Are the warnings about global warming too little too late or is it all hogwash?

Answer 1

It's not so much that the warmings are too little too late, more that governments delayed taking action for a long time.

Global warming was established as a scientific fact in 1893, by the 1940's scientists were becoming increasingly concerned about the potential consequences and spent the best part of 50 years warming governments that they needed to take action. It wasn't until 1988 that the UK government under prime minister Margaret Thatcher took any notice. The result was the first Earth Day summit held in Rio in 1991, this was probably the single most defining moment in the history of global warming and the one that brought the subject to the attention of the world.

Unfortunately, by then it had been ignored and a simple problem that could, theoretically at least, have been nipped in the bud decades ago, had been allowed to mushroom into a major problem.

It's actually impossible to state whether it's a case of too little too late. The reason being that we don't know quite where the line is that once crossed the damage becomes irreperable. This line, or tipping point, could be as much as 50 years away, we may have already reached it, most scientists believe it to be 20 to 30 years away.

On the assumption that it is 20 to 30 years away it doesn't leave us much time to act. We've acheived very little in the 16 years since Rio and need to dramatically increase our efforts to combat climate change.

Answer 2

I don't believe we know for sure.

It is an undeniable fact that temperatures have been rising steadily as of late.

What we don't know is whether or not this is part of a cyclic pattern or if this is something we should truly be alarmed about.

I think the conservatives who want to bury their head in the sand because they don't want to spend the money on greening up are being shortsighted and stupid. If there is something that we can do to slow down the global warming trend (if its not a cyclic pattern), then they are passing on even higher costs to their children, let alone a nastier environment.

I think that some of the liberals who want to scream that the sky is falling are being overly alarmist. I believe it is something that we should keep watching, and it's prudent to start doing behaviors that are more environmentally friendly. But the scare tactics about how Florida's going to be underwater in another 100 years (I don't think that's really what anyone has said...I say that with some faceitiousness) is a little much.

I think the jury is out on whether it's as dire a concern as some make it out to be, but we need to get our heads out of the sand (or other parts of our anatomy) and start doing things that make sense...even if they cost a bit more.

Answer 3

The experts disagree about global warming. For every expert that says its too late there is one who says its just natural variations in weather done by nature.

No matter how much money the USA spends to curb global warming, China and Russia won't spend a rubble so why should we bother, they will create 50 times the pollution we are and they won't care.

So, even if man is causing it, whatever we don't won't help.

Answer 4

Depends on your computer model. They seem to keep changing, and their predictions are, well, incompetent and incompatible with each other.

The trick is to pick the RIGHT computer model. Kinda like picking the One True God, before He smacks you around.

Me, I'm still waiting for the coming Ice Age --- I'm a relic from the 1970s.

Warmest recorded years in the US: 1930's. Nastiest hurricanes: ditto; all happened before the current scare. But, take it on faith because it's a moral choice. And apply for your government grant before the competition gets even worse...

We must all stop ManBearPig. Flagellate often.

Answer 5

Seems like we're a little too late, but we can still conserve everything we still have at the moment.... maybe getting off this computer would help... hmmmm....

Answer 6

Too much , too early and hoax!
U can add few more terms
Enviroment terrorist
Globl warming mafia
G W doomsday cult.
IPCC ignorant pepole's crazy council.
Doomsday extreamist

Answer 7

There are alot of theorys about it. You have to make up your own mind but either way the government is going to eventually make our minds up for us.

Answer 8

its never too late to follow your conscience. we should respect our planet. even if your neighbor does not.

Answer 9

probably somewhere in the middle