Pete's 'Today In History' Quiz: Global Warming

Showing posts with label Global Warming. Show all posts

Monday, 3 August 2009

Comets Not Responsible for Extinctions

In a paper published in Science magazine, researchers from the University of Washington, Seattle have concluded that it is not likely that many of the extinctions on Earth were caused by cometary collisions. Whilst this is very interesting, it still leaves the question - if not comets, then what did cause these mass extinctions? Global warming?

Monday's questions are: -

Which crime writer was born in Oxford today in 1920 and created the detective Adam Dalgliesh?
What is the first name of Radio and TV broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan (right) who was born today in 1938 in Limerick?
Which First World War poet was born today in 1887 and wrote the poem "The Soldier" that begins, "If I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field, That is for ever England."?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Kuwait; 2. Eight ; 3. Adolf Hitler

Monday, 27 April 2009

Swine Flu vs Global Warming

Is the world on the verge of a global pandemic of Swine Flu? Maybe we are, but is it such a bad thing? The worst flu pandemic killed 50 million people in 1918 - 1919; that's about 3% of the World's population at the time. If this Swine Flu were to be as devastating the death toll would be about 200 million worldwide.

So, would that be a sufficient reduction in the human race to have an effect on Global Warming? Probably not, but it does mystify me that scientists put so much effort into preventing loss of life when it is the abundance of human life on our planet that is having such a devastating effect on Earth's biosphere. Go figure!

Enough ranting here are your Monday's teasers: -

Who was born today in 1822 and became the 18th President of the United States in 1869?
Actor Jack Klugman (right) was born today in 1922 and played which Medical Examiner on TV from 1976 to 1983?
Who was born today in 1737 and wrote "The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire"?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. John Wilkes Booth; 2. 1948 London Olympics; 3. Spain

Wednesday, 11 March 2009

Sea Levels to Rise Faster

Copenhagen is the venue for 2,000 climate scientists to meet this week to discuss Global Warming. Apparently, sea levels are expected to rise by as much as 1 metre by the end of the century. However, I'm still not convinced that Man created this situation, nor am I convinced that we have the capability to stop it. Read the following piece about how the solar wind has dropped off (link here) and see how astronomical events could possibly be of far more significance than our puny efforts!

Your Wednesday questions are: -

What is the first name of media magnate Rupert Murdoch (below) who was born today in 1931?
What song did Bobby McFerrin (below), who was born today in 1950, take to No. 2 in 1988?
John Barrowman (below), who was born today in 1967 in Glasgow, plays which character in the TV series “Torchwood” and “Doctor Who”?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Sweden; 2. "Walker, Texas Ranger"; 3. Barry Sheene

Tuesday, 6 January 2009

Is Global Warming Over?

Here in Birmingham it is pretty cold at the moment. The first time for many years that we've had such a prolonged cold snap in December/January. So, is Global Warming over? No chance, as Philip Eden said on Radio 5 Live this evening, "You have to distinguish between weather and climate!" Apparently, the variations in weather are much broader than the gradual change in the climate.

So, to the Global Warming naysayers, you'll need a better reason for not believing in the new 'religion' of Global warming!

Before the glaciers melt and London is deluged in the floods I'd better give you the questions: -

Alex Turner, vocalist and lead guitarist of which Sheffield based band, was born today in 1986?

Which American skater was attacked, suffering knee damage, today in 1994, but went on to win a Silver medal at the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer?

Who was born today in 1925 in Detroit and is pictured (below) with his most famous car?

Yesterday's Answers: 1. Italy (Rome); 2. Shetlands; 3. "Stargate: Atlantis"