Is It Getting Hotter In Here?

Yesterday, I blogged about how the arctic ice is melting faster than models have predicted. Today, another example of models being inaccurate - in the bad direction.

An article last week from CNN (click here to read it) suggests that cities in the eastern US could be getting a whole lot hotter in coming decades. Former NASA scientist Barry Lynn, one of the study authors, stated "the problem is most computer models, especially when compared to their predictions of past observations, underestimate how bad global warming is. That's because they see too many rainy days, which tends to cool temperatures off, he said."

Who knows how accurate these models are versus other climate models. But, I have not yet seen any that suggest that climate change may not be as bad as predicted.

GM shows plug-in hybrid concept car

CNN reports that GM unveiled a plug-in hybrid vehicle that uses a small gasoline engine only when necessary to recharge the batteries. The Chevy Volt can drive for about 40 miles of "suburban driving" and recharges in about 6.5 hours.

Maybe GM is trying to make up for killing the EV-1 (see "Who Killed The Electric Car" for more information about this reference) by being the first US car company to bring this much-needed product to market!

My hope is that GM - and other car companies - will unveil plug-in hybrids like the Chevy Volt as soon as possible. We need to move away from a transportation sector powered by oil and toward one that is powered by electricity. With plug-in hybrids, the stage could be set for cars powered by renewable-based energy.