Scott Richardson's column (Pantagraph, Nov. 2) is proof that global warming alarmism is more religion than science. The believers have their messiah, Al Gore, who is not a scientist and has refused all monetary offers to debate the science.

If Gore truly believes a catastrophe is imminent, then why does his personal residence use over 35 times more electricity than the average family?

Current data does not support that any warming is occurring. Satellite data shows that temperatures have been steady for the last 10 years and nowhere near the projections cited by Richardson. In fact, this year's current global temperature is averaging less than 0.015 degrees above the normal.

The most damning evidence, though, comes from Roy Spencer. In his work, Spencer presents scientific evidence that our climate is insensitive to carbon dioxide, meaning that carbon dioxide levels could be increased - or decreased - without any noticeable change in global temperatures.

His finding counters one of the basic doctrines of the believers - that carbon dioxide causes a positive feedback - the so called "tipping point." All computer models depend on the existence of this feedback. Rather, Spencer shows how global temperatures are linked to something called the Pacific Decadal Oscillation - PDO - implying that almost all of the warming and cooling seen in the 20th century was natural.

The PDO is an approximate 30-year cycle in the Pacific Ocean that switches between positive and negative phases. Each phase tends to favor more events of El Nino - warming - or La Nina - cooling - of the equatorial waters in this ocean and the temperature records strongly correlate.

After examining Spencer's work, I am convinced that observed climate changes are mostly natural. Unlike the believers who refuse all debate, I would welcome any opportunity to present my evidence.

R. John Muench

Normal

Run for County Board increased understanding

The results are in, and after five long months of hard work, I'm saddened to say that team "Vote Van Allen for County Board" has come up just a few votes short. On the bright side, we earned the votes of over 1,800 people, 400 more than Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

In a tough election year where many voted along party lines, this was a huge win!

I'd like to congratulate Paul Segobiano on his election to the McLean County Board, where he has secured enough votes to represent the district for an unprecedented 40 years.