I watched the documentary by Al Gore, ‘An Inconvienient Truth.’ Some of his presentation / slideshow is highlighted in this video. The kids and their ticking time bomb is a powerful touch! Then I read about ‘The Great Global Warming Swindle’ documentary, some points which are highlighted in this video >>
Now, I’m totally confused. What is under dispute is whether global warming is actually man-made, caused by carbon emissions or just the natural ebb and flow of the sun’s temperature, which implies that nothing we do on earth will make any significant difference. Read some views about the vastness of the oceans and lands, and how insignificant man-made industry / factories are by comparison and how arrogant human beings are to believe they can have such a significant impact on an ancient earth.
The former argument suggests that CO2 causes the ozone layer to become denser, which traps in the sun’s rays (the greenhouse effect) and therefore increases the earth’s temperature. The latter argument suggests that CO2 makes up only 0.1% of the atmosphere and that there is an 800 year lag of rise in CO2 after the temperature has risen.
As usual there seems to be evidence either way but both sides can be accused of political bias and warping statistics to meet their objectives. Many scientists are apparently afraid to speak up against the mainstream as there is a stigma attached, that “denying global warming is like denying the holocaust.” What is the truth? Are the environmentalists genuine in their moral intentions or is the issue being abused to curry political favour ie: David Cameron, to get more funding for research or from the public ie: recycling tax fines? Do those with integrity / ethics actually understand the science involved?
Are those opposed trying to protect their interests in oil or automobiles or hungry to maintain power over industry / technology? A couple of the talking heads featured have apparently tried to ban the release of the documentary and the director has allegedly been accused of presenting fraudulent facts before. Is this another lie? I just don’t know what to believe now, maybe I’m actually becoming a sceptic. I can see how the majority of media, news, documentaries are full of propaganda / spin with one-sided views. However, I’ll continue tearing my windows off envelopes etc.
Hi – none of the research scientists I work with or talk to have any doubt about the big picture. There is, like with all science, fuzzy-ness around the edges and it’s these ‘details’ that the media often run with… because they’re interesting stories, not because they’re ‘important in the grand scheme of things’.
No one would deny that smoking is dangerous etc but you can easily find people who smoke 40+ every day and are 85 in the peak of health etc…. exceptions are interesting (and important) but we mustn’t forget that they *are* exceptions.
In any case, most of the things we can do to help with the issue of global warming are beneficial to us as individuals anyway – cycling, low-energy bulbs etc. so on one sense, who cares if the problem is real or not, man-made or not….? 🙂
Simon
the effect of Global Warming these days is even worst. i think every government should pass stricter laws on Carbon Emissions. we should also concentrate more on renewable energy sources and avoid fossil fuels.
+ We should be more concerned about Global Warming and Climate Change because Typhoons are getting much stronger and there are greater incidence of Flooding. take for example the recent Typhoon Ketsana which devastated some countries in South East Asia.
Global warming is becoming such an obvious problem that someone somewhere other than the US President needs to step up to help drive a massive campaign which aims to reduce Global Warming.
Global Warming and Climate Change is the biggest environmental issue that we face these days. the long term effects of these environmental changes to a nations economy is quite damaging. there would be a shortage in food supply as well as on water supply too.
The effects of Global Warming is getting much stronger these days. We should concentrate more on alternative energy to reduce carbon emissions.