What it the truth about global warming?

Question

Is it true that the Earth is doomed and we are all gonna die in 50 years or is it made up! I read that the ozone layer is healing itself since there has been a decrease in free radicals since CFCs were cut down.

Answer 1

You've got things more than alittle mixed-up. :)
First--no, we are not "doomed." The problem is that CO2 emmissions from m the pervasive use of fossil fuels is causing a "greenhouse effect" that is raising global temperatures a few degrees--ON AVERAGE--it soesn't mean everything gets warmer everwhere all of the time.

This has (generally speaking) two negative effects--but both are major. One is that the warming is reaching the point (and will continue for some time) of disrupting ecosystems around the worlds. In addition to endangering many species, it has the far more important consequence (to humans) of possibly disrupting our ability to produce enough food. The second effect is to melt much of the polar ice caps. That is causing a slow but important rise in sea level. It's not massive--5-8 feet by the end of the century. But that's enough to permanantly flood low lying coastal areas--and require us to build seawalls, etc at a cost of hundreds of billions of dollars (in the US alone) to protect cities like New Youk--and every other coastal city in the world.

Ozone depletion is an entirely separate issue--it has nothing to do with global warming. What happened is that certain chemicals (CFCs) were discovered to have the effect of breaking down ozone in the atmosphere. The reason that's a problem is that the layer (really just a high concentration in the upper atmosphere) blocks most of the ultraviolet light from the sun--the kind of light that gives you a suntan--or a sunburn. You no doubt know what too much sun can do! Imagin if we got much of it--instead of the relative small amount that gets past the ozone layer. Far higher rates of skin cancer, for one thing. But that is essentially a solved problem--virtually all CFC release has been stopped for years, and the ozone layer is indeed beginning to recover. But again--that is an entirely seperate issue--has nothing to do with the global warming and climate change.

As for "being doomed"--that is nonsense--I hope. If we make the shift to actually using the alternative energy and energy-efficient technologies that are already available, as well as developing more, we can reduce the amount of CO2 emmisions drasticallly--and get new jobs, industries, and lower energy costs in the long run as a bonus. Global warming won't go away for a while--it takes decades for that excess CO2 to break down--but we can stop it from getting worse, and eventually reverse the process (since its people who started it in the first place!). So we are certainly not "doomed"--unless, of course, we as a species are too stupid and short-sighted to do the things we need to do--and already knnow how to do-- to save our own lives.

Answer 2

The ozone layer was not in trouble and never was. it is so high that Man has no control over it. It is a very long story and CFC have nothing to do with it. Most of the data is missing on global warming also. The big bad CO2 ,it was never a problem ,because God put plants here to recycle our air many millions of years ago. Where do u think our original fossil fuels came from???

Answer 3

Here's the truth in 4 little links. All the science, the economics, the morals and the future.

Please read, learn and then act. Tell all your friends and then lead by example; make whatever changes that you are able to (See Link 3 for that - believe me they are not onerous at all) and encourage those around you do likewise.

I've started to lobby my MP on all sorts of environmental issues (I have never done that before), I have changed all my bulbs to low energy, we’re looking at energy savings wherever we can, I've bought a bike and I'll start cycling to work soon (honest). I'm looking at growing my veg in my garden.

Now you could do all that and more or maybe none of the above, but if you’re a decent human being with a conscience and half a brain then you’ll know what is right for you to do. We should all try and help, it’s just some (like Branson today) can help a little more than others. Do what feels right for you.

Best wishes

LT

PS I recon we have 25 years not 50 to work this out, after that (and I'm no expert) but there would appear to be a series of tipping points (rather like dominos) and once one goes they all go and they all make the situation much much worse. However, that gives us 25 years to sort this out - now there's a challenge!
I posted on this (Earth to Venus in 100 years) - see if its still there - I was off on one that night - so it might be a bit blunt.

Answer 4

Global Warming and holes in the Ozone Layer are of different causes and separate problems. The main culprit for cause of both appears to be man.

We will only get opinion on this, like all scientific explanations they are theories or the most likely explanations, based on the best analysis and understanding. If you want 'truth about global warming', you'll just have to rest your trust in those who know better than us mere mortals, eg. the world's top climate scientists, The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). They are now at least 90% certain that man is to blame, a huge consensus for people from every nation! It's much higher level of certainty than has ever been reached before.

The BBC covered this story last week (as did most major news providers, world-wide):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6321351.stm

You could always read a synopsis of their report, and help make your own mind up.

