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While I don't doubt that the earth may be warming, and that humans do have a factor and we should change some of our behaviors, I just find it hard to believe that the planet won't adjust. How does the planet come back from a catastrophic asteroid, or volcanic eruptions? I just have a hard time buying the “global warming� argument that it is totally driven by humans. Several billion years ago, Kansas was under ice, what caused that ice to melt? Climate changes, the same climate changes that the planet has gone under forever, and will continue to go through. I do think that we need to treat our environment better to avoid making these climate changes more extreme than they might normally be, but we also need to find a balance to maintain our way of life, and that is where the issue becomes very politicized unfortunately. Thanks for all your hard work!
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Jon,

Good points, but what if Kansas City was under ice again. It would be horrible. But, this isn't the point. Most scientists agree that the earth is warming up and at least partially due to greenhouse gases created by man. And, the point is that if we do something about it and reduce these greenhouse gases then we can have at least some control over what happens. And, at the very least make the earth a cleaner place to live in.

And, the planet does recover, but it takes 1000's of years. That is a lot of lifetimes.

Gary

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What a surprise! I thought I was crazy hearing thunder and seeing lightning this morning, but then it poured for about fifteen minutes. It gave us .30 in the rain gauge, which at this point, I'll take anything we get!! Send some more down here to Kingsville!!
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Kimberley,

That is a nice little rain. I only saw a few drops.

Have great day.

Gary

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I'm always fascinated when people blithely say that it would be OK, the planet survived it before. But it must be realized that while the planet made it through previous cycles that had other causes many species did not. How many people would starve when crops were wiped out in some places because of drought and in others because of floods? Just because the planet makes it doesn't mean our civilization would. In addition, the natural cycles, while not understood 100% are certainly largely understood and are known to not apply to the current warming.

Gary's completely right about how it should be more about the science and not about lobbying and political influence of those whose self-interest allows for a great deal of rationalization on this subject.
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Jim,

Great points and insight.

Gary

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First of all, I applaud the bloggers. This is the most well thought out set of reponses I have been apart of regarding global warming discussions. [Sidenote - maybe the kudos go to Gary/team for filtering out the trash talking].

I think where things get a bit messy in keeping the science and politics seperate is that much of the grant money for scientific research comes from political interest groups. This intrinsically will affect the public spin of the findings. I am not sure we will ever be able to seperate the two both from a funding or public sense, so it will be left to each individual to find the information and sources they trust.

That aside, there is still alot to learn about this, and I think the debate is healthy so long as it promotes common sense change and tolorance.

As far as cleaning up for the sake of cleaning up since it won't hurt anyway. I am not sure you will find someone to disagree with this, so long as the resources required to clean don't outweigh the benefit both actual or perceived. I think individual awareness and action can only benefit us all.

I would encourage folks to find other research pieces on this topic both pro/con. If anything, the hotbed that is Global Warming can serve as a catalyst for public education which never hurts anyway.
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Scott,

I haven't filtered out any. The responses have been great, but when I get back to the studios today I fear some of the emails.

Gary

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Gary, check out the SLP for both the CMC and GFS models for the Atlantic.

1. The Bermuda/Azore High weakens a great deal, and shifts east pushed by a huge L near N. Canada. In this, it seems to relax the ovebearing Bermuda High and seems to shift the jetstream quite a bit. This may contribute to the end of the this years GRC, as the Bermuda High as been very present from early spring to now this year.

2. The past four runs of the GFS model have consistently shown a powerful Cape Verdes-type hurricane forming off the coast of Africa August 3, tracking westward, and hitting the northernmost Lesser Antilles Islands on August 7.

Obviously a long way out, and we know how the models behave..but I think hurricane season is about to arrive with a bang. SSTs are well above normal right now, and I will be curious to see where the Bermuda high is at that stage to understand if we get the TWC "promised" East Coast brute or if this tracks into the Gulf.
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Scott,

I don't think it contributes to the end of the GRC. I think the end of the GRC is what triggers hurricane season from kicking into gear in August.

The pattern is over! I believe I can declare it over by tonight. Everything is completely different, but still there are some questions. I am analyzing the data, but I think we can start the party soon. If it is over then the first front that approaches us will act completely different than all of the others this season. It will be easy to see. But, does this mean we will benefit from the change? I can't imagine it not helping, since this pattern was so frustrating.

Gary

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Gary,
It's time to take better care of our environment regardless of global warming.

Requiring a larger percentage of ethanol at the pump is a good start. This technology was available since gas came along, but big oil has fought it all the way.

Oil companies have a lot of power, and it's not in their interest to push for anything that would affect positive change for the environment. And that's a shame.

This is a very complex issue, and it's impossible to frame it in a blog. It's great to be talking about it. That's a start.
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Thanks Eric,

Gary

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My only thoughts would be that all the Scientists agree that Green house gases have some effect on the warming. The Kyoto treaty states that the earth is warming about 3 degrees Celsius in the next 100 years without the treaty and with full implementation of the treaty the earth will still warm to 2.1 degrees Celsius. So there is little we can do to stop the Earth from warming. One question I have never heard addressed is the warming due to the sun activity and the sun getting larger. How come no one ever discusses the Sun cycles when discussing Global Warming. I would think the sun would have a greater influence on our temperature than the green house gases.
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Joe,

The sun is very important and it goes through cycles, but it is not changing size. Only a slight change in the energy from the sun and everything will be crazy.

