Global Warming Debates - Thesis Example

?Global Warming Introduction: The recent decades have been plagued with rising concerns regarding the drastic change in climates, across the globe. Scientists have continuously attributed such changes to a phenomenon called “global warming”, and have conducted significant research to prove the validity of their arguments. However, recently these arguments put forward in favor of global warming, have been challenged by skeptics, who dismiss the whole phenomenon as a “myth” or a man-made controversy. Thus, while on one hand, there are groups of scientists who claim that global warming is indeed real, and support it with facts and empirical evidences; on the other hand, there are other skeptical groups who dismiss it as a mere 'theory' or a 'myth'. The major controversies surrounding global warming, include - skepticism regarding the change in climate beyond natural variations; questionable evidences against the factors responsible for global warming as well as the likely scope and extent of its impact; effectiveness and validity of the strategies suggested to combat global warming and for reducing carbon footprints; and the estimated size, effect and consequences of the phenomenon. Skeptics have raised serious concerns and questions regarding the scientific consensus about the effects of global warming as well as the adequacy of facts and evidence supporting the theories of global warming. The debates and cynicism regarding the far reaching effects of global warming are large observed among the policy makers and political spheres, rather than within the scientific communities. Furthermore, doubts have also been raised regarding the causes of global warming. According to some the main cause of global warming is yet to be explored while others consider it as a natural phenomenon while yet others consider human activities, responsible for the phenomenon. There are various arguments put forward by skeptics, and the same have been rebutted with facts and evidences in the following section, thus further substantiating and reaffirming the fact that global warming is indeed real and not a myth, contrary to rising opinion. Criticisms and Rebuttals: 1. The earth is not warming, instead, it has cooled down over the past decade: According to the skeptics, the earth is not warming, as claimed by the scientists and even if it is, the extent of damage as predicted by them is over exaggerated. They further claim that there exists data / scientific evidence which suggest that the earth is in fact, cooling, rather than warming. It is further stated that the planet was warming during the 20th century but the warming had stopped over a decade ago, and the Earth has been cooling ever since 1998 (Singer & Avery, 2007). This is supported by the fact that the periods between December 2007 and November 2008 have been the coldest periods of the decade (Singer & Avery, 2007). It is argued that although the earth may not be cooling, but the evidence claiming that the earth is warming, is not credible and holds no relevance. Rebuttal: Although the evidence showing that the average temperature has fallen during the decade holds relevance, but the same, does not prove that the earth is cooling. The differences in temperatures is mostly because of the factors used for comparison, for instance, the year 1998 which was used as a base, was the hottest year of the century. Contrary to the claims made by the skeptics regarding “cooling of the Earth” the planet never stopped warming. The temperatures during the year 1997 were hotter as compared to that in the year 1995, while 1998 soon surpassed 1997 to become the hottest year of the decade, which in turn was replaced by years 2002 and 2003. According to NASA, the year 2007 was the hottest year of the century on record. All these reports clearly show that the temperature is constantly rising, with no signs of slowing down (Casper, 2009; Robinson, 2007; Singer & Avery, 2007). 2. Statistics related to surface temperatures are unreliable and are blown out of proportion. The crisis isn’t as bad as it is made to look. The skeptics argue that the scientists are misguided in forming their opinions because of their reliance on the temperature readings from weather stations, which are artificially boosted and hence the observations made in accordance thereof, are not only exaggerated but invalid as well. Furthermore it is also argued that since most of the weather stations are located in cities, which are known to trap more heat because of the concrete and other similar structures. The heat generated by such structures is apparently more as compared to that generated by the greenhouse gases. Hence the observations made are misleading and proves that global warming is a myth. (Pickering et al., 1997; Leroux, 2005; Kirwan, 2000; Allaby, 2002; Johansen, 2009). Rebuttal: The fact that the temperatures do rise due to the urban heat-island effect cannot be denied. However, the same cannot be used as an argument to disprove the observations regarding temperature rise. This is because, the data regarding temperatures is collected from both urban and rural areas, by NASA’s Goddard institute for space studies, and compared to form a balanced opinion based on observations thereof (Rapp, 2008; NRC, 2010). Furthermore, there is credible evidence which supports the facts that the planet is in fact warming rapidly (Braash, McKibben, 2009; Johansen, 2009;); there is a sudden rise observed in the oceans’ temperature; the glaciers and permafrost are fast disappearing (Casper, 2009); there is a significant shrinkage in the Arctic ice caps; and a simultaneous damage to flora and fauna is observed with several plants becoming extinct and birds / animals migrating beyond their historical habitats (Miller, 2007; McKibben, 2009). Thus indicating a significant change in the earth’s temperature, and proving the fact that global warming is in fact real and not a figment of human imagination. 