More on Climate Change

A direct quote from American Scientist Science in the News Weekly (Monday, October 5, 2009):"Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions may have been underway, however, long before the industrial revolution. The Washington Post looked at one scientist's argument that ancient farmers released enough greenhouse gas to alter the climate by burning forests and cultivating rice paddies. But many climate scientists contest the idea, both on scientific grounds and out of concern that it may slow action to curb modern greenhouse gases."

The original argument presented by the cited scientist was based on an analysis of CO2 levels in the atmosphere over the past 10,000 years or so, with clear indications of rising concentrations that correlated well with the spread of agriculture, along with indicators (such as the period of the Black Death) when concentrations decreased as a result of decreased agricultural activities. Having seen the original study several years ago, and having the impression of well-done science, I have wondered for some time why this theory has received so little notice in the climate community. The cited article says the primary "scientific" argument against the theory is that the world population was too small to induce such an effect- without offering any sort of counter-argument to explain the effects measured.

Now we know why the theory has been "discredited"- it is inconsistent with current policy, and may raise questions about the efficacy of the boondoggles currently being promoted to solve the problem...