Global Warming: Alarmism or Fact?

The vast majority of climatologists say global warming is due to humans pumping huge amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. But a growing number in the scientific world argue that our planet’s recent climate changes have a natural and not human-induced cause. Here are their arguments. You decide.

On Mars

Scientists who argue that the planet’s recent climate changes are part of a natural cycle:

• Simultaneous warming on Earth and Mars is evidence that the current global warming on Earth is being caused by changes in the sun.

Scientists who argue that global warming is largely caused by humans believe:

• Climate changes on Mars can be explained primarily by small alterations in the planet’s orbit and tilt, not by changes in the sun.

On Solar Cycles

Scientists who argue that the planet’s recent climate changes are part of a natural cycle:

• A link has been found between changes in solar activity and the Earth’s climate. Changes in the sun’s heat output can account for almost all the climate changes on Earth and Mars.

Scientists who argue that global warming is largely caused by humans believe:

• The radiation output of the Sun does fluctuate over the course of its cycle, but the change is only about one-tenth of 1%—not substantial enough to affect Earth’s climate in dramatic ways, and not enough to be the sole culprit of our planet’s current warming trend.

Volcanic Contribution

Scientists who argue that the planet’s recent climate changes are part of a natural cycle:

• Geologists have detected CO2 emissions on the flanks of numerous volcanoes. The eruption of Mount Pinatubo in June of 1990 may have produced more effect on global warming than a decade of human pollutants as the airborne debris from the mountain interfered with the earth’s natural climate as a result of the plumes of ash, carbons and metals blown into the stratosphere. Under-sea volcanoes may be contributing to the increased temperature of the water as they have been found to emit high concentrations of sulfuric acid and liquid carbon dioxide.

Scientists who argue that global warming is largely caused by humans believe:

• In the past, the amount of carbon dioxide released by volcanoes helped to maintain the balance of gases in the earth’s atmosphere but this balance is being upset by the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation.

Arctic Melting

Scientists who argue that the planet’s recent climate changes are part of a natural cycle:

• The earth is recovering from a roughly 500-year period known as the Little Ice Age that began in 1400. The shrinking expanse of Arctic sea ice is also attributable to unusually sunny weather.

Scientists who argue that global warming is largely caused by humans believe:

• The dramatic loss of Arctic sea ice in recent years is the result of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions combined with natural cycles. Industry, transportation, and biomass burning in North America, Europe, and Asia are emitting trace gases and tiny airborne particles that are polluting the polar region, forming an “Arctic Haze” every winter and spring. Scientists suspect these pollutants are speeding up the polar melt.

One of the most vigorously debated topics on Earth is the issue of climate change. Regardless of your take on it, the fact remains that human activity has increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere – mostly carbon dioxide from combustion of coal, oil, and gas; plus a few other trace gases. We are polluting our oceans, air and land at frightening speeds, and if it hasn’t yet started to affect the delicate balance of our environment, we can safely assume that it eventually will.