We are all aware of global warming and its contributing factors. And we all hope that everyone else is doing their "little bit" to save the earth. Our bit is hoping others are doing theirs. Fair enough, a lot has been said about the power of prayer.
Anyway, pray as may, we'r screwed at least that is exactly what a new study will have us believe.
We have a new green house gas called NF3 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earth/LCDs_accelerate_Warming_/articleshow/3222215.cms
If you read this article, you cannot help but wonder; what would we do against a gas that cannot be removed from the environment naturally.
As far as CO2 goes, we can plant trees, use less fossil fuels, yada yada yada and hope that eventually all of the 2 saplings we planted will make the air pure for all 347 members of our "near and dear" facebook/orkut family and friends community. Optimistic, maybe; realistic ...
Now, the few things I found interesting in this study are:
1. This gas comes from the use of new technology LCD screens which till now were our answer to the old CRT energy monsters. Are we taking a step back?
2. All electronics majors are eventually going to be selling only LCD displays if they dont already do. My point is proven by the fact that you dont have sales people urging you to buy CRT monitors.
3. Obviously, since LCDs are cheaper they will sell more and what makes them cheap is the cheaper still process of producing NF3 which it seems is the "life gas" of the LCD panels.
4. NF3 has an impact of 17000 times that of CO2.
All said, this is one bad ass gas.
Now we take a step back and go to the first line of the article. We notice, this is a "recent study", there is no link to the study, the people who studied or anything conclusive for that matter.
Global warming is real, but we do need to think are we really smothering the Earth with gases or with studies about gases?