Jump to content

kwilco

Advanced Member
  • Posts

    5,280
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by kwilco

  1. THer is no limit on being counted as a road death - but obviously if you publish the figures at the end of the day, you can't count those in hospital etc. THis is noe reason why in well-organised countries road stats include the 3 categories - minor, serious and fatal.
  2. it is not effective for much it's far too dilute - I did notice it is a diuretic though.
  3. This is a myth. The police release statistics day by day over Songkhran so it is likely they are "dead at scene". However they are not the only or even the main source of statistics. Hospitals and insurance companies are also sources. In most statistics there is NO limit on when a person dies so they can't really be analysed properly until some time after. But just looking at deaths doesn't give a very accurate overall picture of what is happening anyway. Real Rroad safety stats divide injuries into 3 categories...fatal, severe and minor....the Thai stats fail to do this. They also don't give out deaths per 100k of population or per 100k vehicles on the road. The nature of traffic during public holidays is quite different too. For instance heavy goods vehicles are banned over the period in Thailand. One also needs to consider the proportion of M/Cs to car over the holiday and the average length of journey. How different is this to an average day? Many people make long trips home to visit family so the traffic is heaviest at the beginning and end of the holiday. The there is the suggestion that "cutting in" is a cause of accidents. This is a highly questionable criteria and one wonders how this conclusion can be drawn scientifically especially so soon after an accident. It is just an example of how badly incidents are analysed. We can safely conclude that the death rate is too high in Thailand, but given the rank amateurs who are reporting on these incidents, it is nigh on impossible to make any rational conclusions or constructive proposals for the future
  4. what do you consider the pattern to be?
  5. the generally used figure for daily DEATHS is around 60. THe most common (mis?)-used statistic is deaths per 100k of population. Most other relevant figures are either ignored or unavailable. 3 categories of injury - minor, serious fatal. Deaths per 100k vehicles Per mile travelled traffic density these and other factors give a far more accurate picture of the situation.
  6. No you aren't...the Arctic ice is made up of frozen seawater, which is primarily composed of saltwater. As such, the ice is not considered to be fresh water, but rather a type of frozen saltwater. When the ice melts, the resulting water is also saltwater. However, it's worth noting that as the ice freezes and melts, it can have an impact on the salinity levels of the surrounding seawater. It represents an increase in unfrozen water, and a change in temperature - so sea-levels could change and of course currents could collapse. THe reflective power of the artic can change as the overall surface area changes and this changes the thermal characteristics of the Northern hemisphere. he Greenland ice cap is composed of fresh water, the surrounding oceans are saltwater. When the ice melts, the resulting water is fresh water, which can impact the salinity levels of the surrounding seawater even more than the artic. also Canada - Ice caps in Canada can be found in places such as the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and the mountains of British Columbia. These ice caps are made up of layers of snow that have accumulated over thousands of years and have turned into ice. When the ice melts, the resulting water is fresh water, which can have an impact on the surrounding ecosystems.. It is tempting to be simplistic and try to find one issue that you think might disprove the entire concept of global warming, but in t=reality you are just confirming the theory and the complexity of the science. It is the interconnectivity of the world system from east to West, North to South that makes it so hard for some people to get their head around it. it's probably better to look at a map of the artic from "above" than the old Mercator perspective....
  7. It's not jut "guessing" you need to look up skepticality and critical thinking.
  8. It is unreasonable to expect a timetable - what is sure is that it has already started. I have said before that movies like "Day after tomorrow" don't help in that those who haven't bothered to look into Global Warming (MMCC) are expecting to wake up one day to find either a desert outside their front door of a tidal wave full of icebergs..However, we do know for sure that human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, are releasing large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which trap heat and cause the Earth's temperature to rise. This has led to a range of impacts, including rising sea levels, more frequent and severe weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns. While we have a good understanding of the mechanisms that drive climate change, there are still uncertainties around the exact timing and magnitude of its impacts. Climate models, which are used to make projections about future climate change, are based on a range of assumptions and estimates, and there is a degree of uncertainty in their predictions. Additionally, there are feedback loops and tipping points in the Earth's climate system that could lead to sudden and potentially catastrophic changes. Despite these uncertainties, the overwhelming scientific consensus is that climate change is happening, and that it poses a significant threat to human and ecological systems. This consensus is based on decades of research and analysis by thousands of scientists from around the world, as well as observations of the Earth's climate and its impacts. While there is still much to learn about the specifics of how climate change will unfold, the evidence is clear that urgent action is needed to address this pressing issue.
  9. Global warming is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach to address. While it is important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change, it is also crucial to take into consideration the impact of these efforts on people's lives, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged and depend on certain practices for their basic needs. Here are some suggestions for improvements to global warming activities that can minimize the negative impact on people's lives: Increase access to clean energy: One way to reduce the use of fossil fuels and improve air quality is by increasing access to clean energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power. Governments can provide subsidies and incentives to encourage the adoption of clean energy technologies, and invest in infrastructure to make clean energy more widely available. Provide education and training: Education and training programs can help people transition to cleaner and more sustainable practices. For example, communities can be trained in efficient cooking practices that reduce the need for burning solid fuels, or in the installation and maintenance of solar panels and other clean energy technologies. Improve waste management: Proper waste management practices can reduce the amount of methane and other greenhouse gases produced by landfills. Governments can invest in waste-to-energy technologies, encourage recycling and composting, and regulate the disposal of hazardous waste. Implement policies that prioritize social equity: When designing policies and initiatives to address climate change, it is important to prioritize social equity and ensure that vulnerable communities are not disproportionately affected. For example, policies can be designed to provide financial support and resources to low-income communities to help them transition to clean energy. Encourage behavior change: Finally, it is important to encourage behavior change and promote a culture of sustainability. This can be done through public education campaigns, incentives for sustainable behavior, and by creating a sense of community around sustainable practices. Overall, it is important to take a holistic approach to addressing global warming that considers both the environmental impact and the impact on people's lives. By prioritizing social equity and investing in clean energy, waste management, and behavior change, we can work towards a more sustainable future that benefits everyone.
