THE US REPORT

Commentary by Kay B. Day

Provincial Governor Joey Salceda (Albay, the Philippines) missed the climate change gala in Copenhagen because the Mayon volcano came closer to a major eruption. The National Disaster Coordinating Council (Philippines) update issued Tuesday said the alert level of Mayon Volcano was raised “from ALERT LEVEL 2 to ALERT LEVEL 3 which means that magma is close to the crater and hazardous explosive eruption is imminent.”

Salceda had planned to go to Copenhagen to talk about typhoons and natural disasters affecting his province said the Associated Press.

The NDCC update reported “23 volcanic quakes were also recorded from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM 14 December 2009.”

The area affected by Mayon is in a volcanic hot spot—the Pacific Ring of Fire.

This photographic print on a stereo card showing Mayon Volcano in the background dates to 1906.[Image is from the US Library of Congress.]
The US Geologic Survey said, “Volcanoes are not randomly distributed over the Earth's surface. Most are concentrated on the edges of continents, along island chains, or beneath the sea forming long mountain ranges. More than half of the world's active volcanoes above sea level encircle the Pacific Ocean to form the circum-Pacific ‘Ring of Fire.’"

Financiers like former US vice president and failed presidential candidate Al Gore, the de facto leader of manmade global warming theory despite the fact he has no formal background in science,  have helped create a negative impression among so-called ‘developing countries’ that developed countries are the cause of all their environmental woes. But a number of leaders in those countries dismiss reality.

For instance, a 1997 USGS report said, “Finally, explosive volcanic eruptions release the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and thus provide a deep source of carbon for biogeochemical cycles.” The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991 caused what is believed to be “the largest aerosol disturbance of the stratosphere in this century.” The report also noted that scientists “now know” the volcanic gas is “an important agent of global change.”

In 1814 Mayon erupted, killing more than 1,200 people.

Obviously volcanoes play an important part in climate change. At the moment many believe the focus for financiers like Gore is on investment for profit via carbon trading and taxes. It would seem the focus would be better placed on preparing for disaster relief, replenishing natural resources like forests, protecting grasslands, long range planning to relocate those who live in sensitive ecological areas as is done in developing nations and holding leaders of developing nations accountable for the generous aid paid by developed nations.

Volcanoes beneath the sea also seriously impact climate.

It is known that submerged volcanoes play a part in tsunamis. Billions of dollars from developed countries are directed towards studies attempting to prove global warming is manmade. Yet funding for the study of volcanoes submerged beneath the seas is woefully inadequate.

Australian National University professor Richard Arculus said, “If any one of these underwater volcanoes either explosively erupts or collapses in a sudden movement, it would have a massive impact on the ocean, triggering a tsunami which could devastate communities across the region. There is evidence from new high-resolution images of these volcanoes that these events have happened many times in the past.”

Arculus, said Physorg, is “one of few Australian researchers currently engaged in researching submerged volcanoes.” The well-respected website also said, “One of the world’s most active volcanic areas is a relatively unknown part of the seabed between New Zealand and Tonga, and could trigger a devastating tsunami at any moment.” Yet funds available for ocean research are sparse.

At present the bulk of funding is directed to research politically skewed to prove manmade carbon impact theories about fossil fuels,  and dissent is not only unwelcome but skeptics are vilified.

Global warming alarmists descended to the depths of depravity by labeling scientists and other experts who disagree with the alarmist approach to climate change ‘deniers.’ Misappropriating that label for propaganda purposes insults millions who died during the Holocaust.

It might be argued that in imposing global taxes on developed nations, thereby further disrupting economies, that developing nations will be harmed if the day comes when aid must be reduced. It might also be argued that propaganda in the name of science and persecution of developed nations is reminiscent of the Inquisition when organized religion wielded power and controlled governments and assets.

It might be argued that lying to people in the name of profit is morally wrong.

As Copenhagen parties, a volcano is speaking. Those who seek solutions through the myopic lens of limiting manmade carbon might well listen. It is quite likely Gov. Salceda would have learned nothing that would have done anything tangible to help the thousands who live in the shadow of Mayon.