Man is too insignificant to have any impact on the climate.
The Sun has a far, far greater impact on the warmth of this planet. The Sun is the source for all energy for the climate, and all heat.
2007-11-05 00:46:39
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answer #1
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answered by Dr Jello 7
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I've become very concerned with what I've been seeing and hearing during the last 5 years. The buzz started well before then, but has only recently begun to gain momentum, with more articles, more proponents, more skeptics, more deniers. This means, gratefully, that one can't shirk the issue any longer. Pretty much everyone has an opinion, so it will be interesting to read the answers here, since you've given us a lot of latitude!
I personally think we've been having a substantial impact since the advent of the industrial age. In college I remember learning about moths in England and how one moth species had an advantage over another in a region near the coal mines. But overall, the soil, air and water have all become contaminated. One used to be able to backpack up high in the Sierras and drink the water. Now, that seems an unnecessary risk, and I filter all water I drink while hiking.
Industry, cars & airplanes, the sheer number of people -- that we have a great impact is not surprising. What is shocking and disconcerting is realizing how we've impacted the environment to a degree where we've imperiled the whole process on which we rely. To try to meet the needs of the future, we must address what's been occuring ASAP so we don't have to worry about the dire forecasts put forth that claim to predict what would happen if humans fail to act.
I have so many links I can offer overall, and the list is growing every week. I put them out there for those wanting the discussion, those that either haven't made up their minds or have room in their heads to learn more about climate change and our role in it.
Thanks for facilitating the discussion today. That's what those of us in the trenches should be doing, talking it out!
2007-11-05 02:04:35
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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As the human race we do have an effect on the atmosphere, but what is not accurate is the amount of impact we actually have. Polar icecaps are melting, nobody can be in any doubt about that, but the question is what is casing that. The green house gas effect which we are contributing to in emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases is having an effect. But the killer greenhouse gas is water vapour. This makes the photons rebound and the heat energy is passed to the polar icecaps.
But nobody has taken into account the suns activity. Recently our sun has been more active, producing more heat and sunlight. So can it really be a surprise that more water vapour is in the air as one of the effects of sunlight and heat is to create the water system? With more evaporation there will be more water in the air for the sunlight and heat to rebound upon.
So whilst we are having an effect on global warming, and cutting down on the amount of carbon dioxide and other gases that we emit may be a good idea, do not be surprised if the earth doesn't suddenly get cooler!
2007-11-05 05:49:25
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answer #3
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answered by UIna 4
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Although global warming is a natural thing, what's alarming at the moment is the rate at which it happens. It's not only about droughts, hot weather, etc. It's also about early flowering of certain plants that some bugs feed on. If those bugs aren't at their adult life stage yet, they can't feed on those flowers. It also means that some species sensitive to temperature changes are les likely to survive through times ad little by little, more 'flexible species' will colonise more and more ecological niches.... Global warming IS happening but it's not as simple as a very ot summer or very cold winter...
2007-11-06 08:04:31
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answer #4
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answered by kittymiffyetcie 3
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Global warming is here and it is real. Have you seen the pictures of the ice caps melting, noticed the drought in Georgia or the increasing intensity of storms over the last few years? This is all related to global warming and if we don't stop questioning our role in it all and taking steps to reduce our impact, we are truly missing the boat. Our inaction today could cause horrific consequences for millions of people around the globe in the foreseeable future. Is it really worth asking that question or is it time to do something about it?
2007-11-04 23:36:29
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answer #5
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answered by squiggle 2
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Actually Global Warming is not yet a proven phenomenon. Whilst there has been a minor increase in average global temperatures over the past 140 years' records, the fact is that the start point of those records was below the expected median temperature.
"Warmistas" claim that increasing oceanic temperatures have reduced the seas' ability to absorb CO2........... BALDERDASH!!!!!!!........... The increase in average oceanic temperatures (over the past 140 years) is approximately 0.66 deg. Seasonal temperatures vary by up to 20 deg!
The major point in dispute is whether atmospheric CO2 levels are a cause, or a symptom of global warming.
The greatest influence on oceanic absorption of CO2 is not the water, but the oceanic plankton bloom.
Close study, over the past 30 years, has indicated a steady reduction in the absorption of CO2 by oceanic plankton. This is accompanied by severe depletion of coral reefs and a reduction in the production of Di-Methyl-Sulphide (DMS) which is a Global Cooling agent (in that DMS is a major factor in the formation of rainclouds).
