Introduced in 1908, the Model T Fords were produced until 1927 with 'assembly line" production being introduced in 1910. The Model T's were powered by a small (about 20 hp) engine that burned either gasoline or locally produced ethanol. Depending upon fuel, driving conditions, and body style (at least 9 body styles, ranging from small roadsters to one-ton trucks were produced) mileage varied from about 13 to 21 mpg. More than 15 million Model T's were produced before production was stopped in 1927. At that time, 9 out of 10 automobiles, world-wide, were Model T Fords.

Global Climate Change (GCC) is probably the most complex challenge ever faced by humans with its many ramifications and interactions beyond the comprehension by the human mind. The tool best suited to gain a comprehension of the various individual elements, and their interactions, is computer modeling.

Last summer the residents of Castiglione di Cervia, a small village in northern Italy, were suddenly stricken by a temporarily debilitating disease that was unknown to local medical authorities. Following the death of several villagers, and the subsidence of the outbreak, the disease was eventually identified as Chikungunya, a disease with symptoms similar to Dengue fever. Both Chikungunya and Dengue fever are mosquito borne, viral diseases, previously known to occur only in the tropics. Its appearance in Europe is apparently due to Global Warming and the "globalization" of commerce and travel.

Today marked the beginning of the "We Campaign", one of the largest public advocacy efforts in history.  Lead by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and his Alliance for Climate Protection, the campaign objectives are to educate and organize Americans in a drive to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases.  The $300 million, 3 year campaign will include advertising in the print and electronic media.  The campaign hopes to enlist over 10 million volunteers in a drive to influence elected officials and public policy.  If you are concerned about the world that our children will inherit, the very least that you can do is visit the We Campaign web site, and add your name to the list of supporters.

On one hand, the introduction of any new technology should be evaluated in terms of potential long-term impacts upon human health. On the other hand, if we become too timid and paralyzed by fear of the unknown we will never make any progress. However, there can be no question that wisdom dictates the application of common sense, and that caution is not misplaced when there is substantial reason to suspect negative health implications.

Such concerns may be warranted in the case of public policy urging, or requiring widespread adoption of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) as a replacement for incandescent bulbs in an attempt to conserve energy and thus reduce the emissions of greenhouse gas. While any attempt to conserve energy is laudable, and a drastic reduction of greenhouse gases is essential for no less than the survival of our civilization, we must also ensure that the wide-spread introduction of products such as CFLs are accompanied by any required systems necessary to protect health and our environment.