Global Warming.
I want to hear your thoughts on global warming. Feel free to write long and lengthy comments. I think this will provide great conversation.
*As a note, I do not believe in global warming and will share my thoughts in a later post.
Filed under: ThoughtProvoking on April 17th, 2008
I think its interesting how you said “I do not BELIEVE in global warming”. There is nothing to believe in. Our globe in warming….. The polar ice caps are melting. It’s a fact.
I think what you meant to say is - I do not believe that humans and the production of green house gases are having an effect on global warming.
During the last 2,000 years, the climate has been relatively stable. Scientists have identified three departures from this stability, known as the Medieval Climate Anomaly (also referred to as the Medieval Warm Period), the Little Ice Age and the Industrial Era:
The Medieval Climate Anomaly: Between roughly 900 and 1300 AD, evidence suggests Europe, Greenland and Asia experienced relative warmth. While historical accounts and other evidence document the warmth that occurred in some regions, the geographical extent, magnitude and timing of the warmth during this period is uncertain (NRC, 2006). The American West experienced very dry conditions around this time.
The Little Ice Age: A wide variety of evidence supports the global existence of a “Little Ice Age” (this was not a true “ice age” since major ice sheets did not develop) between about 1500 and 1850 (NRC, 2006). Average temperatures were possibly up to 2ºF colder than today, but varied by region.
The Industrial Era: An additional warm period has emerged in the last 100 years, coinciding with substantially increasing emissions of greenhouse gases from human activities.
The question is - Is the warming in the Industrial Era just a coincidence? Or is the warming from the increased production of greenhouse gases?
My personal opinion is that it is not a coincidence. I think humans played a hand in speeding up global warming by burning fossil fuels.
Unfortunately there is no way to prove that humans had a hand in the warming of our climate. So, we have two choices. Ignore the problem and do nothing or we can change our way of life and try to use our natural resources more efficiently.
It gets warmer whenever I pee in the bathtub.
Ok, so I’ve done the research, talked with a couple of geology professors, yadda yadda yadda. Conclusion: is does get warmer when I pee in the bathtub, we are exiting some form of small ice age, greenhouse gases do contribute to global warming, however, not to the extent that the media or democrats like to portray. Do I think we as humans need to refine our current methods of energy production. Yes, not because I’m a Green-Freak but because innovation leads to more efficient ways of production.
Thomas Friedman’s speech at Auburn University was quite inspiring and made me think alot about this topic. He argued that the next country to develop this alternative energy source will be far more intelligent, powerful, and efficient than any other country. I believe his agenda is to spur the U.S. government’s thoughts into action.
I truly believe that this new innovation in energy production will lead us into another revolution, however, this revolution will be unlike anything any civilization has ever seen before.