November232012
Is global warming myth or fact? Since the first scientist suggested that the earth could be heating up at an unnatural rate due to man’s impact on the environment in the 1970s there have been supporters and skeptics for the reality of global warming. This article will seek to illuminate the issues around the alleged ‘Global Warming Myth’.
Global Warming Facts
Common sense dictates that there must be an element of truth in the assertion that weather patterns and temperatures on planet Earth are changing – why else would there even be a debate regarding global warming? Studies over the years following the first suggestion of global warming have provided physical evidence to prove that by way of extreme weather conditions; glacier retreat and disappearance; volcanic eruptions and earthquakes; melting ice-caps resulting in rising sea levels; increase in acidity and temperature of the ocean; and decreased differentiation between seasons. Many have taken this evidence as incontrovertible in the argument that global warming exists. However, doubters remain who continue to argue that the concept of global warming is myth.
Doubts
These doubters argue that although there may have been significant changes to the climate system over recent years these have not been brought about by man’s actions. It is true that the Earth’s climate has never had a static ‘norm’ since the dawn of time it has gone through changes from the extinction of the dinosaurs to the ice age – there have always been dramatic changes that have never before been as a result of man’s actions. As such it can be argued that the current changes to the climate are not as a result of mankind but rather, just a phase in the natural order of things.
An industrial world
The counter argument to the suggestion that this is just another phase of the Earth’s cycle comes in the form of the industrial revolution that has lead to dramatic changes to the world over the last 200 years or so. In the 19th century countries such as the UK and the USA lead the way in industrial innovation in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology. The output of this innovation has been steady and increasing since it began at the tail end of the 18th century – over 2oo years ago. Considerable impact has been wreaked on the environment as a result: from a tremendous increase in the volume of carbon dioxide to the eradication of huge areas of natural habitats, the industrial evolution of the world has marked the demise of the natural world. Those who believe that this can have had no impact on the planet are deluding themselves.
Therefore the concept of a global warming myth is totally erroneous.
November162012
The Global Warming Debate - The debate over whether global warming is a myth or not has been raging ever since scientists first noticed a rise in global temperatures over 30 years ago. Since then studies have proven that these initial musings were backed up by more physical evidence in the form of significant temperature changes, physical evidence such as extreme weather conditions; glacier retreat and disappearance; volcanic eruptions and earthquakes; melting ice-caps resulting in rising sea levels; increase in acidity and temperature of the world’s oceans; and a decrease in differentiation between seasons. The consequence of this is poses a threat to the availability of food, water and secure habitat for life on Earth: all the most essential elements of existence.
Human Caused Global Warming?
Even the brief description above would lead any rational person to agree that Global Warming is not a myth and a very real situation – you can hardly argue with rising sea levels and volcanoes. The argument is a bit more nuanced however. The question now seems to center not around whether there have been climate changes in the last 50 years or so but rather whether these changes have been brought about by human actions. It is well documented that the planet Earth has gone through many changes to its atmosphere, geological make up and temperature during its existence. The extinction of the dinosaurs, the ice ages, great floods, all of these phenomenon occurred throughout the life of planet Earth and before humans were on its surface. Surely then the recent changes are just another natural spike on the temperature graph of the world’s history?
The evidence for human caused global warming
Unfortunately there is a significant wealth of evidence to suggest that the current increase in global temperatures is not as a result of natural causes. For example, the increased concentration of greenhouse gases is directly attributable to human actions as a result of industrial processes altering the natural balance that is vital for the sustained existence of life on Earth; the planet’s isotopic signature makes it clear that the increased levels of carbon dioxide can be attributed to the burning of fossil fuels; and finally there is no plausible natural explanation for the current deviation of the Earth’s natural cycle other than human causes.
In more simplistic terms: consider the technological changes that have taken place in the last 200 years, beginning with the industrial revolution of the 19th century. Since then we have continually and consistently pumped out more and more gases into our the atmosphere in order to meet the demands of life in the 20th and 21st century: international travel, domestic transport, agriculture, to name only a few of our every day activities have detrimentally affected our environment. It can no longer be argued that global warming is a myth. Global warming is an incontrovertible fact.
