NO SNOW!!

Re calculating energy budget... there is something similar at mec.ca - you can take an "eco footprint" test:<br><br> www.mec.ca/Apps/ecoCalc/ecoCalc.jsp

Charles - the best advice I've been able to find on the subject of how out individual choices impact the environment (a little broader look than simply energy impact, though of course energy use looms large in this analysis) is The<br>Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the<br>Union of Concerned Scientists ( www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0...654-6495853?v=glance )  read the first chapter here: www.ucsusa.org/publications/report.cfm?publicationID=130 . If you want to know whther your choice of washing machine or your habit of buying high tech gear makes the bigger difference, buy the book.

RG - burning jet fuel certainly contributes to global warming (see www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn2926 and news-service.stanford.edu/news/2001/february14/soot-214.html ), and though I didn't find a clear comparison to other activities, my gut tells me that Charles is not far off on relative impacts. Also, though our local power sources are hydro, given the interconnectedness of the power grid, a chair lift ride here may cause a need to burn more coal elsewhere. So, as you say, the subject is a bit complicated. However, thanks to folks like the UCS, we can decide on some simple steps we can all take that will make a real impact. The point of their book is to help consumers not be paralyzed by the complexity of the topic.

From today's Seattle Times, p. A11:<br><br>

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia<br><br>KYOTO PROTOCOL WINS OIL GIANT'S BACKING<br> <br>Saudi Arabia, the world's biggest oil exporter, yesterday gave its approval to the Kyoto protocol, which aims to slow global warming, the official Saudi Press Agency said. <br> <br>As a developing country, Saudi Arabia would not be subject to emissions cuts under Kyoto, a requirement only binding 30 industrialized nations. But Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi has said his country expects to lose billions of dollars in oil sales as developed nations cut fossil-fuel use to stem greenhouse-gas emissions. <br> <br>Saudi Arabia has called for research to improve technology to recover greenhouse gases at the point of production of fossil fuels, easing the impact of environmental measures on oil exporters.

<br><br>Meanwhile, in the United States ... <br><br>Bush/Cheney: Building a Bridge to the 19th Century!<br>

This quote from the Seattle Times:<br><br>"Stevens Pass usually opens by the end of November, Vandenbrink said, ushering in more than 500,000 seasonal snow enthusiasts who participate in downhill or cross-country skiing, snowboarding or inner-tubing. During the past 20 years, there have only been four December openings, and even that is in question this year, Vandenbrink said"<br><br>We're looking to break some records I'd say this season. <br><br>

<br><br>Meanwhile, in the United States ... <br><br>Bush/Cheney: Building a Bridge to the 19th Century!<br>

<br><br>You know were in good hands when a Bush and Dick are running the country.

From today's Seattle Times, p. A11:<br><br><br>Meanwhile, in the United States ... <br><br>Bush/Cheney: Building a Bridge to the 19th Century!<br>

<br><br>Did you really read what the article said. Saudi Arabia backs the Kyoto Protocol but is not held to the agreement. Their backing of this thing means nothing....... If they would force ALL countries that signed it to have to live up to its standards then you would see most of the countries bail. All these 3rd world countries want this to go through because the USA and other modern (civilized) countries would suffer while they benifit by having industries relocate to their countries.... It is a horrible horrible deal.<br><br>Mt StHelens spews out more CO2 then Kyoto could ever hope to remove. It would do nothing except raise the cost of living for everyone and pocket more money for the government lobbiest partners that are pushing for this stuff.<br><br>