06.16.12 I am amazed by how many otherwise normally intelligent people still insist global warming is a natural phenomenon.
By now, EVERYONE should be on-board this risk management adventure we need to undertake the rest of our lives ... and the lives of our grandchildren ... to ensure delaying the inevitable as long as possible.
It is very simple and daunting.
The people of this planet will invest heavily in delaying the average temperature from rising more than 2 C.
The puzzle is when will we really begin to invest. Will it be in time or too late?
Tyler Hamilton, a writer for the Toronto Star, has produced some very clear and concise columns on this subject for quite a while now.
In his Toronto Star article today, the International Energy Agency (IEA) is now indicating the world must double clean energy infrastructure spending before 2020, to keep average global temperatures from rising 2C. Here is the article from the agency.
To do this, they indicate controlling carbon emissions by moving to clean energy technologies (offshore wind, solar power and carbon capture) and away from fossil burning.
Currently, they report we are on course for a 6 C temperature increase of global CO2 emissions by 2050. CO2 emissions will double by 2050.
They further say "fossil fuels remain dominant and demand continues to grow, locking in high-carbon infrastructure".
Coming from the IEA is a real surprise, as they have been funded by big oil for quite some time. This 38 year old organization's original mandate was to monitor and manage global oil markets (as a result of the 1973 oil crisis).
They indicate governments are much too complacent ... Harper is an excellent example.
IMO, there are two stumbling blocks to government positive action:
funding by big oil and fear of not being re-elected.
I do expect a lot from our elected political representatives.
It continues to amaze me why we support them even when they do not do what we ask or expect.
We really do need to be more responsive ... and ensure they are not re-elected.
Bottom Line:
1. the planet must move from fossil fuels to clean energy ASAP by penalizing fossil fuel use anywhere on the planet (and NOT subsidizing clean energy development)
2. the majority of people on the planet must begin to only support/elect representatives who clearly support immediate carbon reduction
3. governments must force closer of coal and oil production (all major carbon production) in the next 5 years
Facebook is poised to sell shares in itself, the first social network to do so.
Facebook said it would seek to raise $5bn in the stock market flotation, valuing the company at between $75bn and $100bn.
The company's has now revealed many of the facts behind all the pokes, likes and friends for the first time.
What have we learned from the paperwork Facebook has filed with the US authorities?
THE BIG PICTURE
- Facebook is an advertising company. Of its total revenues of $3.7bn in 2011, 85% came from advertising. And that is down from 98% and 95% in the previous two years.
- The company makes $1bn in pure profit.
- Facebook has a total of 845 million monthly users and 483 million daily users.
- Of its monthly users, half have used Facebook on their mobile. (But there are no ads on its mobile site, so it makes no money from them.)
- The majority of its money comes from the US, but the majority of the users are outside the country.
- And the majority of its non-US revenues comes from western Europe, Canada, and Australia.
- The company generates 2.7 billion "likes" and 250 million uploaded photos everyday.
- Zynga, the games maker behind FarmVille, single-handedly accounts for 12% of its revenues.
- The company has 3,200 employees.
- Lady Gaga may have the most popular page on Facebook - with 47 million "likes".
- Facebook's ticker on the stock exchange will be "FB".
MONEY MEN AND WOMEN
- Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and chief executive, has 28% of the company - 533.8 million shares - which are worth $28bn based on an overall valuation of $100bn. He is 27 years old.
- But Mr Zuckerberg is the controlling shareholder because of proxy voting rights. All in, he controls 57% of the shares.
- Mr Zuckerberg's base salary last year was $483,333 and, with bonus, he was paid $1.49m.
- From 1 January 2013, Mr Zuckerberg's annual salary will go down to $1.
























