From: John Beckett 

"Mark"  wrote in message
news::
> Wow, 74 yards! And to think you guys have been wetting your pants over a few
> inches to date.

I'm not the doom-sayer you think I am. I'm just trying to get Geo to say
something consistent and plausible.

I outlined the fact that changes to our weather MAY have significant
effects. Further, if any significant effect occurs, it is likely to cause a
BAD result (I'm not saying "74 yards of water", I'm saying that
if you change a complex system, it's very likely you will not improve on it
as far as current life is concerned).

In response, Geo trots out nonsense about how it would be a bonus if
Antarctica became inhabitable. That's when it is appropriate for me to
point out the 74-yard rise in sea level problem.

> it's not an "Inconvenient Truth" type deal with false drama about NYC
> and every other coastal city being inundated with "yards" of
water in 24
> hours or less

Yes - I haven't seen "Inconvenient Truth" but I did see a story
where they showed an extract, and it appeared that the film might give the
impression that you would wake up one morning with wet feet.

OTOH I'm pretty sure that people like Geo aren't being realistic about the
massive disruptions to society that would result from significant
inundation. No government or insurance system could compensate a large
number of coastal people. There really could be some very ugly results.

> For example, people that live here:
>
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Sea+Bright,+NJ+07760&ie=UTF8&z=17&ll=40.384867,
-73.972149&spn=0.003784,0.01075&t=h&om=1
> right now, are IMHO, crazy.

Nice map! I hadn't known about that particular piece of geography. It does
look exceptionally dodgy. A big wave at king tide might be a problem.

I would expect quite a few places to be unfriendly if sea levels rise even
a little, or if storm surges increase. Maybe some of Florida, or New
Orleans.

To summarise my position: By all means claim that: 1. There may never be
significant problems; or 2. There won't be significant problems for many
years; or 3. Fiddling with human emissions wouldn't help.

But (message to Geo) please do NOT claim that: 4. It would be great if
Antarctica became inhabitable; or 5. Millions of people could just move if
they got wet; or 6. ADM will make rice that grows in sea water if
necessary.

John

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