A lush green future

The rather ominous headline reads: "global warming boosts poison ivy". The story then goes on to tell us that rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere could contribute to a near super strain of poison ivy:

"The fertilization effect of rising CO2 on poison ivy ... and the shift toward a more allergenic form of urushiol have important implications for the future health of both humans and forests," the study concludes

Well, ok. But surely the fertilization effect would have similar effects on other plants. I'm a little rusty on the ole biology, but I do recall something about photosynthesis sucking out CO2 and puffing back oxygen. Therefore, while the poison ivy was growing to obscene levels due to extra carbon, wouldn't corn, soybeans, rice, bushes and trees also benefit similarly? How about azaleas and bermudagrass? Wheat?

Come to think of it, it does seem the hedge out front grows faster than it used to. Maybe the time is right to invest in yard tools.

One final note. The article mentions the increasing CO2 as being "a greenhouse gas" as if we need to eliminate it. Thing is, it's a natural part of the atmosphere, averaging around 0.035%. Another naturally occurring gas often deemed to be pure greenhouse evil is methane, which averages around 0.0002%, just slightly more than Krypton.

SPEAKING OF THE FUTURE 5/30

Yet another flying car idea. This one called the Transition, dubbed a 'personal aerial vehicle', could drive to an airport and fly to a destination, allowing the flyer to avoid rental car charges. It's the latest in a line of many previous failures in this department, but eventually they'll get it right. And the very same ingenuity will save us from global warming.

MAD AT MAX 5/31/06

While on the subject, Drudge is flashing a story about an organized protest against NOAA regards Katrina, including the demand that Administrator Conrad Lautenbacher and National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield resign.

Why? Due to their complicity in allowing Katrina and the other hurricanes to form last year, of course. Had they only been preaching more about global warming these storms would have been, would have been, well, the same. But, moonbats so inclined would have had the necessary ammo to justify blaming Bush for both the aftermath AND the storm itself.

Max Mayfield's job description talks about the forecasting of hurricanes for the protection of life and property, not taking a few contradicting studies and making political statements. What would they have him to do, advise everyone to board up the windows and leave town, then vote Green Party at the next election?

THE SCI GUY SPEAKS 6/2/06

The science writer for the Houston Chronicle has a blog, and has weighed in on the protest over Max Mayfield and Katrina (which only drew 30 people).
It's actually a pretty interesting site for those who like science stuff.