Breaking: Did scientists *forget* to study how oceans and climate interact?!

Oceans are "new" front in fight against global warming, says UN

UN environmental experts yesterday issued an urgent call to study the crucial role the oceans -- as massive carbon stores -- can play in the fight against global warming.

The United Nations Environment Programme (Unep) launched the "Blue Carbon" initiative together with the Indonesian government Thursday on the resort island of Bali.

"A global scientific study of the role of marine and coastal ecosystems in meeting the climate change challenges is urgently needed in order to improve understanding," Unep director Achim Steiner said on the sidelines of the gathering of climate experts and environment ministers.

"There is now growing evidence that marine and coastal ecosystems, such as sea grasses, mangroves and salt marshes, may play an important role in climate mitigation," he said.

Unlike when dealing with emissions from land, scientists have said a lack of knowledge on how oceans and climate interact means discussions on including oceans in a future global climate agreement are at an early stage.

[If we don't know how the oceans and climate interact, doesn't that throw a pretty big wrench into that whole "science is settled" thing?]

The ocean covers 71 percent of the Earth's surface and contains 97 percent of the planet's water, yet more than 95 percent of the underwater world remains unexplored.

SNL Transcripts: Steve Martin: 01/21/78: Steve Martin's Monologue

You.. can be a millionaire.. and never pay taxes! You can be a millionaire.. and never pay taxes! You say.. "Steve.. how can I be a millionaire.. and never pay taxes?" First.. get a million dollars. Now.. you say, "Steve.. what do I say to the tax man when he comes to my door and says, 'You.. have never paid taxes'?" Two simple words. Two simple words in the English language: "I forgot!" How many times do we let ourselves get into terrible situations because we don't say "I forgot"? Let's say you're on trial for armed robbery. You say to the judge, "I forgot armed robbery was illegal." Let's suppose he says back to you, "You have committed a foul crime. you have stolen hundreds and thousands of dollars from people at random, and you say, 'I forgot'?" Two simple words: Excuuuuuse me!!"