Check Out These Green Genius Grant Recipients

Memo to the "Geniuses"

Peter Huybers - Hey Pete, I think the fifty year time frame of your study is probably more than a little myopic. Try and bring the "big picture" into focus.

Daniel Sigman - I note that levels of atmospheric, and CO2 in the sea, were many times higher during the Devonian Period when the sea was teaming with more species than now. Of course, that was 350 million years ago - Chemistry must have changed.

Beth Shapiro - News Flash... There were two periods of climate change during which buffalo herds decreased. The first was the Medieval Warming lasting several centuries and followed by the The Little Ice Age. I note polar bears survived both of these episodes - even the Medieval Warming - which was warmer than modern times. And imagine, no SUVs then.

p.s. Polar bear populations have been increasing for the past 40 years.

Rackstraw Downes - I understand that your painting reflects the "tensions" between nature and civilization. I note if it weren't for civilization you would be drawing with carbon (charcoal) on the wall of a cave instead of worrying about your carbon footprint. Man is a part of nature, and therefore his works are a valid part of the landscape. Really no more out of order than a giant termite mound, a beaver damn, a bird's nest or a grassy meadow trampled and cropped flat by buffalo. Furthermore, I observe that the bark beetle has devastated more trees than evil loggers ever have. And, what's more, the nasty little beetles don't even plant more trees after they kill them - Ungrateful little buggers!

R.L. Schaefer of CA @ Sep 23, 2009 13:17:38 PM