I write in response to commentary titled “Yes, Earth is Warming,” by Jason Samenow of the Washington Post, printed Jan. 30 in the Sun Journal.
I grew up in Maine during the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, when people were panicked about “global cooling.” For the balance of the century, the public was then being warned about “global warming.” Due to thee environmental threats, I dedicated my engineering career to designing energy-efficient technology to shrink the human energy footprint.
So, what is the truth?
My research drew me to the excellent work of David Dilley, president and senior research scientist for Global Weather Oscillations Inc. The former NOAA expert has more than 40 years of meteorological and climatological experience. He has been recognized as the most accurate long-term weather forecaster for the past nine years. Based on his “Climate Cycle” theory, Mainers are presently transitioning back to the colder temperatures experienced in the late 1960s and 1970s. We will transition back to the next extended warming period around 2035.
I recognize it will take several more vintage 1970s winters before New Englanders will eventually realize that we are cooling locally. Fortunately, just like our parents and grandparents, Mainers are good at adapting.
Whether people believe in global warming or climate cycles, the optimum solution is the same. It always makes sense for each of us to reduce our energy footprint. This is accomplished by maximizing insulation, using passive solar, eliminating drafts and operating highly efficient heating and cooling systems.
Mike Brakey, New Gloucester
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