[Vision2020] Change in the Environment

[Joe Campbell]

Wow! This is great! Thanks a lot, Paul! Best, Joe

On Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 4:10 PM, Paul Rumelhart <godshatter at yahoo.com> wrote:
> Here are a couple of questions, if I think of others I'll post more:
>
> Climate change:
>
> What kind of predictive ability do current climate models have?  What is
> their track record?  Can they be run on historical data and accurately
> predict current conditions?  How many variables do they look at and what
> kinds of parameters do they take?  Are the models susceptible to large
> changes based on small differences in parameter inputs?
>
> The Sun is currently in a solar minimum, with a 50-year low in solar wind
> pressure and a 12-year low in solar irradiance
> (http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2009/01apr_deepsolarminimum.htm).  If
> the Sun does not exit the solar minimum in the next few years, what effect
> will this have on the climate over, say, a five year period?
>
> If every person on earth stopped burning fossil fuels, coal, and other
> carbon-heavy fuels tomorrow, how long would it take for the current level of
> carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to drop below it's pre-industrial levels?
>
> In terms of effect on the climate, how do volcanic activity and
> anthropogenic causes compare in magnitude?
>
> Evolution:
>
> Is there a difference between micro- and macro-evolution?  Are there
> biological components which are "irreducibly complex"?
>
> Mankind is changing the rules with respect to it's own natural selection.
>  The conditions we were bred for no longer affect us as much, because of
> modern technology.  We live in climate-controlled buildings, have access to
> medical technology that saves lives that would have otherwise been cut short
> allowing the "weaker" to survive along with the "stronger".  What affect is
> this going to have on the course of our own evolution?
>
> Where are the largest gaps in the evolutionary history of humans?
>
> Has speciation been observed in the laboratory?
>
> Paul
>
> Joe Campbell wrote:
>>
>> On Friday, May 1, 7-9 pm the INPC is hosting a public forum at WSU in
>> CUB L60 entitled "Change in the Environment."
>>
>> My main goal, in organizing this forum, was to provide information and
>> dispel myths surrounding two scientific, yet culturally significant,
>> issues: climate control and evolution.
>>
>> I am the moderator for the event and the panelists are:
>> Carol M. Anelli, Entomology (WSU)
>> Tim A. Kohler, Anthropology (WSU)
>> Elisabeth Lloyd, Philosophy (Indiana)
>> Von P. Walden, Geography (UI)
>> Michael S. Webster, Biology (WSU)
>>
>> But I'm not just trying to publicize this event. This is also a call
>> for help! I need to send the panelists some questions that might be
>> asked at the forum. So, what questions would you ask, when thinking
>> about the problems of climate control and evolution from a scientific
>> perspective? If these folks (and myself) were before you, and these
>> issues came up, what questions would you ask us?
>>
>> These are important topics so if folks wish to step into the thread
>> with some answers or other comments, that is fine by me! I'll sift out
>> the information I need and enjoy the rest -- or more likely throw in a
>> comment or two!
>>
>> Best, Joe
>>
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