Richard E

Maybe your university has covered their entire roof with solar panels, made an alliance with local organic farmers, or purchased hundreds of acres of rainforest to save precious species....

The academic world (often) advocates principles of sustainability, but what do universities do themselves to put these nice principles in practice? I am creating a booklet of best practices on academic institutions, and i am especially intersted in projects that are initiated by students, or that are doen in cooperation with small business or companies. The booklet is meant to inspire managers, teachers, policymakers and students in the Netherlands to start greening their universities.

Links are most appreciated

In other words: suppose we quit emitting all co2 right now, freezing the concentration at approx 380 ppm. How long would it take for global mean temperatures to reach equilibrium (i.e. to quit rising)?

I think there is two parts to this question: 1) how long does it take for the CO2 in he atmosphere to reach its full potential for heat capture?

It seems rather unbelievable that the effects would take place right away. Just like a room is not fully warmed the minute you turn on the heater

2) How long before feedback loops reach equilibrium. I guess there is little exact data on this one. Are there any estimates on how long it would take for negative or positive feedbacks to reach equilibrium again?

I've asked this before, but i didn't really get an answer. I hope i catch some climate scientist who can link me to the proper articles this time!

When CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere, it starts to trap heat. When the atmosphere becomes warmer, it will radiate more heat into space. The atmosphere becomes warmer until the outflux of radiation equals the incoming radiation. How long does it take before an equilibrium is reached?

How long before todays emissions take their full effect?

4 out of 10 top-contributors in the Global Warming section have made their Q's and A's private. Should those who wish to enjoy the status and authority that comes with the title of top-contributor, be obliged to give insight in the questions and answers that granted them this title?

Isn't the purpose of this site to share knowledge? What good is a contribution if these contributions then are private?

I think this is especially important in the Global Warming section. Something of a debate has started here, and if people claim to be the the "top answerer in the Global Warming section in Yahoo Answers and one of the most knowledgeable people in that subject and Alternative Fuel Vehicles", enter debate with that authority, i think it is essential for the debate to know where such a person is coming from.

What do you think? Would this be fair to ask? Would it help to open the debate? Would this raise the quality of the answers?

Carbon offsetting is paying money so somebody else can plant trees or buy solar panels to compensate for your CO2 emitting life-style, like flying to Honolulu, or driving an over sized car.

What do you think? Does this help to combat climate change? Is it justified to buy your right to pollute? Is this a political solution, or a rational one?

Be sure to check this sight for a heavily biased view on the topic:

http://www.cheatneutral.com/