It might be said that plankton is suffering from either a lack of nutrients, or excessive heat. The problem with such opinion is that significant increases in plankton bloom are being reported! It has been shown, by experimentation, that dusting the plankton bloom with iron oxide causes a dramatic increase in local CO2 absorption levels. However, this, in turn, would not be a viable solution, due to the toxic effects of mass dusting!
Conversation with a marine scientist, who has been working for many years in the field of "planktonology", for the marine oil industry, might have exposed a hitherto unrealised issue.
PLANKTON PHOTOSYNTHESIS IS AFFECTED BY CHANGES IN THE MAGNETIC FIELD.
The Earth's magnetic field is, at the moment, undergoing extreme fluctuations, due to the imminent periodic "flip" of North and South Poles. This process could continue for another century. Since this is the first "flip" since the discovery of the Earth's magnetic field, nobody knows.
So it is highly likely that, despite any concerted effort by the human race, atmospheric CO2 levels will continue to rise for a considerable period, before reducing. The amount of that increase is anybody's guess.
The melting Arctic Ice Pack is probably due to human activity, but not in the way that "Warmistas" think!
It probably has more to do with atmospheric industrial pollutants reducing the reflective qualities of the ice surface. Ice is basically pure frozen water, which freezes quicker than sea water. Unfortunately the pure ice water, on melting, mixes with the saline sea water, reducing the freezing temperature, and slowing down the refreezing action due to winter.
This would account for the unexpectedly swift loss of the Arctic Ice Cap.
Whilst Global Warming might not be a problem, other human pollution is! So we really do need to adress the issues of industrial pollutants.......... and PDQ!
2007-11-05 00:54:25
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answer #6
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answered by Bob P 5
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We really have to believe that 'every little helps' and carry on doing our bit.
It's more of an inconvenience to change our habits than we'd like, but we'd soon get used to the new regime of recycling/sharing/re-using/switching off etc.
There are financial benefits for us too, such as electricity saving also cuts bills.
Even if it is a big con as come sceptics say, does it really hurt to clean up after ourselves?
It's not always someone else's problem and each individual makes a difference.
2007-11-04 23:19:54
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answer #7
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answered by pirate_princess 7
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Human impact on global warming? ZERO
Here is truth about global warming:
Global warming is one-half of the climatic cycle of warming and cooling.
The earth's mean temperature cycles around the freezing point of water.
This is a completely natural phenomenon which has been going on since there has been water on this planet. It is driven by the sun.
Our planet is currently emerging from a 'mini ice age', so is
becoming warmer and may return to the point at which Greenland is again usable as farmland (as it has been in recorded history).
As the polar ice caps decrease, the amount of fresh water mixing with oceanic water will slow and perhaps stop the thermohaline cycle (the oceanic heat 'conveyor' which, among other things, keeps the U.S. east coast warm).
When this cycle slows/stops, the planet will cool again and begin to enter another ice age.
It's been happening for millions of years.
The worrisome and brutal predictions of drastic climate effects are based on computer models, NOT CLIMATE HISTORY.
As you probably know, computer models are not the most reliable of sources, especially when used to 'predict' chaotic systems such as weather.
Global warming/cooling, AKA 'climate change':
Humans did not cause it.
Humans cannot stop it.
2007-11-05 00:24:06
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answer #8
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answered by credo quia est absurdum 7
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!If the UK totally eliminated its entire output of so-called 'greenhouse gasses' it would make absolutely no difference because China, India, South America, USA etc. would replace it within a matter of a few weeks. Even if proven to cause climate change,which it isn't, there is nothing we can do about it. Our contribution is akin to chucking a house brick into Loch Ness - and claiming that the water level has risen!
2007-11-07 09:38:46
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answer #9
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answered by Anonymous
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According to the historical record provided by the Vostok ice core data (see reference), there is a consistent behavior after every temperature peak where global temperatures fall while the carbon dioxide levels remain elevated. This behavior could not occur if, as the AGW proponents contend, elevated CO2 levels cause global warming. Temperatures should remain elevated until CO2 levels drop—they do not.
Since the only proposed global warming mitigation effort is the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and since historical temperatures fall precipitously despite elevated carbon dioxide levels, it is evident that we cannot influence global temperature changes. That is, not only can we not initiate global warming through CO2 emissions, we cannot arrest it through the reduction of such emissions.
Therefore, we are not, have not, and will not effect global temperature trends through the only proposed mitigation technique—CO2 emission reduction. We cannot affect global temperatures, we can only prepare.
2007-11-04 23:41:00
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answer #10
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answered by Dr.T 4
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