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Sep

What global warming can do to us – Part 2

TEMPERATURES IN AUSTRALIA.In my new book, The Shale Controversy, one chapter is called Australia – Poster Child for Global Warming. I visited my old country in August 2019 for almost a month, and ran headlong into a number of events that seemed to shout, “Global Warming is here”. The annual average temperature in Australia has been rising steadily the past 70 years – see figure 1.

Figure 1. Australian average temperature above or below the temperature in the period 1961–1990 (zero on the graph). The temperature has been rising steadily since 1950.

My home state of South Australia is the driest state in the driest continent of the world.… More

Sep

What global warming can do to us – Part 1

INTRODUCTION. Julian Pfitzner, a friend from Australia, first got me thinking about global warming when he told me fracking for oil and gas contributed to global warming, which he was an expert about. I was stunned because I had worked in fracking for 30 years, so it felt like an attack (though unintentional) on my career. But this left me with an itch that wouldn’t go away because I wanted to find out if there was any truth in Julian’s opinion. I started to research global warming and its causes.What I found out jolted me. In my usual way, this writeup is based on data as far as possible.… More

Aug

Finding love in small deeds.

INTRODUCTION. I discovered Robert Wicks when I heard him interviewed. He was talking over the radio about overcoming anxieties and helping others at the same time. A book that Wicks wrote is called Streams of Contentment. I ran out and bought it – one of the best self-help books I’ve read in a long time. I wrote a blog about this — click HERE to read.RIDING THE DRAGON.Now I’m reading another small book by Robert J. Wicks called Riding the Dragon. The sub-title says, Ten lessons for inner strength in troubling times. His concept is simple: don’t hide from the dragon (your troubles) but instead face the dragon head on, get on its back and ride it!A… More

Aug

New book release: The Shale Controversy by Dr Ian Palmer.

INTRODUCTION.

“Whether you are pro or con fracking, this book provides a solid science foundation and weighs the issues to reveal the facts around the shale controversies. Truly an informative and enjoyable read!”Melanie Will-Cole, College lecturer.I started writing this book five years ago when an editor suggested I write a book about fracking and earthquakes, which were big at that time in Oklahoma. A lot of folks wanted to blame fracking for the earthquakes. So I started writing – partly to answer this question.Then a colleague said he opposed fracking because it contributed to global warming. So I researched global warming to find out whether his statement was correct.The… More

Jul

The future of the Texas virus – and the USA

COVID-19 has been winning big in famous states like Arizona, Texas, and California, but has also been increasing in most other states of the USA. We have been forced to realize just how powerful a virus it really is. By now we know the reasons: governors opening up restaurants and bars too early. Mixed messages about masks from the Federal government. Open celebrations and parties on Memorial day and July Fourth holidays. Plus the old attitude of “I don’t want the government telling me what to do.” Plus “I’ve got a bad case of cabin fever, and I have to get out of the house and visit with my friends.”… More

Jul

Durango, Colorado hike to Castle Rock in photos

FAVORITE TOWN. I can say truthfully that everyone I know who has visited Durango in summer, or Fall, say they love the town and the area.

In the Fall, the famous old steam train puffs up to Silverton, and in October riders are dazzled by the Fall colors of the golden aspens.

You can also see glorious views if you drive up to Silverton. Molas Pass is 11,000 feet and recently we sat on the edge of Molas Lake and drank in the view and the tranquility.

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Molas lake nestled below the snow-flecked mountains of the Weminuche Wilderness.

Little Molas Lake, not far away, is a fairyland.… More

Jun

Tribulation in Texas

A SCARY COVID-19 REOPENING SPIKECOVID-19 is winning once again in these states: Arizona (419), Texas (175), Arkansas (202), Mississippi (252), Florida (291), South Carolina (240).In contrast, New Mexico (75), Oklahoma (75) and Kansas (75) are doing much better in controlling the virus.These numbers are daily new cases of the virus, averaged over the past week (21-28 June), per million people in the state. See Figure 1.

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Figure 1.