Gary

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Thanks for the short program on Global Warming. I'm a strong believer in it, but I still think it's possible the planet itself is in a long cycle of becoming hot again, and human is a factor in accelerating the process. I have so many thoughts on this topic but here're just a couple... First, I believe the planet is capable of fighting back, as we can see with the extreme hot and cold weather, floods and strong hurricanes. However, human activities, especially cutting and burning of trees, prevents the planet from doing so. 2. It shouldn't take Global Warming for us to be more responsible for what we do. If it's harmful to the planet, it's harmful to us as well. Instead of debating whether whether global warming is true or not, why not focusing on how to make it a better place for all living things?
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Ivan,

Thank you for sharing your well thought out ideas.

Gary

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I agree that global warming is an issue. We really should keep the politics out of science but unfortunatly in this day in age they go hand in hand. At the end of the day we must do all we can to protect the earth after all there is only one of them!

Gary - do you ever sleep?
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Angela,

No, I don't get enough sleep. I really need the weekends to catch up.

Gary

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The content was fine. I really disliked the format. I thought the program was going to be something similar to the Winter Weather Forecast programs you do each fall. Presenting the facts, give a forecast, and then discussion. Giving you a couple minutes before the weather report seemed a bit odd. Also, and I understand this was probably because of time constraints, but you really needed an additional expert. I thought the one you had was fine but someone will always complain that it was "one-sided" if only one expert is interviewed.
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Hank,

Yes, I agree on getting an expert on the other side of the issue. We will organize it differently for the next one.

Gary

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Well, the information on the segment of GW was pretty much what I already know, but thats not your fault since I have read up on this issue. I still think that maybe sometime down the line it would be interesting to see a special on how the winters in our region have changed through the years,temprature,snowfall, overall intenseness of winter storms ect. One reason why I think that this would be neat is for the fact that we still have cool summers compared to average from time to time, but it seems that almost every winter is to some degree the same old story of "above ave temps" and "below ave snow". Not only that but it would add an interesting local twist to this issue. Again thanks for your time.
Nick in St. Joe.
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Nick,

Another few warm winters and I will be doing a special on them.

Gary

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Good Afternoon, Gary & Jamie

I want to thank you for the Global Warming segment that was aired { if anybody missed it, it is in the video selection on the KSHB homepage } It was insightful and balanced to the point of questions needing to be answered as to why these significant changes are occuring and how much bearing man has on it ultimately. I think this goes further than probable cause however when it comes to the insanity of continueing use of fossil fuels and the burning of them. We enter with this a topic that is far more reaching, the caretaking of the earth with insight into the detrimental results based on supplied energy revolving around political and economic greed. The current mindset of the powers that be, is that the roulette wheel they are spinning with our future is worth the profits derived. Not so... Mother Earth will have the last say in us aiding and abetting her poisoning. Let's step back for a moment just as weather watchers and have a combined look at this.. it is evident that in the last few years the spiking of weather events is now the norm worldwide. We see weather patterns without it's normal transitions that we grew up with in past years ( with it's OCCASIONAL drastic events ) to now huge environmental impacts almost weekly! The Florida pennisula on fire seasonally, wet..lush..green Florida burning every year!! the Western U.S. now burns as a season..as a season!..not small areas that were due for cleansing natural fires but millions upon millions of acres of land burning now seasonally. Our winters here in the midwest do not have traditional cold lengthy weeks like yesteryear..they spike between 15 degrees in January to 60..in a matter of days. Not the traditional thaws but crazy erratic sways..from the Canadian Border south we can't find a sustained winter. Rain patterns all over the board with no rhyme or reason..totally erratic and spiked..areas of drought bordered by areas of flood. Is this due to years and years and millions upon millions of tons of burned petroleum and coal exhaust in our atmosphere?? Ladies and Gentlemen....Mother Nature is giving us a red flag wake up call and we better heed it. Is it fully Global Warming and fossil fuels consumption? data not fully compliled yet..however that is not the point. The planet is losing it's ability to seek balance and equally sustain itself..species are dying in large numbers and this little spaceship called Earth that we collectively ride on..we are poisoning it's life support system daily with spent fossil fuels, fouling our lands..our waters..our air. Finally to show the short sighted stupidity of the oil gun to the temple mentality..oil is nothing more than green plants and vegetation crushed through millions of years of pressure under ground to form a fossil based liguid goo who's latent energy is released through burning and combustion. And where did these plants and vegetation get there initial ENERGY to grow????.......... The SUN. Now the oil cartels around the world won't tell you that we are chasing our tails, and that Solar ( and other biobased solutions ) is the future..but people are starting to get the message, and if we can make a significant impact on lessoning the detrimental changes that are occuring..it can only insure our grandchildren's children's future. It's not entirely about Global Warming here..it's about responsible stewardship of a planet.

