cloud) and as a solid (ice particles, snow, high level cloud, cirrus). The interchange between these phases and the earth and ocean surface has a profound effect on our weather and climate in general. By comparison, CO2 gas remains only as a passive trace gas component with little if any proven measurable effect on climate or global warming.

Carbon dioxide is not polluting the atmosphere. CO2 is a harmless, invisible gas which is the life blood of the biosphere, and that includes us! No way can CO2 be regarded as a dangerous gas that is harmful to man. Every life form is composed of carbon compounds. CO2 is a vital trace component of the atmosphere. Crop yields and growth rates are greatly enhanced with CO2 atmospheric levels of 1000 ppm or more. We need more, not less, CO2 in the atmosphere!

What about true pollution? The true pollution derived from fuel combustion is due to minor or trace impurities. Already advanced technology has been applied to the problem. Modern power stations treat and remove impurities from the coal feed stock and have electrostatic precipitators to eliminate particulates from the combustion gases. When necessary scrubbers are used to remove water soluble sulfur and nitrogen oxides, and other minor pollutants. Ideally what comes out the stack is harmless CO2 and water. Similarly, automobile exhausts are purified by passing through a catalytic converter.

The serious misuse of the word "pollution" to include CO2 emissions has resulted in a vast misapplication of State and Federal Government funds and the imposition of stupid policies with harmful economic effects. This war against pollution is directed towards the wrong target, CO2, which, if a person, would surely sue for deformation of character!

Governments should not try and pick winners in the energy field. This is a job for private enterprise. There can be and are tax breaks for R & D expenditures, and then let the best development idea win.

The Kyoto treaty, with its drastic cuts on CO2 emissions, is totally unnecessary. It is bad science being used to impose bad policy. The underlying reason is to promote expensive renewable energy such as wind, solar, biofuels and geothermal most of which are uneconomic without Government subsidy. By taxing CO2 emissions this allows a cash flow to be directed towards renewables. Big business has investments in this, which is protected by maintaining the false global warming scare bandwagon.

In summary, the Kyoto treaty is just bad science coupled with a fundamentalist religion. It should be avoided by the USA and other wise countries. In my opinion, energy development should focus on fossil fuels and their derivatives rather than having an eco-religious wild goose chase after expensive renewables.

.

Learn more about this author, Allan Taylor.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

---

Add your voice

Know something about Is the US right to back out of the Kyoto treaty??
We want to hear your view. Write now!