by mikef » Tue Sep 27, 2011 6:43 pm
I love APOD, but have lurked for years. Something occurred to me when reading the commentary on this one, and I thought it was worth posting.
Having reviewed many different sources of data on humanity-induced climate change on Earth, I am a "believer." If somebody doubted this theory, however, and believes that changes in climate are soley a function of "natural cycles," then Mars might present a viable control planet for study. If climate changes are a function of changes by the sun, or by the solar system passing through regions of differing density ... then there should be similar evidence for this on Mars. Granted, weather patterns and soils are vastly different on Mars - but APOD has posted many photos showing that Mars is not an inert ball of rock without an active atmosphere. Therefore, ice and carbon analysis should be possible on sediment cores.
So, here is my message to politically conservative people who doubt that humans are responsible for climate change. Fund a series of Mars missions to compare a nearby planet without humans! If Mars' climate changes mirror Earth's climate changes, THEN we need an extra-strong economy to weather the upcoming warming cycle. Think of the Mars missions as an investment in your political ideals, or as a bet you can't lose since you're so sure of your ideals. If (on the other hand) there is no evidence of a parallel climate change on Mars (and science for Mars sediment analysis is viable), then we need to alter our behavior.
I love APOD, but have lurked for years. Something occurred to me when reading the commentary on this one, and I thought it was worth posting.
Having reviewed many different sources of data on humanity-induced climate change on Earth, I am a "believer." If somebody doubted this theory, however, and believes that changes in climate are soley a function of "natural cycles," then Mars might present a viable control planet for study. If climate changes are a function of changes by the sun, or by the solar system passing through regions of differing density ... then there should be similar evidence for this on Mars. Granted, weather patterns and soils are vastly different on Mars - but APOD has posted many photos showing that Mars is not an inert ball of rock without an active atmosphere. Therefore, ice and carbon analysis should be possible on sediment cores.
So, here is my message to politically conservative people who doubt that humans are responsible for climate change. Fund a series of Mars missions to compare a nearby planet without humans! If Mars' climate changes mirror Earth's climate changes, THEN we need an extra-strong economy to weather the upcoming warming cycle. Think of the Mars missions as an investment in your political ideals, or as a bet you can't lose since you're so sure of your ideals. If (on the other hand) there is no evidence of a parallel climate change on Mars (and science for Mars sediment analysis is viable), then we need to alter our behavior.