LETTERS TO THE EDITOR (January 27, 1992)

I read the article “A common-sense view of environmental issues” (T.N.M., Dec. 30/91) by Jack Patterson of the British Columbia & Yukon Chamber of Mines with great interest. His column summarizes in an informative way the dilemma now being faced by all industries.

I might add to his list of “errata” that global warming has been correlated to solar activity at a significant level of 95% by two Danish geophysicists. The high degree of correlation precludes the relevance of other statistical factors, anthropogenic or not.

Were CO2 (or any other factor) of any importance, the correlation coefficient would likely be much lower. The interpretation is that the earth has been generally warming; the Sahara and other deserts have been enlarging since the Pleistocene glaciation ended.

Mankind has been migrating because of climate change since the dawn of history. This is nothing new. Let’s do something about the symptoms: starvation, disease and poverty that go with the dislocation. How on earth is the West ever going to convince the people of the Peoples Republic of China to stop burning fossil fuel? Send some biased environmental lobbyists? We have been preaching to the converted for too long. Let’s open up our knowledge of the ecology to others. At the expense of creating a bandwagon, it is time for a continuing conference and a magazine or major publication relating both sides of the story, a world view of the real devil — population doubling in the next four decades.

I would suggest dedicating the activities to the memory of the late William Gross, founder of Lacana Mining, who attempted to correct many of today’s inaccuracies a generation ago.

Francis Manns

Artesian Mineral Associates

Toronto