> who's nuts now?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2012/feb/06/bill-gates-climate-...
I am firmly opposed to geoenineering. My only post that mentions it is
this one:
http://tinyurl.com/7d38dze
reviewing, at your request, a movie alleging chemtrails. In passing I
mentioned a proposed geoengineering project that was defeated. The
text is appended below.
Tashi's (J. Michael Thames's = Green Tea's) response in the same
thread concluded with
"Thanks for taking a look, and thanks for not jumping on the band
wagon and calling people who are investigating this "crazy". "
Now that your memory on the subject is refreshed, any further claim
that I think news of proposals for geoengineering are just a
conspiracy theory will be a God-damned lie.
RNJ
The post:
Okay, I finished the movie. First let me amend my comment that it is
journalism. Journalism would at least mention opposing views like
this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemtrail_conspiracy_theory
But the movie does not. It is not journalism, it is advocacy. Nothing
wrong with that. People ought to advocate their beliefs if they are
important.
I have little doubt that geo-engineering is being studied. Several
years ago there was a serious proposal to introduce finely divided
iron into the ocean to promote the growth of plankton. The
proliferated plankton would sequester carbon dioxide, a greenhouse
gas. An immediate cry of protest arose against the artificial
introduction of iron. For example the increased turbidity of the
plankton-enhanced water would destroy any coral reef it was swept
over
by wind and current. The iron scheme was abandoned.
The movie promotes aluminum particles as an efficient means of
introducing reflective material into the atmosphere. Actually
aluminized glass spheres, the reflective material of highway signs,
tons of which are already present in the environment, would be
lighter, and just as effective.
http://tinyurl.com/27vefl3
The movie presents evidence of high aluminum concentrations in snow
on
and water near Mount Shasta in California, and alterations in soil
acidity. Later the amount is misstated. During the Hawaii segment it
is said that 61,000 parts per billion of aluminum is 61,000 times the
quantity that should prompt government action. In fact the guideline
is stated as one part per million, not one part per billion, so the
excess is overstated by a factor of 1,000. Just a nit. A factor of 61
is alarming enough. Its cause should be investigated, beyond a doubt.
The logical leap comes in the interview with the Belgian former
mayor.
He says we have “scientific proof that we are being sprayed”.
Assuming
the aluminum concentrations are correct, we have scientific proof of
aluminum contamination, but no scientific proof that it comes from
spraying by aircraft.
People say that water and ice don’t behave the way aircraft
condensation trails do. They say ice falls from the sky. Not
necessarily so. During periods of fluctuating tradewinds in the
Central Pacific, I observed the formation and persistence of high
altitude cirrus clouds. Ice crystals form, spread and remain
suspended
at high altitude for days.
Aluminum immediately forms a tough coating of insoluble oxide when
exposed to air. Aluminum particles introduced into the environment
will persist for a long time. None are exhibited in the movie. Even
if
found on the ground, it’s not proven that particles are coming from a
secret government program of aircraft spraying, although that would
certainly be a strong suspicion.
The aluminum concentrations are indeed alarming. To prove that it
comes from aircraft, why not go after the smoking gun? Anyone can buy
a weather balloon, a cylinder of helium and a pressure regulator to
inflate it, an air sampling rig such as those sold for collecting
mold
spores, and a simple barometric drop device to release the sampler
after it has reached its operational altitude. A cheap GPS and
transmitter would enable finding it after it drops. Go up into the
suspected chemtrails, and prove they contain particles.
If you want more control, build a drone to carry the air sampler
precisely where you want it. The Air Force drones cost $millions. But
you could build a high altitude drone with materials from a hobby
shop, including packaged radio control rigs. It could be done for a
few $thousand. If you believe that planes are spraying aluminum, you
ought to get busy proving it, not jumping to the conclusion that it’s
where it’s coming from.
I return the Scottish verdict, “Not proven”. I don’t say chemtrails
are definitely not happening. But I do say it’s not proven that they
are.
RNJ