Climate Change: Separating Politics From Science
Climate Change
Climate Change: What a Complicated Topic. Some in the scientific community want you to believe that there is a unanimous consensus about what causes Global Warming. Alarmist want you to believe that Anthropogenic (Caused by Human Activity) Global Warming will Ultimately Destroy Our Planet. I don't believe this.
I feel that much of the Information People hear about was designed with one Purpose in Mind: To Make a Profit. Unfortunately, some politicians like to exploit fear in order to advance their agenda, and use all the hype as an "economic stimulus".
--> We Will Explore this Highly Debated Topic, and look at opinions of a reputable scientists, as well as the intergovernmental panel on climate change.
So Is The Climate Changing? YES.
The Atmosphere IS Dynamic. What Makes This issue So Complex is that There is So Many Atmospheric Processes that have influence on our climate. Some of these processes can be accurately predicted using current technology, while others cannot. One of the best ways to check a model as a valid source is running the model backwards through time. Then, compare the Model's predicted output, with actual measurements taken at the same location.
A Statement From Dr. John Christy- The University of Alabama in Huntsville
In a Paper written for the Senate Committee of Science and Transportation, Dr. Christy discusses the relationship between Carbon Dioxide and Global Warming. As the paper opens, he mentions the fact that Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere is Increasing. One reason attributed to the increase in Carbon Dioxide is an increase in the combustion of fossil fuels. Now, with all the hype that Carbon Dioxide gets in regard to Global Warming, this next statement may surprise some (It was Surprising to Me at First!).
Christy Writes: "It is our great fortune (because we produce so much of it) that CO2 is not a pollutant."
Christy , John. "Testimony for Senate." 10 Dec 2008 <http://www.gcrio.org/OnLnDoc/pdf/pdf/christy000517.pdf>.
In 1989, Dr. Roy Spencer and Dr. John Christy compiled satellite data from a period beginning in 1979 and continuing through 1989. During this ten year window, the data indicated VERY LITTLE warming on earth's surface.
Christy , John. "Satellite Temperature Data ." George C. Marshall Institute . 10 Dec 2008 < http://www.marshall.org/pdf/materials/415.pdf>.
Now, I'm sure you've seen COUNTLESS times pictures of Huge Chunks of Ice melting into the ocean. Sounds like typical global warming rherotic to me. Did warming temperatures cause the ice to melt? Quite Possibly, but on a REGIONAL basis. As you can see in the graphic below, sea ice surface area around the globe has changed very little in the past ~30 years. http://arctic.atmos.uiuc.edu/cryosphere/IMAGES/global.daily.ice.area.withtrend.jpg
(Image URL Above)
The Intergonvernmental Panel on Climate Change
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Or IPCC) was Created in 1988. The purpose of the organization is to analyze the repercussions of anthropogenic (caused by humans) global warming. This or
In it's Fourth-Quarter 2007 Report, the IPCC Found That:
-Effects of Warming are Apparent Worldwide, and Another 1 Degree C of Warming is unavoidable due to past emissions, and Continued Emissions will Only Increase the Warming. .
- 100's of Millions of People at Risk for Water Shortage, Competition for Water Resources will Increase Globally (Due to Melting Glaciers) The IPCC Also predicts that many Latin American Glaciers will disappear within the next several decades.
-Increased Flooding in Northern, Central, and Eastern Europe
- Changes in Food Production: Food Production Decrease in Low-Latitude regions near the equator, and even a small increase in temperature will significantly affect crop production in significant areas.
-Reduction in Land Suitable for Agriculture in Africa (Likely Food Shortages by 2020)
- Lengthened Growing Seasons in Countries North of The Equator (Including North America, New Zealand, North Europe Countries), and increased flooding (In the Event of a 3-5 Degrees C Temperature Increase) .
The report concludes that those most vulnerable to a change in food production are those that depend on climate-sensitive food and water supplies, and countries whose government is unable to cope with extreme floods or droughts.
-30% of World Species facing Extinction in the Event of a 3-5 Degree C temperature rise. The report also points out that many models predict this to happen by the middle of the 21'st century.
-Sea Level Rise threatening Coasts, Including Many Major Cities
- More extreme weather, with a significant impact on human life. The IPCC predicts an increase in frequency and intensity of many natural disasters including heat waves, floods, storms (Hurricanes, Tornadoes, Thunderstorms), droughts, and fires.
The Report concludes that the increase in fires will only enhance global warming due to an increase in Carbon Dioxide emissions.
The report also concludes that food production will be negatively impacted due to floods and other natural disasters.
In Conclusion, the IPCC FindsThat an Increase in these Disasters will increase injuries and deaths around the world.
"Findings of the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report." Union of Concerned Scientists. 10 Dec 2008 <http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming/science_and_impacts/science/findings-of-the-ipcc-fourth.html>.
Wow, So who do you believe? The IPCC Or John Christy?
I believe that Anthropogenic (human) activity has an affect on our climate. It's absolutely imperative that we use our natural resources wisely, and keep pollution to a minimum.
I think it's hard to believe many of the IPCC's findings when the Net amount of Sea Ice has changed very little.
I think their Data Sets are Skewed, and Their Hypothesis are WRONG.
Below, We'll continue to Contrast Ideas Presented by Different Individuals.
Views From The Weather Channel
A Message From the Founder of The Weather Channel - John Coleman
You may want to give credit where credit is due to Al Gore and his global warming campaign the next time you fill your car with gasoline, because there is a direct connection between Global Warming and four dollar a gallon gas. It is shocking, but true, to learn that the entire Global Warming frenzy is based on the environmentalist's attack on fossil fuels, particularly gasoline. All this big time science, international meetings, thick research papers, dire threats for the future; all of it, comes down to their claim that the carbon dioxide in the exhaust from your car and in the smoke stacks from our power plants is destroying the climate of planet Earth. What an amazing fraud; what a scam.
Coleman, John. "Global Warming and the Price of Gas." 11 Dec 2008 <http://www.kusi.com/weather/colemanscorner/19842304.html>.
Compare this, to the rhetoric coming out of The Weather Channel Now from Dr. Heidi Cullen. Coleman, John.
On Her Blog, Dr. Cullen writes:
"There is convincing evidence that since the industrial revolution, human activities, resulting in increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases and other trace constituents in the atmosphere, have become a major agent of climate change."
She Continues, proposing the revocation of approval from the American Meteorological Society (Which is an ABSOLUTE must in Competitive Weather Media Markets)
"I'd like to take that suggestion a step further. If a meteorologist has an AMS Seal of Approval, which is used to confer legitimacy to TV meteorologists, then meteorologists have a responsibility to truly educate themselves on the science of global warming. (One good resource if you don't have a lot of time is the Pew Center's Climate Change 101.)"
Cullen, Heidi. Junk Controversy Not Junk Science. The Weather Channel. 11 Dec 2008 <http://www.weather.com/blog/weather/8_11392.html>.