I live in the Midwest. And let me tell you, winter took a long time to get here. I wasn't even close to having a White Christmas. It was depressing almost, how warm it was for a while. Mentioning single examples of outlying weather is bunk (and manipulative and irritating too), and it goes against what the definition of a "climate" really is - an average. Even besides that, "global warming" is a broad statement for what really adds up to "climate change." Some parts might warm, some parts might cool, but generally, we're changing our environment way too quickly, with some ruinous effects (e.g. ecosystems). The uncertainty of what's going to happen is really the worst part.
After using my father's TAIG MicroMill to make countless circuit boards for power electronics designs, I decided to build my own custom CNC mill for less money than one could be bought. I used threaded rod from Home Depot coupled with rollerblade bearings and angle brackets held together with JB-Weld, $5 surplus stepper motors, and my own custom control box. I used no plans - everything was totally from scratch, with no help from anyone. It isn't completed yet, but I've got one-axis movement right now, and plan to finish it sometime soon. It's not super-accurate but it's what I need for PCBs.
What would I use these PCBs for, you ask? I'm building an AC induction motor controller for my grandfather's electric car. [My grandfather helped restore Mrs. Henry Ford's personal electric car for the Henry Ford Museum.] It's currently been a six-year project, and the car does run right now, but I need to make some further improvements in the electronics (a multilevel converter if any of you has any clue what that means).
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/awmatt/lab.html http://mywebpages.comcast.net/awmatt/pcbdev.html
I also used my great-grandfather's lathe to machine some other parts:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/awmatt/mech.html
Obviously, I find EVs a fun hobby. But my convictions to renewable energy are very strong. I try to be a logical person (my mind is technical, as you can tell), and I also have learned, through my renewable energy interest, to see past the cover some individuals put up to confuse or manipulate me.
I have no doubt human-activity-induced global warming is occuring right now - in fact I don't see how it could be avoided given the huge amount of greenhouse gases we're emitting. We're just putting the earth back to the way it was to begin with - hot and with a thick atmosphere (read uninhabitable). Having 2005 be the warmest year on record (almost tied with 1998) frightens me. The second link below says, "Astonishingly, every single year since 1992 is in the current list of the 20 warmest years on record." There is just no way this is due to something random, and no large volcanoes have gone off recently either. I don't see how this could be more obvious; I really don't. Being a jerk about it and denying it doesn't make you any smarter - researching it might. I personally don't get too much pleasure from having power to say whatever I want, no matter how ridiculous, on "my own forum," but if some people do, I guess that's fine (though irresponsible at best). I do like to share my ideas and successes when they're backed with a lot of hard scientific research and hands-on development.
http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming...dtemp2005.html http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming...gerprints.html
In addition to my personal EV hobby, and also building a DC motor controller for someone else as a semi-open-source project, I'm the president of the Michigan State University Solar Car Team. On Thursday we're planning to inherit the GM EV1 from the University's storage facility. I personally plan to restore the car's electronics and get it to run. Lots of students are excited about this - it's a very positive experience, and the wave of the future (as we're quickly running out of oil, since we're so wasteful with it). This is between my other duties as a Master's EE candidate; I graduated BSEE with high honors last May.
One of my publications towards my BSEE, in case you still doubt my logical ability:
http://www.egr.msu.edu/~mattes12/appnote3.pdf
[I was recommended by one of the vice presidents of Texas Instruments to work a consulting job that pays nearly $50/hour. Still think I'm not logical about global warming?]
- Arthur Matteson