Global Warming – Myth Or Fact?

Demolishes some of the major accusations that global warming is a myth

Dictionary defines a “myth” as
”a popular belief or tradition that has grown up around something or someone’, or
“an unfounded or false notion”, or
“a person or thing having only an imaginary or unverifiable existence”

 When scientific investigation carried out over a number of years at varied and diverse locations by international scientists and researchers point to the same conclusion, one accepts that conclusion not necessarily as an established fact but at least as a strong logical probability; but one surely cannot dismiss it as a myth!

 In criminal law we ask for proof “beyond reasonable doubt” to accept a condemnation; but can one unreasonable doubt, a doubt born out of a desire not to face an unpleasant truth  brand  all the proofs as  myth?

 The accusations have been flying thick and fast at a statement issued by the United States National Academy of Science along with 10 other National Academies of Science by calling it a myth. What is the basis for that accusation?  None!

 Let us examine the major accusations of global warming being a myth

Sr. no. Accusation / Fact Details
1 Accusation: The science of global warming is too uncertain to act on

 Fact: There is no “ science of global warming”
The most respected scientists and scientific bodies have stated quite unequivocally that global warming is a fact and it is caused by burning fossil fuel and by deforestation.
The only point on which differences exist is how much and how soon it will hit us.

2 Accusation: Even if global warming is a problem, addressing it will hurt American industry and workers.

 Fact: 1. A well designed emission trading program can bring down costs of compliance. US Acid Rain program reduced SO2 emissions by over 30 % at a fraction of the cost initially estimated.
2. Fighting global warming will neither cripple economy nor will it cost thousands of jobs. Many companies who are already reducing their emissions find that they are saving money. An independent MIT study has also confirmed this.

3 Accusation: Water vapor is the most important, abundant greenhouse gas. So if we’re going to control a greenhouse gas, why don’t we control it instead of carbon dioxide (CO2)?

  Fact: A level of water vapor in atmosphere is determined by temperature; it cannot be controlled directly by people.
No doubt water vapor traps more radiation than CO2; to control global warming we must focus on reducing CO2 which will reduce warming bringing down water vapor also.
4 Accusation: Global warming is just part of a natural cycle. The Arctic has warmed up in the past.

 Fact: The global warming we are experiencing is not natural. People are causing it. Scientific studies have ruled out volcanic eruptions, sunlight, cosmic rays, etc as possibilities.
Natural concentrations of CO2 have varied from 180 to 300 parts per million (ppm), today it is at 380 ppm - 25% more than the highest natural levels reached in past 650,000 years.
5 Accusation: Accurate weather predictions a few days in advance are hard to come by. Why on earth should we have confidence in climate projections decades from now?
 Fact: Climate and weather are different; their predictions are also fundamentally different.
Since climate is an expression of average conditions over a longer time span, it is possible to study trends. That is why generally weather forecasts are more difficult than climate predictions.