Did you ever wonder whether Global Warming is fact or fiction?

 

            By David McClelland

 

            Let's see what we know for sure and what is speculation. First, what do we know?  Global Warming is defined as the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans over time and its projected continuation.

 

            According to the 2007 Fourth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global surface temperature increased 0.74 degrees centigrade, + or – 0.18 degrees, during the last 100 years. Another source claimed a 1.4 degree increase in temperatures has taken place since 1880. Either way, the increase in global temperatures has been very small. Why then is there so much concern?

It appears to be just that we know that the increase was caused by the increase in greenhouse gases which result from human activity like the burning of fossil fuel and deforestation. The increases in global temperature will cause sea levels to rise and change the amount and pattern of precipitation. Warming is expected to be greatest at the Artic and would cause the continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost and sea life. Even a one degree increase is seen by many as a big deal especially when the temperatures are expected to continue to increase.

Contributing factors include a world population of 6,824,455,499 (June 1, 2010) and motor vehicles totaling 850,000,000 world-wide. About 75% of the annual increase in carbon dioxide is due to the burning of fossil fuels. It is not likely that the increases of either the population or of the number of vehicles will slow, let alone reverse themselves.

Although Global Warming appears to be increasing at a very slow rate, it does appear to be a fact. Activists on this issue warn that we should take the necessary actions to deal with this issue while there is time to do so. Where do you stand on this issue?