Is global warming for real? Despite increasing information regarding the effects of global warming on our planet, there are groups who say global warming is simply not true. One such group is the American Policy Center (APC). They use the following arguments to prove their point:
•Research actually shows that the earth’s temperature is cooling.
Satellite and balloon measurements recorded by the US government reveal that the average temperature has cooled by .037 degrees Celsius.
•It is natural for the climate to change; it is not caused by human activities.
A natural phenomenon called El Nino is actually responsible for the rising ocean temperatures that cause stronger storms, flooding and droughts. And the melting ice caps are a natural occurrence as well. Some believe that because we are at the end of the ice age and that this phenomenon has been occurring for approximately one million years.
•Computer models used to forecast increased global warming don’t show the real picture.
Apparently 14 components are needed to show what is really happening with the climate and at present only 2 components can be included. The result? An incomplete picture of what is going to happen with the weather in the future.
•The motives of some environmental scientists are not pure.
Are some climate change experts finding the facts they need to so they can continue to receive grants from groups with specific agendas? That is the concern expressed by some scientists. According to APC, there are over 4000 scientists who do not support the theory of global warming. In fact, these two paragraphs were apparently deleted from the United Nations report on global warming in 1996.
•Research actually shows that the earth’s temperature is cooling.
Satellite and balloon measurements recorded by the US government reveal that the average temperature has cooled by .037 degrees Celsius.
•It is natural for the climate to change; it is not caused by human activities.
A natural phenomenon called El Nino is actually responsible for the rising ocean temperatures that cause stronger storms, flooding and droughts. And the melting ice caps are a natural occurrence as well. Some believe that because we are at the end of the ice age and that this phenomenon has been occurring for approximately one million years.
•Computer models used to forecast increased global warming don’t show the real picture.
Apparently 14 components are needed to show what is really happening with the climate and at present only 2 components can be included. The result? An incomplete picture of what is going to happen with the weather in the future.
•The motives of some environmental scientists are not pure.
Are some climate change experts finding the facts they need to so they can continue to receive grants from groups with specific agendas? That is the concern expressed by some scientists. According to APC, there are over 4000 scientists who do not support the theory of global warming. In fact, these two paragraphs were apparently deleted from the United Nations report on global warming in 1996.
1. "none of the studies cited above has shown clear evidence that we can attribute the observed climate changes to increases in greenhouse gases."
2. "no study to date has positively attributed all or part of the climate change to ...man-made causes."
They were written by scientists who did the research for the report and stated:
•The Kyoto Protocol, which states that developed nations will cut carbon emissions to 15 percent below the levels from 1990.
Those who oppose the idea of global warming see this as an attempt to redistribute the world’s wealth since only developed nations are required to sign it. It will force governments of developed countries to add consumption and carbon taxes while developing countries such as Mexico, China, India and Brazil only need to monitor and report emissions. The question is asked: If we need to cut greenhouse gases, why are only the developed countries responsible to make changes when 82 percent of projected emissions will be from these countries?
Is global warming for real or is it just a big hoax aimed at redistribution of the world’s wealth? Either way, it is important to do the research and come to your own conclusions. And in the meantime, remember that whether global warming is all hype or not. it is still cool to go green. It is a way to save money, live healthier and stop the toxic waste that is being dumped into our environment.
