What is the Earth's "ideal" temperature?

Question

Ok, we know the earth has been around for approximately 5 billion years, and in that time has undergone both warmer and cooler periods than the present climate. Most life thrives in a warmer climate, although some species do prefer the cold. So the question becomes - what is the "ideal" temperature of the earth, and who (or what) is that ideal for?

Please support with examples. Which specie or species are you placing priority on for your "ideal," and why?

Answer 1

The ideal temp. is what ever the earth is not as long as humans exist

Answer 2

Just like you say some species prefer a warmer climate whilst other prefer it cooler. The same is true when it comes to drier or wetter conditions. The ideal climate though don't change too rapidly in any directions. That way species can manage to adapt and that includes humans as well.

It's very likely we are changing the earth climate too fast if we don't cut down on our greenhouse gas emissions. That has lead to mass extinctions in the past, regardless if the temperature changes was upwards or down.

So hypothetically, even IF the "ideal" temperature would be slightly higher than todays figures: To find the "ideal" way to get there would take thousands of years if we would be able to help the current species on earth to adapt.

Answer 3

There is no "average temperature" for the earth, as weather patterns are not static, and fluctuate wildly over time. Many factors influence the temperature and weather patterns of the Earth, including Sun spots. During times of high sun spot activity, the temperature of the Earth increases. This is occurring right now, and proof positive is that the temperature on Mars has also increased. Al Gore has yet to explain how Americans are causing Martian global warming or how he can personally profit from it.

Answer 4

I don't know what the ideal temperature is, but in the past the temperature has been almost 10 Deg. C warmer than current and CO2 levels have been over 1000 PPM for most chapters of life on earth. In fact, the greatest chapters of life on planet earth (Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous) were written with CO2 levels well over 1000 PPM and temperatures at 20+ Deg. C. The evolution of grass in the Cretaceous probably played the biggest part in the reduction of CO2 levels below 1000 PPM.

http://mysite.verizon.net/mhieb/WVFossils/Carboniferous_climate.html

With that evidence in hand I would say that the ideal temperature is somewhere about 10 Deg. C. warmer than current is probably ideal.
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Answer 5

The earth is molten rock, it will survive in temperatures higher and lower than all life on earth.

Ideally it would prefer a molten core as the electromagnetic sheild would help preserve the planet.

Eventually the sun will engulf the earth, and the extra high gravity will destroy it before the temperature does.

The Earth was probably more ideal for it's own sake before it cooled and life formed.

Answer 6

There is no such thing as an "ideal" temperature for earth, at best an optimal range of temperatures can be defined for each climate zone.
this "optimal range defines the optimal temperatures for each specific ecological niche.
when this range of temperatures changes very slowly, by slowly I mean in evolutionary terms where significant changes take about 10000 generations, the result is evolution and modification of species to different temperature ranges, and migration to more suitable zones.
When this range of temperatures changed rapidly, and a few hundred years is very rapid, the result is mass extinction and very limited migration.

Answer 7

Something other than where we're taking ourselves.

http://www.globalwarmingart.com/wiki/Image:2000_Year_Temperature_Comparison_png

When the Earth was warmer, coastlines were different, and plants grew in very different places.

We're no longer nomads, who could just pick up their tents and move. Moving people away from coasts, replacing things we lose, and redoing agriculture will be hugely expensive. Hordes of global warming refugees swarming over borders is sure to cause great troubles.

"We humans have built a remarkable socioeconomic system during perhaps the only time when it could be built, when climate was sufficiently stable to allow us to develop the agricultural infrastructure required to maintain an advanced society.

If the Earth came with an operating manual, the chapter on climate might begin with a caveat that the system has been adjusted at the factory for optimum comfort, so don't touch the dials."

Modern technological, city dwelling man is my species of concern. Because that's me, and all I hold dear.

Answer 8

What ever temperature the policticans say it should be and don't question Al Gore.

If he says it he must be right because he made a movie.

We all know if has been made into a movie it is fact.

Just like the Attack of the Killer Tomatoes

Answer 9

There isn't any ideal climate temp. If "scientist" set a goal, a norm, and we reach it, what will they have to research?

No, what ever the temp is, man has to be at fault. Even if the temps cool down, man has to be to blame in order to keep the populous alarmed and demand that the gvmt do more to "save" them.

Answer 10

Methinks you are confused. The danger from global warming comes not from the planet being warmer, but from the rate at which it's getting that way.

There is no ideal temperature for the planet.