The problem with such models is that they can not take into account the reduction of greenhouse gases over the years. The model just uses current trends to make predictions.

We the new focus on climate change, the President’s agenda could raise our energy bills despite the efforts we make as a family to conserve energy. The White House wants the US to cut carbon dioxide emissiosn in 2010 by 17 percent from 2005 levels. A goal was also set to cut emissions by 83% by 2050. This will supposedly translate into a cost of about $173 per year for an average family.

However, others have said the increase could be as much as $5 per day in high energy seasons such as winter and summer. This could translate into $150 per month additional costs. Unless the job market turns around soon, this amount could really hurt American families.

Before the Hurricane season, the NOAA predicted that we would have above average activity. This prediction was changed in August to predict below average activity. Twenty one names are chosen for storms during the season, but only six have been used so far this year.

The biggest hurricane this year was Hurricane Bill which was a category four hurricane. This hurricane touched ground at Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, Canada with the estimated damage being $1.2 million dollars.

Many environmentalists have predicted an increase in hurricanes and storms due to global warming, yet these predictions have not really reached fruition.

I have never been fortunate to visit SeaWorld in Florida (although I have visited the one in California). Next time I go to Florida, I want to try one of the beautiful Westgate resorts in Orlando. I hear that they are great places to stay!

These facts were posted on CBS.com:

FACT: If every American home replaced just one light bulb with an Energy Star qualified bulb, we would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars.

FACT: You save about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb’s lifetime. The average U.S. household has 45 light bulbs; replacing that number of 75-watt incandescent bulbs with CFLs would save $180 per year.

FACT: CFL bulbs produce about 75 percent less heat, so they’re safer to operate and can cut energy costs associated with home cooling.

A new solution to car insurance may be coming soon. As you may realize, the more miles you drive, the more likely you will be to get in an accident. Yet, you will pay the same price for auto insurance if you drive 5,000 a year or 20,000 miles a year. The new insurance would charge you based on the number of miles you drive each year.

The Brooking Institute completed a study and found that if all California drives switched to the new plan, 64% would save money on their premiums with about $276 a year savings per car.

Another interesting thought. Would this plan also help the environment? If you are charged auto premiums based on the number of miles you drive, will you cut down on driving time to save money?

On the other hand, the proponent of Global Warming, Al Gore, only has 8 bathrooms in his house. It must be hard having so few bathrooms. The house consumes as much energy than the average American home consumes in ONE YEAR. Of course, I am sure that Al Gore is buying carbon offsets because he is rich and he can.

We all hear the same story, we must save this planet, do all that we can. Too bad some people don’t take their own advice.

• The program, which will supposedly save an average of 800,000 metric tons of CO2 per year adds up to only 0.21 percent of Australian emissions.
• Using the bulbs will reduce world emissions by 0.003 percent.
• The increase in the amount of coal that China will burn by 2020 is equivalent to 3 billion Ford Expeditions each driven 15,000 miles a year. (It would take Ford 15,000 years to sell that many Expeditions).

Unfortunately, these small changes really DO NOT make a difference. We need to look at the big picture and concentrate on solving the bigger and costlier environmental problems.

PS – Don’t forget that the compact fluorescent bulbs also contain mercury which is considered to be harmful in the environment as well.