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chisnapc

Listed below are comments made by chisnapc between Friday, 13th June 2008 and Saturday, 13th September 2008.

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Wettest weather? 02:06am on 13 Sep 2008 Dear Handysteve,

I concede that the trend of increasing temperatures on the hockey stick is a recent phenomenon, and as such it is hard to extract reliable data.

I also agree that while we may be in a 'hot period' now, there have been occasions in the past which may well have been hotter. In this instance I think it is the rate of change, rather than the absolute change, that will affect our abilities, and those of other species, to adapt.

Your point about the NASA data I will counter in two ways;

When aeroplanes were grounded on 11th September 2001, the average global temperature increased- something which seems counterintuitive. The reason has been attributed to the reflective properties of the high altitude contrails. When they were absent on 9/11 additional radiation was able to reach the surface, raditation which would otherwise have been reflected.

I see no reason why, with the advent and expansion of jet propelled aircraft since the 1940s, why such a cooling phenomenon cannot also be attributed to this. Since the 70s, warming may begin to catch up as the balance between CO2 emissions and reflective contrails changes, if the latter has reached a maximum efficiency.

Secondly, the very fact that grounding aeroplanes for a single day can produce a measurable temperature fluctuation must indicate the inherent ability of man to alter the climate.

While it would be silly to attribute everything to humans, I think the highlighted example indicates the delicate interdependency of every element within the closed system of our planet. We are not entirely to blame but we are not helping ourselves.

Finally, I cannot see anything wrong in cleaning up our act; after all who wants to live on a polluted planet? Even if it does nothing other than reduce asthma rates, I can't see why anyone would be against it.

Regards,
Wettest weather? 5:51pm on 12 Sep 2008 Handy Steve:
"The earth's climate has been changing for millions of years and will continue to do so, with or without man's help"

Why are you willing accept that the climate has been changing for millions of years? Were you there to watch them all, or are you relying on scientific analysis?

If the case is the later, why do you accept this part of the analysis, but dismiss the subsequent conclusions out of hand? Why are the experts right about some bits, but according to you, not others?

Exactly what qualifications do you have on the subject, which are of a sufficiently high nature to usurp the authority of countless world experts?

I believe that the ice core analysis allowing you to draw your 'millions of years' conclusions are produced by the the same experts promoting the 'hockey stick' trend of climate change.

Just because you don't like something, doesn't mean it is wrong, and doesn't mean it isn't happening.
In search of the naked strawberry 03:05am on 04 Aug 2008 Dear Airplanedave,

I don't claim anything, only reference what the BBC wrote with regard to the amount of recycling in Belgium/Flanders.

Having lived here a while I can believe it is that within that region as everything is segregated before collection. Under my sink I have 5 different colours of binbag, each for a different type of waste. The basement of my modest apartment building (maybe 20 flats) has 10 corresponding industrial bins.

While the Belgians do not yet scrape dog residue from the streets (a very serious problem here!) we do have battery bins etc. Plastic bags are also sold at shops and not given away freely.

My comment about food waste was in relation to the collections in New Zealand where I also lived for a time.

Rather than getting into a shouting match about who is best, I was merely pointing out that even in countries with rates which most consider high, there is room for improvement - note my comment about wrapping oranges.

Regards,
Trip, stumble, fall 7:35pm on 03 Aug 2008 to # 1

This is correct, you can get a phenomenon known as 'leaching' whereby additives in the plastics transfer into the foods - typically fatty ones which contain similar molecular groupings - Cheese is notorious.

Since the 70's (I believe) all manufacturers of cling film and plastics which come into contact with food replaced their existing polymer stabilisers (necessary to prevent degradation due to light, heat...) with vitamin E.

Vitamin E is an excellent polymer stabiliser and happens to be non-toxic, perhaps even beneficial* (more evidence required!).

Indeed all of the 'promotional' adverts telling you that your margarine contains vitamin E are to get around the fact that it will have leached from the packaging! It is only there to protect the plastic!
In search of the naked strawberry 7:21pm on 03 Aug 2008 Re: soft fruits.

Surely handing back an empty punnet to the supermarket it cheating.

Is it not merely asking somebody else to dispose of your plastic waste out of sight? The same argument stands for transferal of said fruit from the punnet at the shelf - the punnet will still be not be reused and disposed of later.

Asking someone else to throw it away does not make it theirs!

Having said this I am in full support. Living in Belgium I get to see both sides of the recycling 'coin'. We have one of the highest percentage recycling rates in Europe at over 70% (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6539813.stm), however we also have supermarket chains that wrap each individual orange in plastic before they go into the plastic netting! Pointless in the extreme!

Christchurch, New Zealand (not sure if it extends beyond the city) also has a great recycling system where the only things not collected are food waste. Indeed households are required to sort their plastic waste according to type, using the number printed inside the triangle on all plastic products. Everything is then removed once a week for recycling.

At the very least, most EU countries offer 3 colours of public bins for different types of rubbish. Going back to the UK is now a shock to the system with its indiscriminate disposal of waste.
Sparring over healthcare 5:28pm on 02 Jul 2008 to #17 Menedemus,

Many thanks.

I understand that bed rest may be a necessity after an operation, however if the NHS is to foot the recuperation bills while in a hotel that may cause a lot of cash to leave the NHS at a time when it needs it the most.

Unfortunately the system you advocate does not help the poor, merely penalises the rich. If a person is incredibly wealthy, why should they not seek out the best they can afford?

Instead they are required to leave their bank accounts on hold or face their right to free access of the health system removed. They paid for it with their taxes (presumably if they are rich they have contributed a larger amount of money) but would be asked to pay again.

I doubt anyone would willingly take the 2nd or 3rd best option with regards to their own health just so the poor don't feel envious of them.

Indeed if all of the rich people go abroad, 'removing' themselves from the waiting lists, I contest that not only have they helped pay for the system, they are also reducing waiting times for those who stay.

Again, I stand by my original comment that non-emergency health care to non-residents should be paid for upfront.

The rich leave, the poor have less people in the queue and 'Johnny Health Tourist' has paid his dues too!
Sparring over healthcare 2:44pm on 02 Jul 2008 Frank Dobson said "...And if there are benefits from it for people in Britain they'll go to people who are better off, because they will be able to afford to go to get treatment somewhere in Europe, rather than in Britain..."

People will go to where the best services are. If the Government seriously committed itself to making the NHS the best in Europe, this would not be an issue.

With regards to chasing money - my understanding was that the NHS was free at the point of service for people who had paid for it through their taxes.

I think it perfectly appropriate to charge a non-resident up front for any non-emergency procedure.

#5 has concerns about expenses, presumably after reading #3. The NHS could pay for the cost of the operation and associated recovery in hospital.

I think it appropriate however, that a patient should be made to fork out for the flight and any hotel stays!
Unpredictable politics 4:13pm on 13 Jun 2008 Dear Nick,

Would it be possible for you to set the new 42 day limit in context? How many countries in the world have limits of 42 days or greater? Which countries are they?

I would also be interested in how long 'rogue states', such as Cuba, Iran, Pakistan to name a few, are able to detain people under 'official' legislation?

Kind Regards,

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