Re: [Phys-l] Global Warming

[Brian Whatcott <betwys1@sbcglobal.net>]

At 07:32 PM 6/16/2006, you wrote:
> From: Jack Uretsky
>  " Argument by authority is not needed, and I see no reason to respect
>          such argument."                                Regards,
>
>
>   I'm not sure about that statement. For those of us who simply can not
> understand the very sophisticated, complex, and abstract, information, what
> choice do we have??? Yes, yes, yes, I abhor argument by authority. But at
> some point we all must succumb to it from need...we can't all know and
> understand everything. The really important thing is choosing your
> "authority" with diligence.
>
> Fred Bucheit


Fred's note reminds me of that famous estimate of the age of Earth
done by the physics authority of his age - who famously got it wrong.

We too can consider the basics of Earth temperature:
1) Is more heating going on
 Solar Constant inconstancy?  Direct combustion? Radioactive
upwelling?

2) Is more cooling going on?
        Albedo? thermal insulation effects? Enhanced Radiation?

3) Is more energy going to storage in allotropes? Change of State?

Those are the only factors that finally determine
 Earth temperature, if we get down to bed rock, as  far as I can see.


Brian Whatcott    Altus OK    Eureka!