Does anyone else think there is a lack of balance in the Global warming debate. I am under the impression that

Question

the scientific evidence is far from conclusive(only because I've done a little reading rather than go on news reports).

Answer 1

The debate is in the media only, science ONLY points to human-cause Global Warming.

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 2

It's not a question of evidence, or debate. If we continue to warm up the planet, the oceans will also warm. The thing that makes our weather so nice now is the temperature of the oceans. (warm in the altantic versus cold at the polar caps causes the ocean currents to constantly rotate which keeps the weather patterns constant.) If we warm up the oceans, the polar ice caps will melt causing the oceans to have too much fresh water in them, which will slow this rotation and cause devastating changes in our climate world wide. If this happens, everyone better be prepared: get your down stuffed coats and snow boots now. The northern hemisphere will be very cold and icy. Its all about the gulf stream and the physical laws that make it work. This is scientific fact, not debatable. Please, do some more reading. Not about global warming, maybe about world weather systems and why they work. Personally, I would hate for my grandchildren or great grandchildren to have to deal with the mistakes we make now. Its not worth it. The oceans are already getting warmer. Granted a degree or two does not seem like much, but it is causing polar ice caps to melt as we speak. Check it out.

Answer 3

It's strange that this 'debate' only occurs in the United States. Every other nation on Earth, scientists and lay people alike, are 100% convinced that climate change is indeed occurring.

The question of how much of the climate change is of anthropogenic (man-made) origin is a matter of debate, but nowhere but the States is there any question that it is happening.

I wonder why that is?

Strangely enough, the United States is also the only nation in which young Earth creation is given any kind of credence. I wonder if there's any connection there.

Answer 4

There is definitely debate among scientists regarding this, but to read media reports, you'd rarely see that. It's more fun to bash the US for supposedly causing global warming than to examine the natural cycles and realize that there might be nothing people are doing to cause them, or can do to stop it.

Answer 5

I've Answered on the topic of global warming before and got Best Answer several times, to the point where I get tired of repeating myself on this too-FAQ. Please refer to my previous answers by going back through my BA's. I cite evidence from NASA and the Smithsonian Institute.

5 NOV 06, 1519 hrs. GMT.

Answer 6

If global warming isn't a normal recurring event then why did the ice ages of the past end??