What do you think about the global warming theory?

Question

Give me your opinions.

Answer 1

Eiyiyiyi, I usually hang out in the Anthro questions, but I decided to stretch my fingers and see what other sections might be interesting. I read this string of answers, and WOW, I could not believe what I was reading. The same mistake is made in the anthro questions with regard to evolution, Ill admit, but this has to be cleared up right here and now. What needs to be clarified before another person answers this question is the definition of "theory"!

You are all using the term colloquially:

"In common usage, people often use the word theory to signify a conjecture, an opinion, or a speculation. In this usage, a theory is not necessarily based on facts."

"Global warming"... more correctly termed "Global Climate Change", however is within the scientific realm, and when used in a scientific context, "theory" means:

"A mathematical or logical explanation, or a testable model of the manner of interaction of a set of natural phenomena, capable of predicting future occurrences or observations of the same kind, and capable of being tested through experiment or otherwise falsified through empirical observation. It follows from this that for scientists "theory" and "fact" do not necessarily stand in opposition."

This does not mean that all theories are fact, occasionally one gets turned over, but usually because a scientist jumps the gun and calls a hypothesis a theory before enough empiricle evidence has been provided towards its proof. Generally, however, when the bulk of the scientific community comes to a consensus regarding a hypothesis becoming a theory and, so long as it continues to stand up to the increasing body of empiricle evidence that scientist continue to dig up, it is as good as fact! So far there is a lot of empiricle evidence supporting "Global Climate Change" while the opposition continues to be a body of hypotheses.

A hypothesis is the scientific term that has a definition equivalent to the layman's definition of "theory".

That said, I believe my defining the terms has also clearly answered where I stand on this subject.

Ironically the way the question is worded could be compared to asking "What do you think about the theory of gravity?" To call it a theory and then say, ahhh I don't believe in it all in the same breath would not only be foolish, but hypocritical... Both these theories, moreover, will hopefully keep mankind grounded, one literally to the earth and the other with how we treat the earth, but neither, given the current body of empiricle evidence, could be claimed as hypotheses.

Answer 2

The question is not whether global warming happens, scientist know for a fact that global warming along with global cooling are part of the Earth cycle. Major changes in the Earth's temperature occurs periodically over time.

Therefore, the questions are:

1. Is Earth in a state of global warming at this time?

and if so,

2. How much of a role are humans playing in speeding up the process of global warming?

It is the above questions that people are debating.

From personal perspective, there is no question humans effect the world around them. Whether it's pumping pollution into the air or ravaging our planets resources, we can do a lot of damage.

Just because global warming can occur naturally from internal/external processes, doesn't mean our actions cannot speed it up.

Regardless of where one stands on the issue of global warming and the role that humans may be contributing to it, doesn't negate the fact that we have a responsibility to take care our world.

The belief that we can do whatever we want and rely on the misconception that the Earth will repair any damage we cause with no consequence to us, is foolishness and a fallacy we would come to regret were we to follow this line of illogical thinking.

This Earth is our home and since we do not possess the ability of Interplanetary travel, it's the only home we are going to have for a very long time.

So while it is inevitable that as our civilization advances and grows we cause some damage to our ecosystem, we can still be responsible and try to minimize the impact we do have.

Answer 3

Global warming is an observable fact. It's proven that carbon dioxide (CO2) traps the sun's heat just like a greenhouse. That's why it's also called the greenhouse effect.

The more carbon in the atmosphere, the more temps will rise. Scientists have found a direct connection between the high levels of CO2 in our atmosphere (the highest they've ever been in the history or the planet) and the increase of the palnets average temperature (both surface and atmopsheric).

Answer 4

There are all ready far too many 'opinions' on this. This is the way we deal with political issues today- marshal a bunch of stupid opinions on one side, another bunch on the other, and whoever gets 'their man' as president wins.

It's about time we got facts, and researchers to interpret those facts without having to do the bidding of some oil company or environment lobby group.

We have destroyed the independent institutions in our countries, elevated the most brain-addled arrogant @r$eh0les to positions of influence, and we wonder why we can't get to grips with major challenges?

I just looked through some of the links on the site provided by Matt above, and the consensus seems to be that glacial melting is caused by the Greenhouse effect. Scientists who discounted other alleged signs of global warming agreed on this (Kilimanjaro story, 'World's largest ice sheet' story). Perhaps he hasn't read his own sources- or perhaps he doesn't want the truth, but just material to support his pre-ordained position.

Answer 5

Theoretically it may or may not be a good theory. Maybe the global poles are shifting again and that may be as good a theory. A theory is merely a conjecture derived from observation of certain phenomenon. It is not a proven reality. You have to take it on faith like religion. Some people have insurmountable faith in that religion and will defend it until the ice caps return.

Answer 6

When the majority of scientists in the field believe in it, then I accept it is likely a fact. Could I be wrong? Perhaps, but I don't know more than the scientists do, so I am throwing my lot in with them. Same holds true for evolution. When the rest of us all become experts on these subjects, maybe we'll be able to give a decent opinion. I'm afraid you won't find many here.

Answer 7

Yes, there is global warming. No doubt about it.
The big questions are why is it happening and what to do about it.

We look for easy scapegoats to blame for the why part. It is easy to blame the large corporation or government. It is harder to blame ourselves for wasteful behavior.

It is a lot about political correctness. Overpopulation contributes to global warming but people are reluctant to blame religious and political leaders that actually encourage more births in their population.

Fuel and energy have a lot to do with global warming as well as general pollution. Everybody clamors for alternative fuels but they really have disappointed people.
Personally, I believe nuclear power both creates and solves a lot of problems. We should give our scientist an opportunity to find safer and more efficient atomic energy.

Answer 8

I think that environmental science has established that there is a trend of global temperature increase. Why this is a political issue, I do not know. The Earth is warming (and neo-cons, it doesn't matter if it is a small sample size...the sample that we have shows increased temperature) and there are things that society can do to decrease our carbon footrprint...without having to give up every luxury that we Americans are accustomed to.

Answer 9

Not a theory. Truth. I cannot find any examples of actual scientists who still argue against Global Warming. What I do find is that NASA, the UN, the American EPA, and every other major scientific organization that would care, says it exists, and that people need to make changes to help slow down the changes.

We may or may not be able to stop the changes, but the slower they go, the more time nature will have to adjust, and the more time people will have to move entire populations, agricultural productivity, etc.

Answer 10

THEORY? Its a FACT. Some people want you to believe its a theory. And because of that there's not enough emphasis on the subject, people aren't taking the matter serious. And that is the biggest problem of all. We can change it if we act together, but at the rate we're going we're doomed. It is said that if we don't change our way, within 6 to 7 years the effects of global warming will be irreversible.