What do you understand by the term global warming?

Question

I can gather that some people believe the world is getting hotter. I wanted to survey why people believe this is, or is not, happening. For those who believe humanity is responsible, why do you believe this? For those who believe the contrary what causes you to think that this is not so?

What sources can we believe to tell us the truth?

Answer 1

My stock Global Warming answer:

First, I suggest you read this article:
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/306/5702/1686

Anyway, on to specific points:

1. Oceans are heating up. Yes, it does take lots of energy to heat the oceans. If they are heating, think about how much energy we've already poured into the global environment. Also, only a few degrees temperature change can make a HUGE difference. The oceans in the arctic are maybe three degrees warmer than they were this point last century, but the arctic ice cap is melting in ways never seen before. For example, there never used to be open water in the canadian archipelego, even in the summer - now, there are miles and miles of open sea.
On the canadian archipelago: http://newark.cms.udel.edu/~cats/healy_2005/science/index.html
On sea ice generally:
http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article1603667.ece

2. Some people will say that solar activity is increasing as part of an 11-year cycle. Yes, solar activity is increasing, but most scientists believe that the effect on the earth's climate has been negligible.
From a NASA press release: "...the solar increases do not have the ability to cause large global temperature increases...greenhouse gases are indeed playing the dominant role..."
Source: http://www.giss.nasa.gov/research/news/19990408/

3. Many skeptics will say that what humans put out in terms of CO2 is far less than volcanoes, fires, or other animals. As for volcanoes, fires, and animals - those have always been there. They should not have any net effect on the planet's climate. The only changing factor among those and humans is humans and our increased activity.

4. If global temperatures increase, then the temperature difference between temperature zones will remain the same. So there will always be extreme weather events like heavy snowfall in Central Park in April. But you can't look at one data point and use it to make a trend - otherwise, you could say that all white people have red hair, because you just saw a white person with red hair. You'd have to ignore all of the evidence to the contrary.

5. One frequent question skeptics ask is "how did the last ice age end?" Well, that's hard to say. Ice ages have been on cycles for hundreds of millions of years, it's true, but the problem is that the last one ended right about the same time that people discovered farming. That might be a coincidence, but it might not - the question then becomes, "Did mankind's increased use of agriculture alter the CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere and warm up the earth enough to end the last ice age, or did the end of the last ice age contribute to farming?" It's a tough question, but you should read about the Early Anthropocene Hypothesis:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_anthropocene

6. Finally, and I think this is the most persuasive argument ofr why we should change our behavior as a society: Both sides in the global warming debate have something to gain and something to lose. However, the anti-global warming side has much to gain by continuing to fight change - they have a direct expense that they can expect by having to change the way they do things, and by having to find ways to clean up their acts. Keep in mind that some of the most vocal critics of global warming theory are those who are either industry insiders themselves or who are funded by industry. On the flip side, those who are trying to convice the world of the reality of Global Warming have no direct benefit that they will gain - most do not own, say, environmental cleanup businesses. Their benefit is based entirely off of a belief in doing the right thing.

Answer 2

There's a completely overwhelming amount of scientific data showing that it's real and caused mostly by man.

Short version:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Climate_Change_Attribution.png

The best summary of the data:

http://www.ipcc.ch/SPM2feb07.pdf

The data is why scientists know it's mostly us and not the sun, volcanoes, etc. The data is why the vast majority of scientists think it's real. Proof.

http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/306/5702/1686

Good website:

http://www.realclimate.org

"climate science from climate scientists"

Watch the national news tonight, pick up a paper, or check a major news source on the Net. This truth should now be clear to all:

"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.

“With overwhelming scientific evidence that global warming is adversely impacting the health of our planet, the time has come for the Congress to take action.”

Senator Olympia Snowe, Republican, Maine

"I agree with you (Gore) that the debate over climate change is over."

Rep. Dennis Hastert, Republican, Illinois

"Global warming is real, now, and it must be addressed."

Lee Scott, CEO, Wal-Mart

“DuPont believes that action is warranted, not further debate."

Charles O. Holliday, Jr., CEO, DuPont

"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."

Arnold Schwarzenegger, Republican, Governor, 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."

John McCain, Republican, Senator, Arizona

Answer 3

The theory of man-made global warming is false. The earth goes through natural cycles of heating and cooling. Take a look at this http://wwwghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/temperature/
this is the data from NASA’s weather balloons that clearly shows the earth is not warming.
Ice cores are often cited as evidence by pro-global warming scientists but take a look for yourself at the data analyzed here http://www.john-daly.com/zjiceco2.htm
Look at this report http://www.oism.org/pproject/s33p36.htm (a side note many global warming activists will claim a scientific consensus that link shows that this claim is a complete lie. The site is a petition against global warming signed by over 17,000 scientists.)
This site http://www.worldclimatereport.com/ has many links to all sorts of scientific evidence that disproves the poles are melting, animals are worse off, and many other arguments that global warming scientists make. Humans put out very small amounts of greenhouse gasses compared to natural processes even the EPA admits that http://www.epa.gov/methane/intlanalyses.html.
Just a brief look at the data shows that global warming is nothing more than a misinterpretation of data. The IPCC’s report is not a credible source, they have used forged data before (the famous hockey stick graph which later had to be retracted after a warming phase during the 1400’s was proven to have been purposely left out due to the fact that the peak high temperature during that period was much higher than today), I have looked at their website and I see no data that proves humans are to cause, they have dozens of graphs showing CO2 emission but where is the proof that this causes global warming. CO2 makes up only .03% of our atmosphere shown here: (http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761559991/Atmosphere.html). How could something so small have such a big effect? The fact is global warming, if that’s even occurring, is caused mostly by the sun which studies have shown to be hotter now than ever before. Volcanoes and evaporation of surface water put more greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere than we ever could. Unknowing people who have no scientific background are made to believe in global warming because evidence against the theory is repressed. Look at who is supporting global warming: politicians to get votes, scientists to get media time and grants, CEO’s to try to get more business. There is much money to be made off the fear of the general population. To anyone who believes in global warming I ask you where does your “scientific” evidence stand after reading the materials in this answer?

Answer 4

Global warming means... people are becoming more friendly.