<a href'"http://wattsupwiththat.com/2008/12/21/jim-hansens-agu-presentation-hes-nailed-climate-forcing-for-2x-co2/">WUWT article

In my opinion, if we burn all the coal, there is a good chance that we will initiate the runaway greenhouse effect. If we also burn the tar sands and tar shale (a.k.a. oil shale), I think it is a dead certainty. That would be the ultimate Faustian bargain. Mephistopheles would carry off shrieking not only the robber barons, but, unfortunately and permanently, all life on the planet

-- Jim Hansen

Note that Hansen talks about burning all the coal. I don't think anyone seriously believes that we could burn all the coal any time soon, even if we tried.

Unlike pro-AGW websites like Real Climate, which routinely deletes posts by AGW skeptics, meteorologist Anthony Watts' site Watts Up With That, an AGW skeptics redoubt, welcomes all points of view. The comments following one of his articles are truly priceless; the linked article has elicited over 400 comments by Christmas Eve. No matter what your point of view, reading through these comments is time well spent.

I will say this: unlike some AGW skeptics, I don't celebrate the cold weather as a blow against AGW theory. As far as I am concerned, Global Warming is not necessarily a bad thing. It is certainly vastly preferable to Global Cooling, as this cold, icy December weather aptly illustrates.

Warmer weather means longer growing seasons, increased range for valuable crops, and a safer, more comfortable environment for the naked ape. Yes, we need to live smarter and protect our precious environment, but trying to change the climate is a fool's errand, especially if we risk doing even more damage to our struggling economy in the process.

Here's hoping your holidays are happy, safe, and warm.

S