A response to Mr. Ed Calkins” article published in the Record-Bee, Dec. 19., Murphy”s Law is very much alive and active. Whenever an individual enters in a field that educational background does not support them it”s almost certain it will backfire. Bigotry, blunder, accusation of innocent people without any facts is a disgrace, nuisance to humanity, and lack of intelligence.
I value freedom of expression more than anyone could imagine. I walked days and nights to escape from communist country in search of freedom. Thanks to my adopted country U.S.A. that saved my life, accepted me to be one of you, and I am proud to be an American.
I have been privileged to be a part of many branches of our science, including patents issued in my name. There is a vast unexplored field that you could fit in and write about, just stay away from science, it is not your field, and you do not have a slightest idea about the subject you wrote. I encourage people to write, express your opinions with kindness, not with words of discontent.
We all have something good to offer, instead we punch with such impunity against the innocent people. I wish I could be more polite but under this circumstance I cannot be.
NASA does not receive grants. There is no scam or fraud involved. NASA has budget (funds) received on yearly basis for the advancement of general science, which is the technological health of our country. NASA, in its entire fifty years of history received by far, “less” funds for the atmospheric science research including manufacturing cost of all satellites relating to atmospheric science, than Exxon-Mobil made in its first quarter profits in 2008 alone, excluding tax credits.
Guess who put it to us at $4.00 plus per gallon of gas? Global warming is real; it is already here, and those who call it “scam and fraud” live in an illusionary world of blindness, in the darkness of yesterday, and fearful to accept present reality. We have experienced Katrina, and 60 tornados over State of Oklahoma in one single day in 2008. How bad will it get in the future is beyond our ability to forecast.
A short but useful lecture free of charge. The Sun is not a major factor in controlling temperature on the planet Earth, and never was. You just got a little bit confused. The atmosphere of the planet Earth is the major factor of temperature control. Without the atmosphere there would be no life, as we know on Earth, just a bare planet.
The Sun, the atmosphere, and planet”s electro magnetic forces are providing us with a moderate climate, also protects us from high-energy radiation and the frigid vacuum of space; therefore enables life on our planet Earth. The Sun”s nuclear explosions disperse its energy into the vast interplanetary space. We call it solar winds. As it reaches our atmosphere, the harmful radiation (ultraviolet rays) is filtrated.
What is atmosphere? Atmosphere is a blanket of gases, known as “air.” It starts from the Earth”s surface and reaches an altitude of over 348 miles high. The first layer of our atmosphere is called the Troposphere; it extends from surface of the Earth to about 5 to 9 miles high. Let”s put North Pole and South Pole at 5 miles, and Equator at 9 miles.
Troposphere is the most dense layer of the atmosphere, and almost all weather is in this section. The temperature in the upper layer of troposphere reaches as low as -50 degree Celsius. Next is Tropopause; a thin layer that separates troposphere from the next layer.
This next layer is called the Stratosphere; and extends to an altitude of about 31 miles high. This part of the atmosphere is dry and less dense. Ozone is located in the stratosphere. The Ozone layer absorbs and scatters the solar ultraviolet radiation.
About 99% of air is located in the troposphere and stratosphere, two very important layers of the atmosphere. Temperature in stratosphere is at -3 degree Celsius. Next is the Stratopause.
A layer that separates stratosphere from the next layer called Mesosphere; the temperature here is as low as -93 degree Celsius. Mesosphere extends to altitude of about 53 miles high. The chemicals here are in an excited state, as they absorb energy from the Sun.
Next again is Mesopause; separates the mesosphere from the next layer called Thermosphere. The thermosphere is basically the end of our atmosphere. The temperature here is very high as you increase in altitude due to the Sun”s energy. Chemical reactions occur much faster than on Earth. Beyond the Atmosphere is Exosphere; and extends until it merges with interplanetary space.
Global warming occurs due to over saturated atmosphere, mainly Carbon Dioxide (C02,), but not limited to C02. The other industrial pollutants also ends up in the atmosphere and some particles penetrate into stratosphere and damages the Ozone, specifically at North and South Poles.
Ice is melting and ocean levels are rising. Since our planet is polluted, rivers, lakes, and oceans are polluted as well. Ocean temperature is rising, and water evaporates, adding more toxins to the atmosphere. The more particles escape to the stratosphere, the more damage is done to the Ozone. It”s an endless cycle. The heat is retained in lower layer of the troposphere. We cannot stop global warming. We did the damage to Mother Nature, and she is backfiring on us.
We cannot reverse the process, what we can do is to prevent further and more serious damage done to it, before there is no return, and that would be more likely the end of humanity, as we know it today. To blame global warming on present economical status is another state of mind illusions. Wise up and be kind to humanity. Be kind to our grand and great-grandchildren as they need oxygen to breathe and a safe place to live.
Global warming did not start yesterday, scientists were screaming at our government way back in the 60”s. Unfortunately, there were no ears to hear our cry.
Dr. John Zebelean is a resident of Lucerne. Opinions are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Lake County Record-Bee or its management.
