Let's Talk About Accuracy

A recent article in Science News discussed the latest satellite used to measure earth’s ice sheets. To calibrate the altitude measuring instruments on board the satellite the scientists use a salt flat in Bolivia. This salt flat was determined by previous tests to be flat over an area approximately 25 miles wide by 30 miles long. This New Jersey sized area was crisscrossed by SUVs with GPS antennas mounted to their roofs. The scientists collected data every 100 meters (about the length of a football field). What amazed me most about the survey is not that they discovered that the field wasn’t flat. What blew my mind was that they were able to tell that the vehicles were riding about 5mm (less than ¼ of an inch) higher off the ground at the end of the day when their fuel tanks were almost empty. The salt flat results indicated that the highest point was actually about 30 inches higher than the lowest point, about 30 miles away.
Now let’s talk about global warming. The same degree of accuracy is telling us the world temperature is rising at unprecedented rates. However, large numbers of senior legislators (read George Bush and cronies) are still disputing these results and their urgency. The ice caps are, in fact disappearing, and the oceans are indeed rising. These people who dispute the findings have no scientific background and are therefore able to doubt the accuracy of the scientists and their instruments.
What surprises me most about our country is not that these people can deny or bury anything contrary to their belief system under a mountain of B.S. What most amazes me is that we continue to elect these ignorant people to the highest offices in the land. If we don’t wake up soon, the damage we continue to do to the environment will be our undoing. Who cares if alternative energy development costs the oil ticket a few billions? They didn’t deserve the money anyway. Our children deserve better.
Bob Parmelee parmsplace.com