in northern polar regions) by the year 2100 if we continue to consume fossil fuels without restrictions. The effects of such warming will be much more pronounced that what we have seen so far. In particular sea level, already showing a small increase over much of the globe, will continue to rise and eventually cause serious flooding of low-lying coastal areas, insect-borne diseases and agricultural pests now largely confined to the tropics will spread to higher latitudes given warmer conditions, and some continental interiors, such as the U.S. Great Plains, are likely to experience an increased frequency of droughts. See the IPCC report, available at the SOU library, for details. Kenneth H. Bergman Former climate scientist with NASA, now retired Ashland All's right with the world today I was driving down Highway 99 near Ashland, Oregon, worrying about the length of the war in Iraq and what to do about the separation of church and state, and could America survive many more blows to the environment, when I saw a young man riding his unicycle - Juggling (!) nonchalantly as he rode and I realized - All's right with the world! Man, you made my day! Jan Acord Talent A note of thanks to Loren Luman In the coming month, Ashland School District No.5 will lose the services of Loren Luman who has been the business manager of the district for more than 30 years. Loren will retire quietly into a much deserved life free of the demanding tasks he shouldered during that time. Having worked alongside Loren in the district office for 16 of those years I am fully aware of his skills and the exceptional contributions he made in the management of the district budget and physical assets - each demanding an ability to listen thoughtfully to the needs and concerns of board members, budget committee members, principals, maintenance and grounds workers, bus drivers etc. In his own inimical way he was able to keep a very busy office staff focused on their individual responsibilities while working creatively as a team to do with less as changing times necessitated. Loren was a great friend of public education and of all who had the opportunity and pleasure to work in this fine school district. He will be remembered. Bill Moore Ashland Urging support for Mehia An article in the Tidings (May 17) about the young man who is facing a court martial on a desertion charge because he left his unit in Iraq convinced the war was about control of oil and upset over the "great cruelty" he saw against Iraqi prisoners alerts people of the peace movement that we now need to support him. Three things we can do: Write to him at S. Sgt. Camilo Mejia, A Company, USAG Med-Hold, 865 Hase Road, Ft. Stewart, GA 31315. Write to Major Gen. Wm. Webster, Commanding Gen. Ft Stewart, 42 Wayne Place, Ft. Stewart GA 31314. Visit the web site www.citizen-soldier.org. We can also write to our local newspapers encouraging them to follow up on this young man's future. He is one of the bravest. It is much easier to decry the war when we are not in it. He is a hero and must not be left dangling. And to you, S. Sgt. Mehia, thank you so much. I pray that more follow your courageous path and "give peace a chance." You may sleep at night knowing you have affirmed life. Blessings. Jill Iles Talent DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams