Is "Global Warming" a real threat?

Question

Is it even as we see it? Is it induced by man? Is is a cyclical event( does this happen every 2000 years or so when the earth and other planets in our solar system come into polar alignment) ?? if it is real can it really be fixed or are we fooling ourselves? Elaborate as much as possible?

Answer 1

1. It is real and we are causing it. Climate cycles do happen in nature, but the warming we are seeing now isn't part of that. We know what causes natural climate cycles, and they can be ruled out. We also see unmistakable signs of increasing greenhouse effect in the climate, such as the cooling stratosphere and decreasing diurnal temperature range, which cannot be explained in any other way. We also know that the increase in atmospheric CO2 is caused by us.
http://www.columbusnavigation.com/co2.shtml

2. Although the threat is very real, it is not imminent. We will probably go through most of the 21st century just fine with few ill effects. The biggest problems will begin hitting in the 22nd century, BUT BY THEN IT WILL BE TOO LATE. Carbon dioxide stays in the environment for decades to centuries. Changing the climate is like steering a supertanker: you have to think very, very far in advance, because climate responds very slowly to new inputs.

3. Therefore, YES, we can avoid the worst effects of climate change if we begin to act now. We need to drastically reduce existing emissions of CO2, most probably through a large-scale program of carbon sequestration. It can be done. It won't be cheap. But it will be cheaper than rebuilding that 60% of human civilization that will be sunk by sea-level rise -- just ONE of many problems the climate change will cause.

Answer 2

I'm with the Liberals on this one. Terrorism won't be the end of the world, not even in the long run. However... global warming will be the end of us all - man, plant, and animal alike. Huge ice shelves already broke off when the scientists said it should have lasted another hundred of years. There's record temperatures all over the world where it's never been like this in the entire history of time. We should have listened to Al Gore. It's probably too late now, and let us hope that our technology advances far enough to protect us in time, before the world goes to hell. The terrorists are but fleas on a bigger problem.

Answer 3

Ya global warming is a real threat! The earth will be home to what we consider 'Earth Like' conditions for about 10% of its total lifetime.

Whats causing global warming? well that we're less certian of.

one thing that is certian, by looking out at the universe, we have noticed that systems have lifecycles. One day, the earth, and all life on it will be destroyed by natural forces. Hopefully we will have taken the proper steps, such as stellar colonization, to ensure that humanity (the only known intelligent life in the universe) persists. Given the obstacles we've overcome and the human will to survive, i believe that it possible. It's just going to take alot of advanced planning, ie the sooner we begin -the better.

Answer 4

Yes. There are a few documentaries on the subject, as well as some magazines that discuss it: Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, The 1 Degree Factor, and an issue of National Geographic (from last year, I think). Even if it wasn't real, we shouldn't continue to use as much gas as we do and find "greener" sources of energy.
This is a cycle (the Earth does get warmer and CO2 does increase), but it's unnaturally high this year.
I think that we can fix this--we have to. There isn't really any other option.

Answer 5

Global warming isn't a bad thing... actually it's a great thing for the earth.... Just like armageddon is a great thing for the earth.. What should disturb humanity is that we don't understand why we don't understand...

the fact is that humans have been misguided into ignorance through religions and as long as humanity relies or accepts religious participation in the discovery of information on this earth they will be mislead..

Answer 6

Rather than doing a lot of typing, I will refer you to an article in Popular Science. You can probably find it in your local library.
It is: "The Future of the Environment", Popular Science, August 2007. This is the most complete coverage I have ever seen.
Guess what? Things are much worse than what the Liberal Media claims.

Answer 7

No.

Scientist are trying to explain the reason for increased global temperatures. The usually suspects for this cause are well known.

But are average global temperatures even reliable? Historical data on temperature is not complete because we haven't been recording temperatures for very long.

Here's a good link about global temperature:
http://www.ncpa.org/ba/ba337/ba337.html

With what scientist have found so far it's easy to conclude that global warming is natural.

Answer 8

Yes, it is. And even if you do not believe it is, what is wrong with working to conserve what we have? (i.e. trees) Plus, a lot of the tips to reduce the affects of global warming will save money. Most people like saving money...

Answer 9

i think global warming is a major problamo and i did take some action i sent a letter al gore and i got a handwritten response bak!!!! and i didnt think that he would respnd to a 7th grader (thats me) i hope i mad a difference and i believe all little things make a difference any won can!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

Global warming is a natural process anyway, we've just made it a little worse with all the polution. But it wont be like the day after tomorrow, so I wouldn't worry.