Global Warming Index

Geoffrey · Junior Poster Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 35

http://www.ubs.com/1/e/media_overview/media_emea/mediareleases.html?newsId=117789

I like the idea of taking money from global warming deniers, assuming that's who would be on the opposite side of the trade.

Only based on 15 US cities so far, so not really global.

rffrydr · Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 10:32 am Post subject:

Nothing is obvious:

http://www.economist.com/science-technology/displaystory.cfm?story_id=15543691
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HenryTo · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 2:01 pm Post subject:

One more piece. Sorry - I just have to put this on here. We have come full circle since April 1975, when Newsweek published an article on "Global Cooling."

http://www.wmconnolley.org.uk/sci/iceage/newsweek-coolingworld.pdf

HenryTo · Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 1:53 pm Post subject:

More on the global warming debate:

http://www.dailytech.com/New+Scandal+Erupts+over+NOAA+Climate+Data/article8347.htm

Geoffrey · Junior Poster Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 35

rffrydr · Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2007 3:58 pm Post subject:

The New Carbon "Market":

http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/06/20/business/money.php
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mtvk · Veteran Poster Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 242

While USA could be leader in many scientific advancements, the
US auto industry is not. While US auto makers keep saying
any increase in price of car due to higher fuel efficiency will
reduce their sales, Japanese are selling more cars with
higher price and with higher fuel efficiency. Some times
I think if the auto industry bosses are given a kick back from
oil industry.

At present there is technology to have cars running at 7o or even
100 miles a gallon. PG&E demonstrated a Prius car with that high
fuel efficiency. http://www.google.org/recharge/ is taking the
leadership in this than the auto industry.

Many ingredients used in many cosmetics, home
construction, in cars and so on, are toxic and they do
have alternatives. But the industry doesn't like the change.

Leadership is missing. Whether global warming is a myth or
not, the awareness of the toxins and radiation to general
public need to be increased. Not just kept in research labs.

nodoodahs · Moderator Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 2408

Lots of trade-offs involved, and no one with the moral authority to enforce them. Division of labor and capitalist exchange tends to increase pollutants by increasing industrial production, but it also increases quality of life and standards of living. The same production that pollutes enables millions to avoid starving from lack of food production, or dying in infancy from a lack of potable water or lack of access to simple chemical cures for childhood diseases.

Put me on the side of the polluters.

For what it's worth, the human tendency is to focus on problems after they've already passed their peak. See for reference the current war on smokers, when smoking was already on a decline for decades before the war commenced.
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mtvk · Veteran Poster Joined: 12 Jun 2007 Posts: 242

nodoodahs,

I understand deniers of Global warming. Global warming or
not, those who deny it can't close their eyes to diseases
that the air pollution has caused.

In the evolution of human beings, humans were not subjected
to this much air pollution. Same with radiation. In the name of
economic growth alone one can't close their eyes to these
side effects. While many human advancements were good
for the humans and the rest of the species, air pollution
caused by fossil fuel burning and other toxic chemicals
released by so many industries are not.

Chinese stock market may soar, but the health of many Chinese
may get worse.

nodoodahs · Moderator Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 2408

Well, you know I'm already in the "denier" camp.
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I haven’t seen a beatin’ like that since somebody stuck a banana in my pants and turned a monkey loose.

HenryTo · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 9:15 am Post subject:

Ongoing debate about Global Warming. Note that I haven't done any research on this issue at this stage, but just wanted to post some arguments:

http://www.dailytech.com/NOAA+Global+Warming+Data+Challenged/article7723.htm

rffrydr · Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 5:26 pm Post subject:

Drought scare, particularly world: Urals, Australia, etc. got grains pegged on highs.
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Today is the Tomorrow you worried about Yesterday!

rffrydr · Posted: Thu May 24, 2007 7:11 am Post subject:

Heat migrating up the Mississippi from to New Orleans to Chicago (vs. rising through Texas normally) robust early indicator of drought.

Of course there's a drought every year in the grain market. I'll be looking to exit short corn calls.
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nodoodahs · Moderator Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 2408

It might be fair to say that speculative interest in any commodity contract varies with said contract's movement, and speculative interest can create a feedback loop. Gold may be an extreme example; used by miners and industries to hedge their costs of production or streamline profits, when it moves up, it's primarily because the speculators create contracts with no intention of delivering (or accepting delivery).

Index construction is fraught with peril. The devil is truly in the details.
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I haven’t seen a beatin’ like that since somebody stuck a banana in my pants and turned a monkey loose.

Geoffrey · Junior Poster Joined: 06 Apr 2006 Posts: 35

nodoodahs · Moderator Joined: 06 May 2005 Posts: 2408

Most likely, you'll be simply providing liquidity to an industry that needs a hedge. In other words, your profits (losses) will help stabilize the earnings flow of utilities providers.

Many if not most of the "deniers," myself included, will be ignoring those contracts.
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I haven’t seen a beatin’ like that since somebody stuck a banana in my pants and turned a monkey loose.