No fireplaces and CSX ownership

So now the global warming crowd is saying we must cease producing carbon dioxide altogether.

The task of cutting greenhouse gas emissions enough to avert a dangerous rise in global temperatures may be far more difficult than previous research suggested, say scientists who have just published studies indicating that it would require the world to cease carbon emissions altogether within a matter of decades.

Their findings, published in separate journals over the past few weeks, suggest that both industrialized and developing nations must wean themselves off fossil fuels by as early as mid-century in order to prevent warming that could change precipitation patterns and dry up sources of water worldwide.

Using advanced computer models to factor in deep-sea warming and other aspects of the carbon cycle that naturally creates and removes carbon dioxide (CO2), the scientists, from countries including the United States, Canada and Germany, are delivering a simple message: The world must bring carbon emissions down to near zero to keep temperatures from rising further.

"The question is, what if we don't want the Earth to warm anymore?" asked Carnegie Institution senior scientist Ken Caldeira, co-author of a paper published last week in the journal Geophysical Research Letters. "The answer implies a much more radical change to our energy system than people are thinking about."

Yeah, like everyone will stop lighting fires between now and 2050.

Pardon my while I doubt, and while I enjoy my fireplace.

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Make of this next what you will. It's from a news release issued by Nick Rahall's office today.

WASHINGTON, DC – During a recent House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials hearing entitled “Investment in the Rail Industry” U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) expressed his concerns about the future of the railroad industry in southern West Virginia, including the increased influence of a foreign-based hedge fund on the CSX Railroad and the Greenbrier Resort.

“After many years of decline, the railroad industry is on its way to regaining its status as a crucial component of the American economy,” said Rahall. “Now, more than ever, we must pay careful attention to any investment or business transaction regarding railroads that could jeopardize the transportation infrastructure and economy of our Nation.”

As Vice-Chairman and long-time member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rahall has been deeply involved in the revitalization of the railroad industry across the Nation, especially in West Virginia. ...

During the hearing, Rahall questioned representatives from the Children’s Investment Fund (TCI)—an activist hedge fund based in London and registered in the Cayman Islands—about their future intentions involving CSX. TCI’s increased interest in CSX has raised many concerns due to the tendency of hedge funds to focus on the “short-term” financial outlook and the fact that TCI is foreign-owned and, therefore, not regulated by the Federal Securities and Exchange Commission (FEC).

Rahall also expressed his concerns for the future of the CSX-owned Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs. TCI’s increased involvement in management of CSX could lead to the sale of the resort to a hotel chain, bringing the management of the 230 year-old estate into question. The Greenbrier Resort employs over 1,500 southern West Virginians and is one of the largest tourist attractions in the State. ...

This is one of those things that you have to ask a basic question about. How much of our critical industry and infrastructure do we want to allow to be controlled by foreign interests? We need the capability to produce our own food, medicines, basic metals and transportation equipment. I don't know how much control TCI has over CSX, but it is one of those things that bears watching.

I'm not saying it's time to intervene, but it's something we have to watch. The Greenbrier doesn't concern me. CSX Transportation does.

Or Rahall could be all wrong on this. I really don't know.