Mountain Views News          Saturday, February 4, 2012

18

THE WORLD AROUND US

Mountain Views-News Saturday, February 4, 2012 


EARTH’S ENERGY BUDGET OUT OF BALANCE 

DESPITE LOW SOLAR ACTIVITY

 A new NASA study 
underscores the fact that 
greenhouse gases generated 
by human activity—not 
changes in solar activity—
are the primary force 
driving global warming.

 The study offers an 
updated calculation of the 
Earth’s energy imbalance, 
the difference between the 
amount of solar energy 
absorbed by Earth’s surface 
and the amount returned 
to space as heat. The 
researchers’ calculations 
show that, despite unusually 
low solar activity between 
2005 and 2010, the planet 
continued to absorb more 
energy than it returned to 
space.

 James Hansen, director of 
NASA’s Goddard Institute 
for Space Studies (GISS) 
in New York City, led the 
research. The journal 
Atmospheric Chemistry 
and Physics published the 
study in December 2011.

 Total solar irradiance—the 
amount of energy produced 
by the Sun that reaches the 
top of each square meter of 
the Earth’s atmosphere—
typically declines by about 
a tenth of a percent during 
cyclical lulls in solar activity 
caused by shifts in the Sun’s 
magnetic field. Usually 
solar minimums occur 
about every eleven years and 
last a year or so, but the most 
recent minimum persisted 
more than two years longer 
than normal, making it the 
longest minimum recorded 
during the satellite era.

 Pinpointing the magnitude 
of Earth’s energy imbalance 
is fundamental to climate 
science because it offers a 
direct measure of the state 
of the climate. Energy 
imbalance calculations also 
serve as the foundation for 
projections of future climate 
change. If the imbalance is 
positive and more energy 
enters the system than exits, 
Earth grows warmer. If the 
imbalance is negative, the 
planet grows cooler.

 Hansen’s team concluded 
that Earth has absorbed 
more than half a watt 
more solar energy per 
square meter than it let off 
throughout the six-year 
study period. The calculated 
value of the imbalance 
(0.58 watt of excess energy 
per square meter) is more 
than twice as much as the 
reduction in the amount of 
solar energy supplied to the 
planet between maximum 
and minimum solar activity 
(0.25 watt per square meter).

 “The fact that we still 
see a positive imbalance 
despite the prolonged solar 
minimum isn’t a surprise, 
given what we’ve learned 
about the climate system, 
but it’s worth noting because 
this provides unequivocal 
evidence that the Sun is 
not the dominant driver of 
global warming,” Hansen 
said.

 According to calculations 
conducted by Hansen and 
his colleagues, the 0.58 watt 
per square meter imbalance 
implies that carbon dioxide 
levels need to be reduced to 
about 350 parts per million 
to restore the energy budget 
to equilibrium. The most 
recent measurements show 
that carbon dioxide levels 
are currently 392 parts 
per million and scientists 
expect that concentration 
to continue to rise in the 
future.

 Climate scientists have 
been refining calculations 
of the Earth’s energy 
imbalance for many years, 
but this newest estimate 
is an improvement over 
previous attempts because 
the scientists had access 
to better measurements of 
ocean temperature than 
researchers have had in the 
past.

 The improved 
measurements came from 
free-floating instruments 
that directly monitor the 
temperature, pressure and 
salinity of the upper ocean 
to a depth of 6,500 feet. The 
network of instruments, 
known collectively as Argo, 
has grown dramatically 
in recent years since 
researchers first began 
deploying the floats a 
decade ago. Today, more 
than 3,400 Argo floats 
actively take measurements 
and provide data to the 
public.

You can contact Bob 
Eklund at: b.eklund@
MtnViewsNews.com.

 
A graph of the sun's total solar irradiance shows that in recent years irradiance 
dipped to the lowest levels recorded during the satellite era. The 
resulting reduction in the amount of solar energy available to affect Earth's 
climate was about .25 watts per square meter, less than half of Earth's total 
energy imbalance. (Credit: NASA/James Hansen)


NEW VIEW ON (ONLINE) 
PRESIDENTIAL POLITICS

I ran across this interesting piece on online media and 
its effects on this years election. I yield my space to:

(NAPS)—According to a recent Pew Research study, 22 
percent of adults used social networking sites to plug into 
the last elections. Social media use in the next presidential 
election race promises to be even higher, with innovative sites 
already sprouting up to help citizens voice their opinions, 
show support for their favorite candidates and even get a 
chance at the ballot themselves. Seasoned political pundits 
and novice voters are rapidly adopting new online media 
that aim to level the political playing field and get involved in 
ways never before possible.

“In recent history, presidential candidates have needed very 
deep pockets, knowledge of the complex campaign process 
and a huge network of support resources to even get noticed,” 
said Bryan Lee, co-founder of Votocracy, a new social media 
site where anyone can toss their hat into the presidential ring 
for as little as $1. “We aim to be the great political equalizer, 
providing anyone of the 200 million voting-age Americans a 
shot at getting on the presidential ticket and gaining millions 
of supporters, simply through the power of social media.” 

