Climate Change and You: Facts and Myths

By Roger McCallum

Explore the facts and myths surrounding climate change, thanks to research by Roger McCallum.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roger McCallum
• Release date: May 2, 2024
• ISBN: 9781068832116

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Climate Change and You

Facts and Myths

Climate Change and You

Facts and Myths

Roger McCallum

Copyright 2024, Roger McCallum

Print Book: ISBN # 978-1-0688321-2-3

E-Book: ISBN # 978-1-0688321-1-6

Printed by lulu.com

Table of Contents

Introduction

1) CO2 by the numbers. Where does it come from

and where does it go?

2) What controls the weather

3) Why do we use fossil fuel

4) Poor performance of ‘green’ energy production

5) Another look at nuclear energy

6) What is net-zero?

7) The cost of a throwaway society

8) Where do we go from here?

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Appendix 3

Appendix 4

Introduction

The weather is not what it used to be. The climate is changing, and we are going to have to make the most of it. This article explores the impact you have on our climate, and the idea that we can control the climate by adopting green energy solutions.

To begin with, 80% of the world’s energy is supplied by fossil fuel. Fossil fuel consumption has increased every year since the 60’s. There is the impression that green energy is on the brink of taking over. This is a misconception. After 20 years of promotion, green power has not reduced the rate of increase in global consumption of fossil fuels.

Our society is completely dependent on fossil fuel and that energy source is running out. We are not doing a very good job of finding a replacement. In spite of this major problem, international attention has not been devoted to developing a solution. Our attention has been focused on the symptom.

We are focusing on reducing CO2 emissions. The focus should be on finding a replacement for fossil fuel.

Many people will state with certainty that CO2 (carbon dioxide) causes climate change and we have to think of future generations. If we run out of the energy source that supports our civilization before we find a viable alternate, climate change will be the least of our descendants’ problems. Finding an energy source to reduce fossil fuel consumption will, as a side effect, lower CO2 emissions.

Replacing fossil fuel is a collective problem to which there is a solution. The solution does not require massive new public spending, or new tax. It simply requires a re-orientation of policy.

The idea that CO2 is going to destroy the world and is the root of all evil is, in my opinion, an exaggeration. I see CO2 and its association with climate change designed more to separate you from your money than as a solution to a global problem. We are going down a road paved with good intentions. People who have an interest in your money just need to give the good intentions a little nudge from time to time.

The sections that follow will explain my point of view supported by facts. The data presented in this article is available to anyone. You are welcome to check my numbers. Sample calculations and any assumptions appear in the appendices.

1) CO2 by the numbers. Where does it come from and where does it go?

Almost all fauna (animals) inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide¹. CO2 is released when plant matter rots, which is essentially worms and bacteria breathing. CO2 is produced when wood, plant mater, or fossil fuel combines with oxygen and burns. The largest source and sink (place where CO2 goes) is geological. CO2 finds its way into sedimentary rocks like limestone, and is eventually released by volcanoes. It is also released when we heat limestone to make cement.

CO2 does not stay in the atmosphere. All flora (plants) from trees to algae in water absorb CO2. Using energy from the sun, plants use the carbon in carbon dioxide to make cellulose and other plant matter. The process called photosynthesis. Oxygen removed from carbon dioxide is released