Read an interesting book - Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines by Richard A. Muller - in which I was amazed to learn that the we have sufficient coal to supply all of our power needs for many decades through the process of coal gasification. Now coal gasification requires expensive plants to be built and the process is too expensive unless oil remains above $60 a barrel. Hmm, I thought, what has been the price of oil lately? But before I could go invest in a company that could provide fuel for the USA for the next century, I realized of course that coal gasification is a no-go because of global warming. Now who, I thought, has an interest in both seeing oil prices high and keeping the USA dependent on foreign oil? Is it too much of a leap to think that the planners behind OPEC recognized years ago that as oil demand and price increased, it would be necessary to prevent the development by the USA of alternative sources of energy that could compete economically. But how could this be done in the dynamic US free market economy which time and again provides solutions to the USA's (and mankind's) needs? The expected solution must become Verboten. Hence, the rise in the "science" of global warming, well funded and positioned to make common cause with the environmentalists. Itswas a brilliant move as it has taken off the table an energy source that would provide jobs and keep money in America now.
While I am extremely skeptical of the proposition that we have caused or significantly contributed to global warming, I do not wish to give the impression that Professor Muller shares the same skepticism in his thoroughly enjoyable and informative book. He is very even-handed and recognizes that global warming has occurred although he is not (as far as I can recall although since it was a library book I cannot check and am going from memory) certain as to the cause.
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