How are there still claims AGAINST global warming?

Question

Even with all of the national exposure the topic of global warming has received and the piles upon piles of supporting evidence, there is still doubt as to whether the threat really exists. What is the reasoning behind some of the counter arguments?

Answer 1

Although I feel that we, as a species, do affect our environment, we have scientifically identified that our climate goes through cycles.

There have been a number of cyclical temperature changes throurout human recorded history.

As it stands, the major focus is on CO2 and, what most people don't know, is that Methane Gas (when you or the cows or anyone else) farts, that gas is about 100 times more effective at retaining the suns heat in our atmosphere.

We may be affecting our atmosphere but as far as temperature affects go, we should pay more attention to the paving (i.e., roads and parking and buildings). These items reflect the heat instead of allowing the natural absorption to the ground or plants.

An aircraft carrier will generate its' own weather (and often has a cloud following it) because of this phenomenon.

We are concentrating on the wrong things to fix what is wrong.

BTW, see http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ah1l29U6ex9HGME133si5AkS.Rd.;_ylv=3?qid=20071201100616AAdIlym

spelling and grammatical errors are the responsibility of the individual authors.

I am a Professional Civil Engineer in Orlando, FL ( http://www.mckeonengineering.com )

Answer 2

The science behind global warming hasn't changed much over the last 20 years. Most of what's being discussed by the IPCC could have been written 20 years ago, what's wrong with the computer models (which never seem to get fixed because it will tend to nullify the findings), whether clouds have a positive or negative feedback, even the predictions for the next 100 years haven't changed.

The data was a bad fit then as all the significant warming occured before 1950 and significant cooling between 1950 and 1970 despite rising CO2 levels. The fit with real world data has improved slightly as we've had some global warming in the last 20 years.

Sceptics still have good reason to be sceptical. The rates of warming and the temperatures we are experiencing are not unprecedented in recent geological history. The case for AGW is still a long way from being proven fact.

Answer 3

It is fairly simple, There is more that we do not know about this planets weather then what we do know. How can anyone accept a "theory" as fact when there is just as much evidence for as there is against. In order to not get caught up in the popular global warming hi-jinx one must stick to the facts and only the facts. When you mix politics with money and then throw in some science, you get bad science. There is a tremendous amount of money to be made by Global warming proponents, but only if they tow the line. Look into how may of the original IPCC scientists have changed their minds on the theory of Global warming. Look into how many scientist say that the amount of CO2 has never been an accurate indicator of global temperatures. (by the way there is no such thing as a global temperature, the earth is not a Homogeneous system). It can all be summed up by what many scientists are saying. "IT'S THE SUN, STUPID". What little we do know about the climate on this planet shows us one un-deniable fact. The SUN controls the climate on this planet more then any other factor by far. The cycles of the sun have sent this planet into ice ages and warmed the planet to the point of the poles melting many times before man and will continue to do so many times after man is gone. All of the changes regardless of CO2 levels.
So you see there is climate change occuring all of the time on this planet, but man is not the cause and man cannot do anything about it. To live in your envronment without polluting it is a noble endeavor which should be pursued. Just don't let valuable resources for fighting pollution get diverted down the wrong path. Politicians like Gore will lead you down the wrong path. CO2 is not a pollutant anymore then Oxygen is. They both occur naturally in our environment in a constant state of flux.

Answer 4

At this pont in the game I am not even sure if there is any argument as to whether or not global warming is happening. I guess the only argument left for the republicrats is to what magnitude are we accelerating the effect of global warming. According to science it is true that 95% of greenhouse gases are naturally seaped out through the ocean floor via hydrothermal vents, through other volcanic activity as well as wild fires. There is a problem with this statistic though. To say that we have and are contributing 5% of the greenhouse gases emitted is an average that is figured into the entire geologic history. Since we have only been on this earth for a fraction of its existence is suggesting that are role in global greenhouse emission is much greater than what most scientists would care to believe. A really good book on environmentalism in the 20th century is called something new under the sun. It has some statistics that you may find interesting and contrary to what the status quo is pushing.

Answer 5

There is no compelling evidence that the current warming trend is anything other than part of the natural climate cycle of the earth. By compelling evidence, I mean quantititative data that has been subjected to rigorous statistical analysis showing a significant correlation between human activity and global temperature change. A significant correlation explain at least 95% of the observed variation in global temperatures.

Answer 6

Denial

when scared / lazy people are faced with a way out of responsibility they will jump at it immediately.

someone says " we don't really understand how its all happening, we need a lot more research inti it"

and they turn it into " We don't think anything is happening, its all a massive conspiracy"

Sadly there is no way to convince them otherwise as if presented with anything counter to the position they have taken, its instantly a massive worldwide scientists conspiracy.


another relevant example,

science says " There has always been climate change and natural global warming, but this is more serious"

They make it "There has always been climate change and natural global warming, so nothing is actually happening..... its all normal were fine honest I can keep doing everything I enjoy doing without having to worry about any real world consequences, anyone that thinks it is happening is a communist trying to take down America"

Answer 7

The argument is whether or not humans are causing it. This STILL has not been proven. Everyone jumped to a conclusion, money was spent and jobs created, now they are invested in this notion.

All they had to do get the Prius and other vehicles that get great gas mileage and Americans would have bought just as many, if not more. Who doesn't want to save money? I would have bought one (of course I just bypassed one because it is a new techonology that could be prone to failures, but maybe my next car will be a hybrid......let's see how well it advances).

Answer 8

Let's take a different approach to the controversy....

If the doubters are right, what benefit would continuing on the present path do for the planet?

Depletion of fossil fuels is definite.

Contamination of our natural resourses through wanton abuse, especially by large, global corporations.

Leaving a dirtier planet for future generations.

All of the above will be the effects of doing nothing.

Adoption of cleaner, more efficient, less deadly (oil is a deadly, high stakes game) energy sources.

Fining severely polluter corporations through a program that puts them out of business or makes them cash cows for the I.R.S....not like the present situation with Exxon Mobil having ruined the Alaskan waterfront and now enjoying forty billion dollar per year profits.

Everyone doing a little more towards keeping our planet cleaner by utilizing green ideas for saving energy in their homes, automobiles and on the roads.

Answer 9

Some people are honestly mistaken. Others are conspiracy theorists.

Many are conservatives who take that too far. If liberals, environmentalists or, worst, Al Gore say something, it MUST be wrong. No matter how many scientists also say it.

They should maybe listen to this:

"Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich challenged fellow conservatives to stop resisting scientific evidence of global warming"

"National Review (the most prestigious conservative magazine) published a cover story this past week calling on conservatives to shake off denial and get into the climate policy debate"

BEN O - The "fit" is very good. And that fit can't be achieved using only natural factors.

http://www.globalwarmingart.com/wiki/Image:Climate_Change_Attribution.png

Meehl, G.A., W.M. Washington, C.A. Ammann, J.M. Arblaster, T.M.L. Wigleym and C. Tebaldi (2004). "Combinations of Natural and Anthropogenic Forcings in Twentieth-Century Climate". Journal of Climate 17: 3721-3727

Answer 10

As always people refuse to see whats right in front of them although i don't think our generation will suffer the effects of global warming I'm pretty certain that if we continue like this there will be major consequences for the future.