Is there any real scientific proof that global warming exists?

Question

Some people say yes, some say no.

I want to know for sure.

Of course it's hot now, It's August.
I bet you won't be whining in January about it.

Answer 1

The evidence for global warming is scientifically strong. The only reason the issue seems so muddled in the public mind is that influential people who don’t like the scientific results (and who almost never read any actual scientific journals) like to run around proclaiming what they think scientists ought to be saying, and arguing that the data is inconclusive when, in fact, they have no idea what the data actually is. We see the same sort of thing happening with the theory of evolution. Legitimate scientists writing for peer-reviewed publications are not divided on evolution. They acknowledge unanswered questions, but NONE of them thinks that the earth is really just a few thousand years old. But from the various public debates you can easily get the impression that scientists are divided on the issues, therefore the theory could be wrong, therefore the earth could really be 7000 year old. NO, that is not what scientists say, but it is what some people with religious agendas want you to believe that scientists are saying. This is the same sort of thing that happens in the debate over global warming. There are serious scientific debates, but these debates do not indicate that scientists don’t take global warming seriously. On the contrary, the depth and vigor of the scientific debates indicate that scientist DO take global warming VERY seriously.

If you seriously want to understand the issue, pay attention to what is said in the peer-reviewed journals. When a scientist writes for one of these journals, she knows that her claims will be subject to the scrutiny of other scientists (that is what PEER review means for scientific journals). Since her job and reputation depend on her ability to present verifiable data and logically defensible arguments, she will be extremely careful to say no more than she can realistically defend with data and logic (because bad data and logical flaws can lead to excruciating professional embarrassment). So go take a look at some of the peer-reviewed journals, then come back and tell us if you are still confused about the potential seriousness of global warming.

Answer 2

CO2 is 30% higher than it has been for 650,000 years. Methane is 130% greater. These are two of the main pollutants humans put into the atmosphere in excess, and they are two of the primary greenhouse gases.

Look at the 'hockeystick', which shows a dramatic warming since 1950 after a fairly stable climate for 1000 years. In fact, the 10 hottest years in recorded history have all happened since 1990, with 2005 being the hottest, and 2006 is shaping up to maybe break that record.
(see links below)

How's that for proof of man's fault in this? There is ample proof, any real scientist will tell you that.

There has NEVER been an article doubting man's influence on global warming published in a peer-reviewed journal. A recent study of almost 1000 proved that.

Yes, the earth naturally heats and cools, but the rate and amount we are warming now is unprecedented in the recent geologic past. We are doing this, and we must stop it. This is not some political statement or rhetoric. This is science trying to educate a crass, ignorant public of the damage they are doing. The magnitude of temperature increase ALREADY is about 10x that of the 'little ice age' of the middle ages, and rate and amount are only going up.

Just to be clear, glacial and interglacial cycles are mainly controlled by astronomical fluctuations, but we have a detailed record of the last 7 cycles, and what the climate and CO2 is doing now is way different and extreme. The rate of increase is much higher than in the past AND the value itself is much higher.

HI CO2:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4467420.stm
HOCKEY STICK:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5109188.stm
General climate stuff:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/3897061.stm

Answer 3

It is proven beyond doubt. What is in debate is what causes it- even though the great majority of the scientific community can demonstrate or argue that it is caused or accelerated by human interventions in nautre. There is also a debate about the rate of warming.
At this point to say that global warming does not exist is considered a proof of ignorance and/or lack of proper education. It is like saying that the Earth is flat. Causes and rates are can be debated though - but the evidence points more and more to humans as the main cause of global warming.

Answer 4

From my point of view there isn't. Our earth and solar system are alive and often changing. As the earth moves on it's elliptical orbit it moves closer and further from the sun over millions of years it goes through ice ages and warming ages. We are believe it or not due for another ice age as we move further from the sun. The patterns we are seeing now are actually in support of a new ice age. Very hot summers are followed by even colder winters and soon it will remain colder longer. The earth has a very interesting way of keeping itself alive; it kills off bothersome races by its movement in the solar system. Some scientist would have you believe that global warming is causing our current heat waves, but all the emissions and toxic gasses we put in the air are only destroying our atmosphere. The only effect this will have on the human race is more harmful UV rays. It has nothing to do with the weather.

Answer 5

On '60 Minutes' last Sunday there was a segment regarding a government scientist who is being censured by the United States government because his thirty-year studies claim that global warming is serious. The man's name is Hanson, and he claims that if we don't start to deal with the problem, within ten years (or less) the effects of global warming will be irreversible.
That means the polar ice caps will melt, causing cities on both coasts of both major oceans to flood, and creating horrendous hurricanes and other natural disasters.
The real crime is that his work is being "edited" by LAWYERS for the Bush administration, and he is not allowed to speak openly or publicly without his speeches being 'watered down'.
Global warming is REAL....even Al Gore's movie was applauded by the scientific community as realistic and extremely accurate. -RKO-

Answer 6

Watch Global Warming What You Need To Know on the Discovery Channel.(Check Guide)Make your own choice. In my opinion yes.

Answer 7

Absolute proof? I don't think so. Weather is the epitome of chaos, so nailing down anything positive is difficult. But amount of evidence that supports it is pretty freakin' convincing.

By the way, the few "scientists" that refute GW are financed by power companies. So those that say it's not real have the wool pulled firmly over their eyes.

See my 360 for an example.

Answer 8

yes it is scientificly proben that the levels of CO2 is 30% higher than it has been for 650,000 years. Methane is 130% greater.
two of the main pollutants in the atmosphere....
there was a really good article at the newsweek mag a few months ago.... try to do a periodical research at any university.
Global Warming is a FACT.

Answer 9

From what I have seen, NO. But there is a mountain of evidence.

People here are mistaking PROOF for EVIDENCE. I agree that there is a ton of evidence suggesting global warming, but no proof. I mean, everybody KNOWS that OJ Simpson murdered his wife, but again there was no proof, just a MOUNTAIN of evidence.

Answer 10

Yes, there is. The one thing I suggest is to Search it on a "search engine" and read the varying viewpoints. There is a great sight called "climatecrisis.com" that has alot of interesting information and links that could shed some light on an answer for you.

Good Luck.