The site offers members free access to find and interact with 
political candidates, then helps those candidates amass 
support from the American people after registering 
their own presidential campaign—which takes only 
minutes. The Votocracy process culminates in a 
nationally televised reality show in which the candidates 
who generate the most support compete for America’s 
support. 

Other political networking sites, online communities and 
tools have emerged to help people engage and learn more 
about upcoming elections, participate in political 
discussions and keep tabs on specific politicians. This new 
wave of social media sites means a new breed of “political 
entrepreneur” can quickly gain momentum without 
having deep pockets, years of political experience or even 
notoriety—just the drive to compete and a passion for 
change. 

The campaign season promises to be more accessible 
and interactive than ever before, making it easy to 
get involved, either to support 
a favorite candidate 
or campaign. For a look at what many are calling the 
future of politics 
via social media, visit www.Votocracy.
com. 

Votocracy members can get involved 
and express their 
political opinion on daily polls like: “What is the biggest 
problem with our current election process?”


KATIE Tse..........This and That


TATER LOVES PAPER!

HEALTH RISKS & 
CONCERNS ASSOCIATED 
WITH PUPPY PAPER PICA


Happy Tails

by Chris Leclerc.

Canyon Canine Dog 

Walking & Pet Sitting Services

PASSIVE 
AGGRESSION 
IN THE BREAK 
ROOM!

 If your job is anything 
like mine, you leave 
your office or cubicle to 
eat in the break room. Although it may 
seem casual, the break room has a definite 
unspoken code of conduct. The first rule 
is: “Don’t microwave fish!” People act all 
grossed out when someone microwaves 
halibut or cod; but honestly, is the odor that 
nauseating? Of course you really shouldn’t 
be eating fish (my vegan soap box), but if 
you’re going to anyway, you should be able 
to enjoy it at work! The second rule is even 
harsher: “Don’t microwave cruciferous 
vegetables!” Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage 
--they all cause the microwave to emit a 
gust of flatulence. I can accept the “no fish” 
rule, but outlawing some of the healthiest 
(and cheapest) veggies is just criminal!

 I did some very light research and found 
that, while people complain about the 
smell of others’ food, there’s an even larger 
group of people who complain about the 
people who complain. (I am in the latter 
group --scandalous, I know!) It’s high 
time that microwavers defend their right 
to enjoy an oily fish or broccoli stir fry!

 Beyond the basic lunch room 
etiquette is a whole system of refrigerator 
maintenance. The fridge inevitably gets 
crowded with forgotten or abandoned food 
items --ranging from soggy to medicinal 
in a penicillin sort of way. Since the 
fridge belongs to everyone (and therefore 
to no one), its cleaning usually has to be 
enforced. For example, in January the 
public relations department is responsible 
for cleaning the fridge on the last Friday of 
the month. “Cleaning” is a relative term 
that usually means throwing out expired 
or unlabeled items. All the employees 
are forewarned of this monthly purging. 
However, some cleaners are ruthless, 
throwing away things that are clearly 
labeled. I recall a friend who suspected 
other coworkers were purposely trashing 
her food. In self defense, she began writing 
a different employee’s office number on her 
food to save it from being dumped. This 
method worked, which is somewhat sad, 
because it confirmed her suspicion that 
she was being targeted.

 
If your food isn’t dumped, that doesn’t 
mean it isn’t safe from predators. Another 
friend told me that her boss had to actually 
email employees to put their name on 
their lunch, and to not eat food they didn’t 
bring. Apparently some people assumed 
unmarked lunches were free for the 
taking, and ate them. All I can imagine 
is the embarrassment of being caught 
consuming your coworker’s sandwich.

 Besides the danger and etiquette related 
to the break room, there can be a whole 
protocol about mere use of the microwave! 
A friend related an experience when she 
unthinkingly inserted her lunch into the 
microwave, only to be stopped by another 
coworker. “Sally,” she scolded, “there’s a 
LINE to use the microwave!” My friend 
surveyed her coworkers in various relaxed 
positions. Any objective assessment of 
the scene wouldn’t have assumed a line 
was present. Sally retrieved her cold 
lunch, silently vowing to buy her own 
microwave and never enter the break 
room again! Popping in a Tupperware 
of potatoes and pork, the microwave 
policewoman conspicuously whispered to 
another coworker, “Don’t worry, Heather, 
I made sure yours got in next!” Oy! With 
coworkers like that who needs enemies? 
Needless to say, Sally soon purchased her 
very own office microwave and has lived 
happily ever after (except for the time 
that the communal microwave broke, and 
everyone lined up at her door to use her 
microwave. She really should’ve charged 
for that). 

 The lessons from this article are: 1) 
if possible, buy your own fridge and 
microwave, 2) if you must use the break 
room fridge, clearly label your items, 3) be 
prepared to defend your right to eat fish 
and brussel sprouts, 4) know you enemy 
--they could be down right nasty or just 
covetous of your Buca di Beppo leftovers, 
5) trust no one!

