We need more open discussion on global warming

I told myself this is not my debate, that it is for others. But recent articles in the Tribune regarding global warming and uranium mining have compelled me to write.

There is consensus among scientist that Earth's temperature is increasing -- approximately 0.5 degrees Celsius since 1900. However, scientific data over a longer period of time indicates current temperatures are at a 3,000-year average. There also is a consensus that carbon dioxide concentrations in the Earth's atmosphere have increased in the past 100 years. Human industrial CO2 production, primarily from the use of coal, oil and natural gas, has contributed to this increase, but there is no consensus on what effect this increase has had on Earth's temperature.

A petition circulating among scientists states "there is no convincing scientific evidence that human release of carbon dioxide, methane, or other greenhouse gasses is causing or will, in the foreseeable future, cause catastrophic heating of the Earth's atmosphere and disruption of the Earth's climate." The petition is accompanied by a 2007 Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons article titled "Environmental Effects of Increased Atmospheric Carbon" (www.oism.org/pproject). The petition has been signed by more than 20,000 American scientists.

As a scientist, I have been following the global warming debate and have found the discussion one-sided. I found the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons article to be a nice compilation of scientific data. I encourage those interested to read the article.

There is strong scientific evidence that surface temperature correlates to solar activity and therefore is highly regulated by the sun. There is scientific evidence that Earth has warmed and cooled many times without human influence. The current debate centers around the question: How has the increase in atmospheric CO2 because of human industrial activities impacted Earth's temperature? Greenhouse gases (including water vapor, CO2 and methane) are known to impact the Earth's temperature through a process known as the Greenhouse Gas Effect. In essence, greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere decrease the amount of net escape of thermal irradiation.

It is logical to assume that an increase in atmospheric CO2 concentration would decrease the amount of heat that escapes, thereby increasing Earth's temperature. However, CO2 is considered a minor greenhouse gas; water vapor is far more important. There is scientific evidence that an increase in atmospheric CO2 has minimal effect on Earth's temperature. Other processes are much more influential.

Much of the fatalistic conclusions are based on climate modeling. Model input parameters are the subject of much debate, as are the model results. Currently, it is politically correct to be anti-industry, and politics control scientific funding. So, we don't read or hear much of the opposing side. We need more open and honest discussions of the effect a ban on the use of carbon energy sources will have on the American economy.

Furthermore, the United States is a wealthy nation because it has an abundance of natural resources. Colorado's history is steeped in the quest for natural resources. Because of our accumulated wealth, we have adopted an attitude of "not in my back yard." This attitude has resulted in the diminished use of our own natural resources and increased our dependence on foreign oil. Now we find too many bad governments have a stranglehold on us.

As an environmental consultant, I support efforts to find cleaner energy sources. I am very aware of negative impacts industries have on the environment, but mining operations and the regulatory oversight imposed on them have improved significantly. Therefore, I support uranium mining in northern Colorado, as long as the regulatory process is properly implemented.

Kate Power lives in Greeley and holds degrees in geology and geophysics. She has 28 years of experience in the environmental industry and currently is a senior environmental consultant for the Department of the Interior.