The bizarre commentary on global warming, the the fact that it looks like a bomb and that it is part of an exhibition called Laughing Prohibited! makes this quite an amusing peace of artwork. Naturally, the exhibit comes with one of those pretentious and absurd descriptions:

Laughing Prohibited! states this clearly: there is no reason to laugh at all. Is there any (artistic) freedom of speech left after the debates on the Danish cartoons and the AEL counter-cartoons? Should you laugh about the works of these producers, than you are not sincere. Is there the legacy of Theo van Gogh still fertile? We need to concentrate and to focus in order to ask these fundamental questions. To be able to do so, we need clarity and parameters. Therefore, as a start: do not laugh!
Look closely and question: relate!

Oh, I believe my laughter is sincere. [onomatopee via Mocoloco]

Most of the Maldives lie less than three feet above sea level, which puts them much more at risk if global sea levels keep rising. Some scientists have warned that the islands could even be uninhabitable within 100 years (provided a rise of 7-24 inches), and the Maldives government has been vocal in the campaign to battle rising sea levels. Eleven of the 14 cabinet members attended the meeting, conducted with whiteboards and microphones 20 feet underwater, and all signed their wetsuits, to be auctioned off for the cause. [Telegraph, image from AP via CBC]

Former Microsoft Tech chief Nathan Myhrvold wants to dim the sun’s rays with liquid sulphur pumped from helium-filled balloons. But it’s not like he is sitting behind a desk, tapping his fingers together muttering “excellent” or anything.

In fact, the idea is intended to save the planet from the scourge of global warming. The “Stratoshield”, as he calls it, would spray what some would consider an environmentally acceptable amount of liquid sulphur into the air through a 24km long hose attached to a helium-filled balloon. Apparently, the sulphur would dim the sun’s rays, effectively cooling the earth in an emergency situation. Yes, it sounds crazy (much like the hurricane defence system he proposed with Bill Gates) but keep in mind that when filthy rich captains of industry have kooky ideas, lots of other people take them seriously. [TechFlash]

As you can see in my highly detailed diagram, Obama wants to use a climate degenerating replica—I don’t have any idea what I’m talking about. The truth, according to the AP, is that the smog shooter was called an “extreme last resort,” but Obama is looking at radical measures to ensure we don’t all broil at 500 degrees for 35-40 minutes. CO2-absorbing artificial trees were also listed as a possible way to fight The Warming.

While the above ideas may not be the most realistic, it is interesting that we’re looking to climate engineering (or geoengineering) to directly control the larger climate trends. Maybe we’ll someday control the weather…or just say screw it and move into domes. [AP via BreitBart]

Clearly we’ve been seeing changes in the ocean circulation in the Southern Hemisphere. The question for the future, and we don’t have an answer yet, is how is that going to shift against the backdrop of climate change?

The story here, however, is that the Brazilian Air Force is going to be flying the penguins back to South Atlantic, possibly in freezing chambers onboard cargo airplanes. Oh yes, and they are so cute that I’m about to have a diabetes arrest.

[Daily Mail]

The NYT points out that both candidates agree that global warming exists, though McCain would like to see carbon emissions drop by 60% while Obama aims for 80%. Similarly, both agree that genetics research is promising but frightening in its implications, assuring to fight workplace discrimination based upon one’s genetic code and continue the genetic modification of crops.

The biggest difference I noted was McCain’s interest in space. It’s one of the few responses where McCain’s opinion is lengthier and more policy specific than Obama’s, assuring continued NASA funding and naming space exploration as a “top priority” while citing project goals like shortening space shuttle redesign turnaround. Obama feels it’s more important to delegate the responsibility/policy, opting to reinstate a White House Space Council.

But there’s lots of interesting stuff we haven’t even mentioned here. [Science Debate 2008 and NYT]