This is where the global warming discussion can get really exciting and positive.  I don't think it is gloom and doom at all. 

For the sake of this thread, let's just look at two of the suggested causes for global warming:  

• Solar Irradiance
• Greenhouse gas buildup
  

I have seen an amazing technological solution to the solar irradiance contribution to global warming: 

Giant umbrella could curb global warming

5/1/2007 1:13:00 PM - Erinn Piller

As the reality of global warming sinks in, scientists have begun scrambling to find solutions to the problem. Governments and organizations are calling for conventional strategies such as energy conservation and non-carbon energy sources such as wind and nuclear power. But some scientists are turning to more ambitious alternatives.

Roger Angel, an astronomer and optics expert at the University of Arizona, recently proposed a plan for a high-tech umbrella to block sunlight before it reaches our planet. He suggests this could potentially cut incoming sunlight by 1.8 percent.

The total system would cost approximately $5 trillion and would last around 50 years.

This is pretty amazing and if we are really going to get cooked by the sun, I guess 5 trillion for umbrellas makes sense. And I think these umbrellas might work to reduce the greenhouse effect that is warming the planet even if greenhouse gases continue to rise.  

But here is the solution that has the most appeal and makes the most sense to me.

Part I - the consensus view was that global warming is happening.

Part II - like pulling teeth to get uber liberals to commit to anything being good or bad, but nobody argued that global warming is good, so I will declare consensus on that one:  global warming is bad, for the status quo, for coast lines, etc.  The discussion re good and back can continue on the Part II thread.

Part III - is the question of what could be causing the planet to warm up. 

Commonly mentioned causes include the following:

1. Buildup of greenhouse gases
2. Sunspot or solar system wide warming of some sort
3. Natural planetary cycles

I think that all three of these causes and maybe more could be causing global warming, but I think that the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmospher is far and away the primary cause. If I had to put a percentage on it, I would say that I think 90% or more global warming is caused by buildup of greenhouse gases. 

I haven't looked for science to support the other causes, but if it's out there and you think it is convincing, shows that the warming on Mars is somehow related to warming of this planet, link to it.  

So, please, let's keep the discussion on this thread to the following:  what do you think is causing global warming and why. Links to science are encouraged. 

For those of you who think this is not going anywhere, is simply encouraging dissension, please be patient.  I have a suggestion/thought/approach about addressing global warming that I think will reduce the warming, will create jobs, and will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, will reduce our need to have wars in the Middle East over oil reserves, but I think that suggestion makes the most sense when it is presented when we start talking about solutions and we are not there yet.    

Hola OlyBlog Posse, Here is a snap from the CoO.

Now is a good time to be planting, and also a great time to mulch for the garden.

Food Not Lawns!

Think about coverting costly lawn into productive edible food garden for 2008.

I am continuing to mull over the implications of the discussion about the exploitation of animals. I think about it now every morning as I realize I am putting on a leather belt and often wearing leather shoes. I have decided not to purchase, even second hand, any unnecessary leather products. I have yet to determine if there are necessary leather products.

Found this option with a quick search:

An old and good friend stopped by yesterday and brought a dozen eggs from his chickens. These are like Janet's chickens, they are cared for, they have large runs, they have warm space and plenty of food. This seems like a symbiotic and mutually beneficial relationship, but there is no question that the decision-making regarding the relationship between these chickens and humans is done primarily by the humans. I took the eggs and asked my friend to thank the chickens for me.

I have also kept bees in my lifetime and like many beekeepers I often felt like there was a mutually beneficial relationship at work between the hive and me. I would catch swarms, give them a clean, dry home with the basis for their existence, treat the bees with meds when it appeared the hive was sick, I fed them if the seasons and weather were not good and the hive was in danger of starving. This was not simply an exploitative relationship. It was some kind of complex interspecies relationship. And I do love honey.