  10. It looks like you are completely out of touch - one of the whole points of understanding climate change ids putting forward alternative to the current situation.....I'm susrprised you haven't heard of them.
  11. Lovely partially readable quote but you don't seem to e able to put it into any context - what is your point and how do you think this single quote supports it?
  12. If a current changes direction - it is still a current. However if it "collapses" it means it ceases to flow. In reality the Antarctic is a system of currents that help to maintain climates..It is the source of many currents both warm and cold. In the Northern hemisphere - for instance it is why the sea around Southwest England and parts ofScotland is relatively warm allowing some places to be frost free whilst on the same Latitude as Edmonton in Canada So, the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) which is the world's largest ocean current, would have significant implications for global climate and ocean circulation patterns if it were to collapse It could lead to changes in sea level, temperature, and precipitation patterns around the world. The ACC acts as a barrier between cold polar waters and warmer subantarctic waters, which helps to maintain the balance of ocean circulation and the Earth's climate. Without the ACC, the global climate system could become disrupted, leading to changes in weather patterns, ocean chemistry, and marine ecosystems. For example, changes in ocean chemistry could affect the ability of marine organisms to build their shells, which would have ripple effects throughout the food chain.
  13. yes there is - it is often people trying to clear undergrowth to collect mushrooms.
  14. It does bring home the idea that there is plenty of water but no will to throw it in places it will do most good.
  15. Dry season - good for burning....but agriculture plays a big part. THe problems in the forests are multiple - many of the fires are man-made - locals set up fires to clear undergrowth to help in seasonal mushroom gathering. I was in the WFC recently and was surprised to see patches of burning everywhere. Another problem is that the National parks are grossly underfunded so not only are not enough resources to deal with the fires, the local rangers are so badly paid that they engage in burning to make extra money from mushrooms etc. As for neighbours - they may have forest fires but they agricultural burning is much smaller than the industrial scale burning engaged in by rice and sugar farmers in Thailand.. the problem is that 10s of thousands of people are getting sick and this may also turn into chronic illnesses - it is costing the nation a lot of monet=y and this will increase exponentially unless something is done - they need to see further than the next harvest figures... The cost of fire pollution in Northern Thailand can be difficult to quantify precisely, as it depends on various factors such as the severity of the pollution, the duration of the pollution, and the impact on different sectors such as health, tourism, agriculture, and the environment. However, studies have estimated that the economic cost of fire pollution in Northern Thailand can be significant. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health in 2018 estimated that the economic cost of the 2016 fire haze in Northern Thailand was approximately 2.2 billion baht (about 70 million USD). The study considered various factors such as health impacts, tourism losses, and agricultural damage. Another study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2020 estimated that the economic cost of air pollution from biomass burning in Northern Thailand was approximately 11 billion baht (about 350 million USD) per year. The study considered various factors such as health impacts, crop damage, and reduction in labor productivity. Overall, the cost of fire pollution in Northern Thailand is likely to be significant, and efforts to reduce or prevent the pollution can have significant economic benefits in addition to improving public health and the environment.. then one has to factor in the cost to the tourist industry. March in many parts of Central and Northern Thailand is now closed season.
  16. Depends who they are - if they are too dim to even understand what an argument is then insult and ridicule are the only course worth taking....
  17. for the last 3 years we have had the effects of La Nina so what is the difference? El Niño and La Niña affect not only ocean temperatures, but also how much it rains on land. Depending on which cycle occurs (and when), this can mean either droughts or flooding. Typically, El Niño and its warm waters are associated with drought, while La Niña is linked to increased flooding.. La Niña and El Niño are opposite phases of a naturally occurring climate pattern known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The primary difference between La Niña and El Niño is the pattern of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the tropical Pacific Ocean. During El Niño, SSTs in the central and eastern tropical Pacific become warmer than usual, while during La Niña, these same waters become colder than usual. In addition, El Niño tends to result in weaker trade winds and more rainfall over the central and eastern Pacific, while La Niña typically results in stronger trade winds and drier conditions over this region. These changes in SSTs and atmospheric conditions can have significant impacts on weather patterns around the globe, affecting everything from rainfall and temperature patterns to agricultural productivity, fisheries, and natural disasters such as floods and droughts.
  18. People need to get up to speed on climate change - doubters are so out of date it is unbelievable. The scientific consensus is that climate change is occurring and that human activities, particularly the emission of greenhouse gases, are contributing significantly to this phenomenon. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change, has concluded that it is extremely likely (95-100% probability) that human influence has been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century. The consequences of climate change are numerous and include rising temperatures, sea level rise, more frequent and intense extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns, among others. These impacts pose significant risks to human societies and natural ecosystems, with the potential for severe economic, social, and environmental consequences. While it may be challenging to reverse the effects of climate change entirely, taking actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable land-use practices, can help to mitigate the severity of the problem.
  19. will they allow them to go down?
  20. :dislocated my collarbone insurance would not cover the operation to fix it : - why?
  21. Ummmmm you realise that is how insurance works? Just read up on Lloyd's, it will all become clear. Its a financial product just like any other
  22. Most of these sites do... whether it's "best food" "best city" or "most dangerous roads" whatever. I find it amusing that people don't know what a stew is, though.
  23. How to spot a fool... someone who says "there have been fluctuations in climate before" - and thinks that climate scientists haven't considered that.
×
×
  • Create New...