Dr. Klaus L.E. Kaiser

Credit Rating

The bureaucrats of the European Parliament have proposed a new law that would allow them to forbid Credit Rating Agencies (CRAs) from publishing assessments of their countries’ credit ratings [1]. The lawmakers are upset about recent rating downgrades of European states by major CRAs.

“Dear Aunt Solyndra,”

-Satire- Dear Aunt Solyndra, Sorry not have written to you for a while. Life is just so hectic. I have been very busy with my new company, the Green Wonder Technology Inc. We are making all kinds of novel green energy systems from solar panels, to windmills, to geothermal heating units, to algae scum and more. Well, we are not actually making any of such things yet, but the government grants for these promising enterprises should be coming thru very soon.

The Red Herring CO2

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is claimed to be THE greenhouse gas villain. Al Gore, and many others, including the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), governments, industrial leaders and, of course, countless "NGOs" (Non Government Organizations) have proclaimed it for years. Well, that proposition is becoming eroded even faster than your savings.

Just GRAND!

My new granddaughter - not yet a week old – definitely has smartphone thumbs. Of course, a few years from now - I am convinced – babies will be BORN clutching a smartphone or similar device in their little hands. Then a grandparent’s question will no longer be “what’s his/her name,” but “what model i-something is it?” Also, I believe, there will be a new, mandatory, infant-dexterity-test coming soon, such as “does he/she have adequate thumb dexterity” or something of that kind.

Dear Cousin Punxsutawney Phil,

Once again, mid-winter is near, and it’s time to send you my annual greetings. Hope you and the family are alright and enjoying life at the edge of the meadow; any more offspring coming along? Here in Canada, winter has been quite miserable so far; much too cold in some areas and far too warm in others. Just can’t rely on Mother Nature anymore. What a change from the good old days. But, as you know, winter ain’t over until the blizzards are replaced by warm spring rains. Some climatologists in Germany say it’s getting colder because it’s getting warmer, or perhaps the other way around. I find it all a bit confusing but am sure it’s very scientific. In any event, whether warming or cooling, we are eagerly looking forward to a fine spring.

Double Digit Growth

“Double Digit Growth” (DDG) is de rigueur, particularly the “double digit” part. However, it may still not be enough. If you invest in stocks, you’ll learn that anything less than double digit growth of revenue, or expectation for such is unacceptable. At least, that’s what the markets tell you. Anything less than DDG and, typically, the stock is being pummeled severely.

Missed the Train?

By a second? Don’t worry – nature is coming to your rescue. The World is slowing down to accommodate you. First of all, 2012, being a leap year, you’ll have another day to get ready. But the real question is whether or not this year will be longer by a “leap second” as well.

The Hagia Sophia, and Freedom of Religion

The Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, not far from the well known Blue Mosque, has been the centre point of the Eastern Orthodox Church for over one thousand years. The first recorded structure dates back to the 4^th century. The current structure was built in the 6^th century. In 1453, Sultan Mehmed II conquered Constantinople, renamed it to Istanbul and converted the Hagia Sophia to an Islamic mosque. Then, in 1935, with the secularization of Turkey under Kemal Ataturk, the Hagia Sophia was declared to be a state-owned museum. It still is an imposing edifice today.

Green Bubblings

The green bubble is slowly deflating. Grand UN conferences and massive amounts of government subsidies to green enterprises notwithstanding, people around the world are rapidly becoming disenchanted with the green promises.

Santa is on the Run ...

... from climate change that is. According to the David Suzuki Foundation [1], “Climate Change is melting the North Pole and it’s no longer safe for Santa.” But don’t despair, dear children, just buy some virtual gifts from the Suzuki club, and they will help Santa to find a new place to live. See for yourselves: As Johann Tetzel (1465-1519), appointed as Commissioner of Indulgences by Pope Leo X, proclaimed “Sobald das Geld im Kasten klingt, die Seele in den Himmel springt.” Translation: “When the coin in the coffer rings / the soul to heaven springs.”

What is a Climate Threshold?

The science, we were told some years ago is settled. But now, it appears, we are not so sure anymore. In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned the world that a climate catastrophe was just around the corner, if we didn’t curtail carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The IPCC was awarded a Nobel peace prize for that work. Co-Nobel-laureate Al Gore has made millions from his book and (so-called) documentary film An Inconvenient Truth, prognosticating doom and gloom.

Fort Knox and Candies on Credit

Economists around the world are in a quandary; despite massive stimulation programs, the world economy is losing steam.

7 Quadrillion Barrels of Oil – Down the Drain

As recently as 10,000 years ago, much of the world’s northern hemisphere was covered with a solid sheet of ice, anywhere from 2,000 to 4,000 m thick. Most of it has disappeared - melted away since. How much energy was required to melt that mega-ice cube?

Renewable Energy

A few days ago, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its updated report on renewable energy sources and the world’s energy demand.

Suzuki, DEA, MEA and TEA

David Suzuki, Canada's high priest of all things natural is at it again, raising money that is. The David Suzuki Foundation (DSF) is mailing out requests for donations with statements like "We must stem the flow of toxic chemicals into our bodies..." and a "Sustainable Shoppers Guide" that cautions you about "a dirty dozen ingredients to avoid in your cosmetics". Today's message is about the "EAs."

Suzuki and Cyclosiloxanes

David Suzuki, Canada’s high priest of all things natural is at it again, raising money that is. The David Suzuki Foundation is mailing out requests for donations with statements like “We must stem the flow of toxic chemicals into our bodies...” and a “Sustainable Shoppers Guide” that cautions you about “a dirty dozen ingredients to avoid in your cosmetics”. Today’s message is about cyclosiloxanes.

Suzuki and Coal Tar Dyes

David Suzuki, Canada’s high priest of all things natural is at it again, raising money that is. The David Suzuki Foundation (DSF) is mailing out requests for donations with statements like “We must stem the flow of toxic chemicals into our bodies...” and a “Sustainable Shoppers Guide” that cautions you about “a dirty dozen ingredients to avoid in your cosmetics”.

Dirty Coal

In recent years, many politicians encouraged and supported electricity generation from "alternative" or "renewable" energy sources, such as wind and solar, and from natural gas. At the same time, they invented a new term for the traditional energy source (coal), namely "dirty coal."

The Bisphenol A Controversy

Bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, is in the news, again. BPA has been around for decades in a multitude of consumer products. Should it be of concern to you?

Sea-Ice in the Arctic

There are two major organizations measuring, via satellite reconnaissance, the extent of the sea-ice in the Arctic, namely the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) (1) and the International Arctic Research Center (IARC) (2). Their measurements differ routinely by nearly 1,000,000 km^2 ( or about 10%). Why are they so different?