3. The climate shifts are not as dramatic and alarming as claimed. According to the skeptics, the Earth’s climate has always been rising and shifting in the past and that the rise in climate is not sudden or dramatic. They further claim that the temperature during the medieval period was warmer than the one recorded during the 20th century, way before the advent of industrialization, which is, today, regarded as one of the key contributors to global warming (Leroux, 2005; Singer & Avery, 2007). Rebuttal: The Earth’s climate cannot be studied in isolation and the global data must be co-related and compared to get a fair idea about the issue of global warming. Key elements and patterns across the globe must be studied to arrive at a common consensus - such as comparison with respect to floral growth; tree rings or ice caps during the medieval ages and the 20th century. The temperature must then be recorded and recalculated according to the elements mentioned above. Scientists, who replicated the whole scenario, have concluded with substantial evidence that the temperature during the middle-ages was in fact, relatively cooler than the one recorded during the 20th century. Furthermore, a sharp increase in temperatures is observed during the past three decades, as compared to those in the middle-ages (Leroux, 2005; Singer & Avery, 2007). 4. The rise in sea-levels is not due to rise in carbon-dioxide levels, since there is no evidence regarding the same. The skeptics agree and acknowledge the fact that the sea-levels are indeed rising, however they dismiss the claims made regarding the reasons behind the same. According to them, the rise in carbon-dioxide levels cannot be attributed to and / or linked with the simultaneous rise in sea-levels because there is lack of credible evidence to prove the same. They further claim that the rise in sea-levels is not a new phenomenon and that a similar rise was observed right after the Ice Age, compared to those levels, the current rise is relatively smaller and does not prove the theories of global warming on account of human activities. Rebuttal: It is true that the sea-levels have shown a drastic rise ever since the Ice Age but the rise had stopped and have been relatively steadier since the past 1800 years now. Furthermore, the rise in sea-levels picked momentum during the 20th century, right after the advent of industrialization, when a similar and simultaneous rise in carbon dioxide levels was observed and recorded. It is also claimed that the 20th century saw about 1.7 mm rise annually corresponding with the rise in sea-levels during the same period. On the basis of available data it is also being predicted that such a rise in sea-levels has no signs of slowing down, and will continue to rise during the twenty first century as well, as the ice-caps in the Arctic region continue to melt due to rising global temperatures (Dawson, Spannagle, 2009; Soloman, 2007). Thus, on the basis of the above mentioned facts, data and discussions, the theories put forward by skeptics questioning the validity and credibility of global warming as a phenomenon, and the relevant facts presented to rebut the claims made, it can be stated with fair accuracy that global warming is not a myth and is fairly real. Conclusion: The skeptics may claim that the facts available in support of global warming, are merely theories and hold no relevance, and that it is a human-caused / supported warming. But there are ample studies and scientific evidence which dismiss such skeptical perspectives with credible empirical studies stating the contrary. Science is one field which keeps changing constantly and is never stagnant. Thus, it is highly likely to come across opposing and contradictory view points, dismissing the studies presented and challenging its validity. These disagreements and challenges, in fact, play a major role in further strengthening the arguments in favor of a phenomenon, in this case, global warming and hence are extremely crucial for the development of the study in question. It might be true that there are still a large amount of skeptics who disapprove the studies supporting global warming, or disapprove the theories describing the scope and extent of damage caused; or even the likely after effects. But there is a consensus even among the skeptics, that the earth is indeed getting warmer, especially when compared to the past decades; and there has been an increase in the carbon-dioxide levels as well as the sea-levels; although the co-relation between the two is still largely challenged. However, it is interesting to note that the fact that the rise in carbon dioxide levels leads to warming of the planet cannot be and is not dismissed, even by the skeptics. These points mentioned above offer a substantial base to claim with fair accuracy and conviction that global warming is not a man-made crisis but a crisis which has arisen due to human activities, and is indeed very much real. References: Allaby, M., (2002). Basics of environmental science Routledge Publication Braasch, G., McKibben, B., (2009). Earth under fire: how global warming is changing the world, University of California Press Casper, J. K., (2009). Climate management, Infobase Publishing Dawson, B., Spannagle, M., (2009). The complete guide to climate change, Taylor & Francis Publication, Pp. 333 - 340 Johansen, B. E., (2009). The encyclopedia of global warming science and technology, Vol. 1, ABC-CLIO, Pp. 573 - 577 Kirwan, A. D., (2000). Mother nature's two laws: ringmasters for circus earth: lessons on entropy, energy, critical thinking, and practice of science, World Scientific Leroux, M., (2005). Global warming: myth or reality: the erring ways of climatology, Springer Publication NRC, (2010). Advancing the science of climate change: America's Climate Choices, Panel on Advancing the science of climate change, National Research council, National Academies Press, Pp. 155 - 160 McKibben, B., Braasch, G., (2009). Earth under fire, University of California Press, Pp. 72-75 Miller, G. T., (2007). Living in the environment, Cengage Learning, Pp. 473 - 475 Pickering, K. T., Owen, L. A., (1997). An introduction to global environmental issues, Routledge Publication. Rapp, D., (2008). Assessing climate change: temperatures, solar radiation, and heat balance Springer Publication, Pp. 108 - 110 Robinson, M., (2007). America debates global warming: crisis or myth? The Rosen Publishing Group Singer, S. F., Avery, D. T., (2007). Unstoppable global warming: every 1500 years, Rowman & Littlefield Publication Solomon, S., (2007). Climate change 2007: the physical science basis - contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, Pp. 409 - 415 Read More