 My 10-year-old bloodhound, 
“Tatertotts” loves to eat paper. Soft 
paper products such as toilet paper, 
napkins and facial tissue are her 
favorites. I discovered Tater’s paper 
fetish inadvertently one day, when I 
noticed her nudging at the pocket of 
my jacket, where I happened to have 
a tissue stashed away, just in case. 
She was relentless in her pursuit for 
that wad of paper, and even though I 
know she has a nose that can detect 
a scent of just about any kind from 
a mile away, I was still surprised 
that she knew I had a small bit of 
tissue in my pocket, sight un-seen. 
She apparently smelled it through 
the thick denim fabric of my jacket. 
When I refused to give it to her, she 
growled a bit, pushed her enormous 
wet nose right inside my pocket and 
snagged it out. She then proceeded 
to chew on it with a look on her face 
as if I’d given her a piece of tender 
loin! I expected her to spit it out 
eventually, after mashing down with 
her teeth into a saliva soaked ball, but 
instead she swallowed it and looked 
up at me with begging eyes, in hopes 
of talking me into giving her another 
piece! When I said “no more”, she 
started nudging at my jacket again, 
until I finally had to turn my pockets 
inside out to convince her there 
was no more paper there. It struck 
me as strange that she would be so 
intrigued with eating a tasteless 
product such as tissue paper, so I 
decided to do a little research on 
the subject. Meanwhile, I thought it 
would be best to keep paper out of 
Tater’s reach, but she is one sneaky 
girl, and has a way of getting what 
she wants, behind my back. Let’s just 
say she keeps me on my toes!

 As it turns out, puppy paper 
pica (a dog’s desperate desire to eat 
paper) is quite common among 
canines, particularly large breeds. I 
also learned that there are numerous 
theories as to why dogs love to eat 
paper, but I had already formulated 
a couple of theories of my own 
as to the reason for Tater’s 
paper fetish. First of all, Tatertotts 
is a bloodhound with the longest, 
floppiest, sloppiest lips I have ever 
seen on a dog (or any animal, for that 
matter!), and I somehow think that 
chewing on something that “melts 
in her mount” probably provides a 
sensation much like what we feel 
when we chew on gum. For that 
reason, I guess I can understand 
why Tater would want to chew on 
paper, but that doesn’t explain her 
desire to swallow it. I couldn’t help 
wondering why she would want to 
ingest unused napkins and tissues, 
rather than chewing and spitting 
them out, or simply tearing them 
apart and leaving them in a heap the 
way many dogs do. I was quite sure 
Tater did not have any medical issues 
that might cause her to want to eat 
paper, but just to be sure, I consulted 
with my veterinarian and ruled out 
any concerns regarding her health. 
I chose not to be concerned, but to 
continue doing my best to keep her 
away from paper in the future.

 It wasn’t until one day while I 
was picking up Tater’s poop (please 
pardon the graphics) in the back 
yard and saw the “end result” of her 
sneaky fetish that I realized the paper 
that she’d swiped out of the trash can 
the day before had made its way 
through her digestive tract almost 
fully intact! It had changed shape, 
of course, but it appeared to be all 
there, un-torn and in one piece, like 
a long rope twisted tightly together. 
It was then that it dawned on me 
that the paper may have performed 
a practical purpose in the process, 
acting as a sort of bonding agent in 
Tater’s digestive system, and if so, it 
suggested to me that perhaps Tater 
might just need more fiber in her 
diet. I always include some kind of 
fresh vegetable mixed in with her 
dry food, along with a little water 
to help her swallow it easily without 
choking, causing a bloat and twist 
reaction. After finding the paper 
in her poop that day, I decided 
to add more fibrous foods to 
her diet, such as broccoli, sweet 
peas, spinach and lettuce. The new 
additions to Tater’s daily food rations 
certainly have been good for her, 
but by no means has it changed the 
way she feels about paper. That, I’m 
afraid, is a love affair that will last 
forever. I guess Tater’s preferred 
Valentine comes in the form of tissue 
paper rather than a greeting card!

 Some of the theories and opinions 
that I discovered during my “puppy 
pica research” on-line, helped 
confirm my own theory about Tater‘s 
love affair with tissues, but there 
were other indications as to why 
dogs eat paper that took me rather 
by surprise. Boredom, for example 
showed up on several blogs and 
websites as a potential prompt for 
paper pica. Another possible cause 
is puppy promiscuity. Some young 
dogs simply like to get into things, 
much like a human child enjoys 
catching mom off guard by raiding 
the kitchen pantry. Other theories 
have to do with diet or health, while 
others indicate a need to chew in 
general. 

 Whatever the reasons or causes, 
the general consensus is that paper 
pica among canines is unhealthy and 
should be prevented. Over a period 
of time, ingested paper can cause 
serious problems in a dog’s digestive 
system, such as blockage resulting in 
septic shock and internal infections. 
Regardless of the reasons why a dog 
wants to eat paper, it is important 
that the human do whatever it takes 
to keep it out of their reach. Now that 
I know the health risks associated 
with canine paper pica, I am careful 
not to leave facial tissues, napkins or 
toilet paper in a place where Tater 
might get to them. It still remains a 
sort of family joke, though, that Tater 
prefers paper over her store-bought 
doggie treats!