This question is open to all sincere, objective, critical thinkers who have carefully considered this issue from more than one angle. The involvement of the mass media and its efforts to indoctrinate the public at large concerning the supposed primary cause of "global warming" and climate change (i.e. industrial, commercial and personal human pollution) should also be factored into the answer.
2007-02-05 09:06:49 · 7 answers · asked by jollyrojr 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
one reason would be that they are climatologists, or experts in climatology.
p.s. paducah- can you name one scientist denying the phenomenon who is not affiliated with big oil?
p.p.s. John B- the oceans hold immense amounts of co2, but like any liquid, the warmer it gets the less it can hold; as gases increase in the atmosphere and warm the planet and ocean temps rise, immense quantities of co2 and methane could theoretically be released from the oceans. That would be about it for homo sapiens and most other life.
2007-02-05 09:11:19 · answer #1 · answered by dr schmitty 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It is confusing, but I don't think it is the mass media trying to indoctrinate people. One very important aspect of science is to be able to communicate findings to the public in terms that they can understand. This is challenging for scientists because they are often so "intelligent" that they do see why we "common folks" don't get it. So, "dumbing it down" leads to inaccuracies and misunderstandings.
Second, the impact of greenhouse gasses, the possibility of climate change and the reason for this phenomenon is a really complex problem. It starts with observations...ice shelves breaking up, sea level changes, weather pattern changes, etc. Then the science kicks in. And science is dependent on technology: Do we have computers powerful enough to accurately model all the data? Are we gathering the right data? And once we get all the info, have we drawn the right conclusions from it?
This is the point where scientists will write up their conclusions and publish it in peer-reviewed journals. Then their colleagues can try as hard as they can to shoot it full of holes. Then, over time, the idea is rejected or accepted.
As far as global warming is concerned, I think it is safe to say that a consensus among the scientific community has been formed: Global warming and climate change are real, it is because of a steady increase in CO2, and we are the source.
The real problems arise when people who are not "experts" muddy the waters because they have ulterior motives, like the amount of money they could lose if the economics of energy changes. For some stupid reason, most people think that whoever shouts the loudest is right. In that path lies peril.
Stick to peer-reviewed journal for you source of science information. I read the Journal Science. For something a bit easier for my little mind, I also read Scientific American.
2007-02-05 17:41:11 · answer #2 · answered by Ellie S 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you ever met a climate "expert"? These are very intelligent people who are trained to work in a manner that discerns the truth, in an unbiased fashion. They use sophisticated, complex models, and hold advanced degrees. They know what they are doing. Also, geologists agree with them, as do biologists and anyone paying attention to what is going on around them.
We know that though there have been cycles of warming in the past, this one is occurring at an unprecedented rate and is linked directly to an unprecedented rise in CO2 which is perfectly correlated with the industrial revolution. We know that similar releases of CO2 have occurred through natural processes in the past, but took millennia longer. There's just way too much evidence from a geologic perspective, and a climatological perspective, to leave any doubt in my mind that they're not leading us astray.
And I for one am glad that the media is FINALLY admitting that something is going on. I think they'd have been on it a lot sooner if they weren't controlled by the same corporations who would be economically harmed if they had to reduce their personal contributions to global warming.
2007-02-05 18:23:46 · answer #3 · answered by kiddo 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Experts denote some special knowledge. However, who can judge an expert as a true expert? Many expert weather forecasters are often wrong. And yet they still get paid. People wonder where all the CO2 goes from burning so many barrels of oil pumped. That is where the 'experts' may be having a hard time to explain. I would like to know how much CO2 the oceans absorb. I believe they are a huge CO2 sink that can absorb as much as they are presented. Buffer systems can lock up huge amounts of substances with very little effort. That is, energy use.It is clear that plants can absorb all the CO2 it contacts instantly, but not in the winter or at night. And yet the CO2 is still negligible in the air. The north and south hemispheres weather systems do not mix significantly. Apparently snow absorbs CO2, but how much and how fast? In the upper atmosphere, JET engines are burning huge amounts of fuel that produces many thousands of tons of CO2 and H2O. Nature does not have any quick system for clearing those from the higher altitudes.
2007-02-05 17:25:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, obviously complex, and there is no doubt that there are large amounts of research grants up for grabs.
There is no doubt in my (untrained mind) that something is up with the climate, just from 40-odd years of living in it. The body of evidence suggests it as well, and the "global warming people" have come up with a mechanism.
2007-02-05 17:11:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
id say people assume that they are correct because these people have devoted their lives work to the climate and they arent just making assumptions. they are studying something that is of a physical nature and can be studied.
the same way we assume that doctors are correct when making a prognosis or we assume that the cook at the restaurant knows how to fry some chicken and boil some corn. its their job. they wouldnt have the job if they didnt know how to do it.
im not trying to be rude, but honestly... just because the media has been trying to educate people doesnt make it incorrect.
2007-02-05 17:21:38 · answer #6 · answered by stella 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Questions like this are very tiring. We keep seeing them over and over. There are good scientist on each side of the issue. Not agree with each other. You either belive in Global warming or you dont. I dont belive in it, and if it is true, i dont believe that man is the main cause, perhap just a contributing factor. Its a cycle, and the earth goes throught many different cycle all the time.,
2007-02-05 17:12:46 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