Robert
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Great insight Robert,

Gary

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Gary,

Your pattern theory is very interesting. Are the breakdown changes you are seeing something you can site examples in a short blog? If they are could you please share some of the data?

How about for a nice weather change a widespread 2-3" gentle soaking event w/temps in the mid 80's.

Brad
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Brad,

I will attempt to describe the change. I am looking for a specific good example, and this is why I am hesitating. It is amazing how this part of my theory happens every year, the falling apart of the pattern right about now. So, give me a couple more days.

Gary

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Gary - You know I believe our leaders and all of the world's leaders are totally hiding their heads in the sand. And our current Geo W. couldn't even get you-know-where right, so how can we expect any improvement in our environmental outlook?

106 F - Awful...absolute awful...wish I lived in the Yukon this time of year.

Dog

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Gary - That story on Global Warming was great last night! I could tell you had done your research.
There is a lot of activity in our area on this issue. I am chairperson of a local group called Concerned Citizens of Platte County(www.tellkcplno.org). We started out being concerned about the new coal-burning power plant that is proposed for Weston due to the health(air pollution) and water issues(uses 8,000 gallons/minute). Now we are very concerned about the 8 million tons/year of carbon(global warming gas) the plant will emit. The old fashioned design allows for no cost effective retrofits to the plant to capture carbon later on if required. In addition, there are 2 other plants proposed for Missouri and several for Kansas - all with the old technology.
Mayor Kay Barnes(along with 250 other big city mayors) has signed on to the US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and there currently is a resolution before the city council to pledge to reduce global warming. KC residents should encourage the council to adopt this resolution.
Thanks again for the story! Susan

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Liking the temp projection for Sunday! Be a shame if I lose a 3-5 week projection by minutes!
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Scott,

Maybe you will have the correct time.

Gary

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Gary, I think your weather reports/forcasts are the most accurate on TV. I do, however, think all the KC metrologists on TV get a little over dramatic about the weather. We do have some hot weather from time to time in KC. It can be accompanied by humidity. I'd prefer you give us the numbers as opposed to the dramatic phrases such as "sticky, oppressive, steamy, and the like". We know what it means when the dew point reaches 70 degrees. I also enjoyed your "global warming" special the other night. I'm convinced the planet is getting warmer and it might not be an anomoly. Your glacier pictures were startling. I'm not convinced, however, that it's due to the burning of fossil fuels. If so, what caused the warming the last time the earth experienced climate change. If we stopped burning fossil fuels, would it make a difference? How much difference? Could we even change the trend? In the late 1970s there was a study by scientists as to the coming "ice age". Were they wrong then and right now? Bottom line: It may be getting warmer but I think scientists have yet to prove therir theory as to the cause.
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Neil,

There is a lot of debate and it will continue. The evidence points to the increase in temperatures being directly related to the increasing CO2. And, this warming is a bit different as it is acclerating right now. Then again, there is a lot of questions on how the data is being taken.

Thanks for the kind comments and our meteorologists don't hype up the weather. We just explain what we think will happen.

Gary

Gary

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Gary,

While I am a big fan, I did not like your story. While your intro stated that it would be a balanced report, your passionate belief that we (man, in particular the US) are causing global warming shone through. There is a large body of evidence that central Antarctica, where 80% of the planet's ice is, is cooling and the ice thickening. And what explains the heat up prior to 1950? Regardless, the steps to energy independence: nuclear power, coal gasification plants, vehicle mileage standards, supplemental grain-based fuels, also cut CO2 emissions. The "perfect storm" of good solutions for our air, foreign policy, self-sufficiency, and domestic jobs is what should be stressed. Keep the passion; I love it the rest of the time!

Andy H.
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Andy,

Looking back on it I agree with you. It was definitely biased towards one side. But, I still was just presenting what I believe are the facts. We will be debating this for years to come.

Gary

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Gary

Thanks for the piece on Global Warming - I have written you several times blaming our new weather patterns on Global Warming. My wife says she is afraid you think I am a nut writing you but I do it because I think highly of you when it comes to weather. I just hoped if I brought up Global Warming you would take it into consideration with our climate now and you did.

Thanks David Seibold
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David,

This heat wave is more directly related to what always happens with the weather, but when it gets up to 120 degrees in South Dakota then you wonder if there is influence from the warming earth.

Gary

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Gary,

I always hate to miss your weather segments and particularly hate that I missed the G.W. special you did. When will you reshow it? Could you post it to youtube.com so others could watch it at their leisure?

Also, would love to see you or someone else there do a weekly altnernative energy or energy conservation segment which could help people as they try in their own lives to use less fossil fuels and spare the planet's environment. Thanks for your good work. John

JOHN:
Hello, there! The Global Warming story IS posted on our website:
http://web.kshb.com/kshb/video/top_stories.shtml?cat=5&next=90

If you don't see it listed in that list, you might need to scroll back to "More Video". It's called "Global warming or a natural cycle?"
Let me know if you don't see it.

Jamie