Good luck! Rob

Answer 5

One thing is true: the climate changes. There have been ice ages and warm periods, warmer than now, like when the dinosaurs were alive.
In the early 1970's when I graduated from high school, we were told that within 25 years, we would be out of energy and freezing. Our population would have grown beyond our food production and everyone in the world would be starving. It seems to me, that the same areas have starving people that did back then.

I don't think we know or have the science to understand this yet. There is a political push to drive people in certain directions to gain power.

Look at this site for a different view:
www.iceagenow.com

As individuals, we are mortal and will die. I do not believe that the entire world and all its life can perish from climate change alone, even if it's extreme and many species die back.

Answer 6

Note that Michael E is winking at you when he says he is telling the truth. The web page he directs you to is propaganda.

The Earth is not doomed in 50 years, but it is important that we not dig up and burn all the fossil fuel in the ground---this would lead to CO2 levels in the atmosphere that are higher than at any time in the Earth's history. Historical periods when the CO2 levels were higher than they are today were very hot and had a much higher sea level.

Note that the ozone layer healing itself is not a spontaneous process, but is the result of an international agreement to stop manufacturing the cloroflorocarbons that were destroying the ozone layer.

Answer 7

The planet is warming up without doubt.
We are not all going to die but there will be consequences for years too come and there is nothing we can do about it. Even if the entire world stopped its carbon emissions now, it would still take centuries to dissipate.
The latest news is that Sir Richard Branson and Al Gore have set a $25 million fund to the people who can find a way to extract a million tonnes of CO2 per annum

Answer 8

Be careful what you read - there is two sides to every story. Lots of very highly regarded scientists do not believe in global warming but we only ever hear about the ones that do. How else could the government justify taxing us on our cars, flights and the rubbish we put out? The world is constantly changing - 60 years ago today, in my region the temperature was recorded 17% degrees -did they start pannicking then - no, life goes on. The recent windy weather sparked outcry from the green brigade - well in the early 1990's we had severe winds where people died again, no panic. If it makes you feel better, keep putting your papers and bottles out but taking this rubbish to the reclying plant actually uses more energy that reclycling it!

Answer 9

This is not going to be like a Hollywood disaster movie. Very gradually coastal cities will start to flood, first in storms and then just all the time. Changes in temperature and precipitation patterns will severely damage agriculture. Rich countries will be able to cope, but it will cost them huge sums of money and lower their standard of living. In poor countries many people will die of starvation, but not all of them.

It's a disaster in very slow motion. The worst disaster in human history. It will take another 20-50 years for the worst effects to appear, but if we are going to reduce those, we need to start now.

To the people who say "solar variation" or "volcanoes". It's not that. The IPCC report analyzed those things and many others. That analysis is not their opinion, it's straightforward calculations based on peer reviewed data. And they say the major problem is us. The IPCC report has huge amounts of data and has received the most peer review of any scientific document in history. It's a unanimous report of hundreds of scientists from countries all around the world, from countries with very different political concerns. Science does not get any more solid than this.

"The science of global warming is clear. We know enough to act now. We must act now."

James Rogers, CEO of Charlotte-based Duke Energy.

"The overwhelming majority of atmospheric scientists around the world and our own National Academy of Sciences are in essential agreement on the facts of global warming and the significant contribution of human activity to that trend."

Russell E. Train, former environmental official under Presidents Nixon and Ford

"We simply must do everything we can in our power to slow down global warming before it is too late. The science is clear. The global warming debate is over."

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, California

"Our nation has both an obligation and self-interest in facing head-on the serious environmental, economic and national security threat posed by global warming."

Senator John McCain, R-Arizona

"These technologies will help us become better stewards of the environment - and they will help us to confront the serious challenge of global climate change."

President George Bush

Answer 10

the truth is we dont know.it is a complicated issue whic has now become a means through which politicians can justify increasing taxes.
i have little knowledge of the science,but i am intelligent enough to understand how it works if it is explained.
the only info i have on the subject,all through mainstream media, is that,CO2 emissions are to high and that the only way to reduce CO2 is by governments charging us punitive taxes,to discourage car use etc..
if they were serious they would improve public transport.this is the point they are not ENCOURAGING publictransport use,as they are not competent enough to sort it out.They rather DISCOURAGE car use by taxing more,which will leave p.transport with an even greater burden.So we will have to pay more taxes sort the new bigger problem of transport.
there is no consistency in what politicians say.