possibilities of a megadrought (Sacramento: how much, vs, agriculture)

[docmcstuffin]

Originally Posted by Jenkay

Atmospheric dynamics are complicated, VERY complicated, so trying to narrow the concept of a whole huge systemic shift down to a single easy-to-relate-to term for joe public is kind of hard.

Climate change is the preferred term because most people can't wrap their heads around the fact that a rise in the average global temperature would mean colder and more severe winters in some areas, and drought and heat in others, and more frequent ice storms in others, and more or less rain in others. People would hear "warming" and then stop listening, or not actually care enough to comprehend, then throw a fit when it's actually colder than normal where they live. Just like "El Niño". It turns into a buzzword that nobody understands but everyone's an expert on because some folks were yelling at each other on CNN about it.

**Only commenting on the terminology, not whether I think climate change is real or not, because I do not feel like debating that point here.

I agree with you that atmospheric dynamics are very complicated. To wrap such a complicated subject in terms like "global warming" or "climate change" is not very good IMHO. I would much rather they call it atmospheric dynamics. Then it can't be used politically to convince J6pack.

[Jenkay]

Originally Posted by docmcstuffin

I agree with you that atmospheric dynamics are very complicated. To wrap such a complicated subject in terms like "global warming" or "climate change" is not very good IMHO. I would much rather they call it atmospheric dynamics. Then it can't be used politically to convince J6pack.

Atmospheric dynamics is what happens in the atmosphere all the time, and what drives the climate system. The terminology we're discussing involves describing a shift or change in the climate system due to a change or shift in one or more of the (in this case, chemical) factors that drives atmospheric dynamics, so using "atmospheric dynamics" to describe that shift or change would not be appropriate.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by TristramShandy

Isn't there some pretty nasty residue that comes from desalination plants? I think I remember reading that years ago - - I always thought that that would be the solution for the coast, but if I remember correctly, there were some real negatives to what was left after making the potable water.

A possible solution could be to remove it to places already so salty naturally nothing lives, like parts of Utah. Or mid-Ocean in the area that the plastic congregates already in the Pacific but I've also read that is an area that may be used by certain fish to spawn.



signed,

Joe6pk

[docmcstuffin]

Originally Posted by Jenkay

Atmospheric dynamics is what happens in the atmosphere all the time, and what drives the climate system. The terminology we're discussing involves describing a shift or change in the climate system due to a change or shift in one or more of the (in this case, chemical) factors that drives atmospheric dynamics, so using "atmospheric dynamics" to describe that shift or change would not be appropriate.

My point is, the terminology should be complicated to convey the complexity of the problem. I'm not trying to say I know what's the best term we should use. But I know "global warming" and "climate change" aren't it. Terms like "global warming" and "climate change" doesn't do anything other than to give J6pack and politician a talking point. What's the point to the term "climate change" when every single point in the history of the earth, climate has been changing.

[docmcstuffin]

Originally Posted by TristramShandy

Isn't there some pretty nasty residue that comes from desalination plants? I think I remember reading that years ago - - I always thought that that would be the solution for the coast, but if I remember correctly, there were some real negatives to what was left after making the potable water.

I'm pretty sure we'll find a way to solve that problem. Can't we package that into sea salt and sell it to negate some of the cost of building that plan?

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Solving the brine issue:


Tiny new solar power desalination plant solves gigantic salt problem.

[tickyul]

NOPE, if it gets that bad they will just start building desalination plants.

[Jenkay]

Originally Posted by docmcstuffin

My point is, the terminology should be complicated to convey the complexity of the problem. I'm not trying to say I know what's the best term we should use. But I know "global warming" and "climate change" aren't it. Terms like "global warming" and "climate change" doesn't do anything other than to give J6pack and politician a talking point. What's the point to the term "climate change" when every single point in the history of the earth, climate has been changing.

See, I disagree. I think "climate change" is a pretty accurate description. Perhaps with a modifier, so that people can't pretend that they don't know what it's referring to and use "but climate is always changing" reply as a snarky refutation? Like "modern climate change" or something?

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by Jenkay

See, I disagree. I think "climate change" is a pretty accurate description. Perhaps with a modifier, so that people can't pretend that they don't know what it's referring to and use "but climate is always changing" reply as a snarky refutation? Like "modern climate change" or something?

This makes far more sense.

In all matters of pop culture and general media chatter, 'modern climate change' sounds totally feasible.

I think where I shut off is when chatter that the 'sky is falling' boils down to picking a side. Finger pointing some human made contributor as to the only reason why the changes are happening when it could be an unknown planetary cycle, emissions, combination etc.

Unfortunately since no one really knows, we can only attempt to deter what we can control in emissions and practices (which is having some kind of measurable impact) and keep measuring those changes to see the correlation of the impact. In any sense it will improve the current state in some way.

[armourereric]

Originally Posted by StarsNStripes

and yet there are still climate-change deniers walking around in their tin foil hats.

And zero growthers and Sacramento liberal politicians claiming the a massive influx of illegals will have no environmental impact.