The virus in Texas has flared up since restrictions were softened in early June: no mandate to wear masks, bars open to 50% and restaurants open to 75% capacity, allowing 100 people to meet together, and beaches open.… More

Jun

Red Rocking in New Mexico

Last week I came across a calendar I had designed for 2015. To tell the truth, I had completely forgotten about the calendar. The pictures and the words lifted my spirit at this time of injustice, loss, death, and despair sweeping across the country. The following photos and words are from different months of that calendar.

Figure 1: Starting out on a cold fall morning in late 2014 about 60 – 70 miles from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Kim on the right with kids Kara and Jaden, and friend Brayden in the middle.

If you are a hiker, you will especially appreciate the challenge of the climb.… More

May

COVID-19: deaths and reopening

INTRODUCTIONThe COVID-19 outbreak was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. This is defined as when an infectious disease passes easily from person to person in many parts of the world at the same time.The material in this blog comes from two BBC News articles dated May 28 and 29, 2020. To read these articles, click HERE and HERE.USA VERSUS REST OF WORLDThe death toll in the US became the highest in the world in early April and has risen dramatically since then.

President Donald Trump initially said “50 to 60,000” people could die during the outbreak but in May he said he was hopeful the toll would be lower than 100,000.… More

May

Pandemic Analysis – How the US got behind Australia

A BBC News article from earlier this week stated that the severity (number of deaths) of COVID-19 in a country depended on two things:(1) How quickly countries went into lockdown, i.e. mandated the “stay-at-home” rule, or “shelter-in-place” as the Californians called it.(2) The extent of and how quickly testing for the virus was made available.This information is in the video attached to the article (see below).THE EXTENT OF TESTING.The article makes clear that countries like South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Vietnam got into testing quickly and broadly. The Vietnam story is fascinating. They got control of the virus quickly and their deaths per million residents are way downS Korea = 5, Australia = 4, Vietnam = 0.In… More

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“The Shale Controversy has it all: politics, science, economics, history, geography, geology. I could keep adding to the list, but in summary, this book looks at the oil/gas and environmental predicament through several lenses.” -Terri Koontz, College Biology Professor, Albuquerque

“I have only heard the hype about fracking in the past and would say I was skeptical at best. Reading The Shale Controversy has given me a wealth of information on the subject. It is an enjoyable and not difficult read which is surprising as the subject is very technical. . . . I highly recommend The Shale Controversy if you want an expert’s view.” – Robyn Wilde Hood, Fashion Quality Manager, Adelaide, Australia

If you want truth and not media hype, this is your book. Dr. Palmer is a known shale-fracking expert who is brutally honest about the significant drawbacks but also clear about the incredible potential of shale. I disagree on the role of fracking relative to global warming because I’m a climate change skeptic. But I highly recommend this book.” – William B. Collier, Professor of Chemistry, ORU, Tulsa

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“It was hard to put the book down. I would highly recommend FracMan to anyone who would enjoy an inspiring Christian story with a bit of romance and insight into the potential connections between fracking and earthquakes in the shale-gas/oil industry.” – Debbie Loftin, Reservoir Engineer, Durango, Colorado.

“After all these years I finally have an idea what fracking really is and the correlation to earthquakes. With the wonderful love story aside..” – Brian Morrison, Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Pilot/Superintendent, Albuquerque

“Ian is at his best when describing how people resolve spiritual differences as they strive to make their relationship work.” – Garrick Little, R&D Chemist (ret), Lincoln, Nebraska.

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“I read the book and it was very inspiring….. a must read!” ~ Ann W.

“Your book gives me the desire to go hiking and look at God’s creation in a different way.Thank you. You did a great job!” ~ Bonnie C.

“You are a silver-tongued orator, and I liked how you captivated the reader with conflict, then presented your thoughts via discussion.” ~ Don S.

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“Sit back, relax, clear your head and then prepare yourself for an entertaining journey. I loved the book, and found it hard to put down.” ~ Garland R

“This is a book that taught me a lot about myself and a book that challenged me to grow spiritually.” ~ Trevor T.

“I liked this book because it was easy to read and effectively provided advice and solutions for real problems in American society. I think it is a useful and inspiring reading for both teen-agers and their parents.” ~ Zissis M.

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