Writings--Is Global Warming a Threat?

Is Global Warming a Threat?

Let me approach this from another line of thought... ()o

I think I can sufficiently describe the alarmist view in this way:

1. The CO2 levels have been measured and are increasing.
2. The earth is "significantly" warmer than it was 100 years ago.
3. Mankind pollutes, and produces CO2

Therefore...
Mankind is causing global warming and if mankind does not significantly reduce the amount of CO2 emissions...
The earth will experience catastrophic climate change. Oceans will rise, cities will be flooded, other cities will be destroyed by storms, deserts will grow, other places will freeze so...

Oh noes, it's the end of the world as we know it! :-O

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Or, you can look at things from another way.

1. The CO2 levels have been measured and are increasing.
2. The earth is "significantly" warmer than it was 100 years ago.
3. Mankind pollutes, and produces CO2

On point three,
Realize that not only mankind pollutes, but all different kinds of creatures pollute. All creatures need energy, and need to eat to survive, and produce waste products as a result. This is basically the second law of thermodynamics at work. If not for plants, we would all die. Some types of pollution takes many years for the environment to clean up. On the other hand, CO2 fits into a nice planetary carbon cycle designed to store useful energy.

On point one,
It has been measured that CO2 levels have increased over the last 100 years or so. Here is another chart that shows the CO2 levels
http://www.carbonify.com/carbon-dioxide-levels.htm
Notice that while there is a general upward trend, notice that there is a periodic up-down cycle that occurs each year. The reason for this is plants! In summer, plants convert much CO2 and H2O into sugar and O2, in winter, not so much (for obvious reasons) There is more seasonal vegetation in the Northern Hemisphere, hence the cycle.

On point two,
There are many factors that affect the temperature of the earth, and the mechanics of these things are only partly understood. These things include the sun, the distance of the earth from the sun, the angle at which light from the sun hits the earth (e.g. causing summer and winter), the atmosphere, and heat given off from the earth's core. There may be others.

It has been scientifically observed that the climate of the earth has changed, and not just in the last 100 years. Scientists talk about "ice ages" which means they believe there were times when the earth was colder. Greenland is also known at one time to be a tropical wonderland. http://ku-prism.org/polarscientist/losttribes/Jan131897Boston.htm

So climate changes with or without mankind's help. And it is also not known what the planet's optimal temperature is.

However, it is a general tendency of the earth (and objects in general) to resist change.
If the earth's temperature becomes warmer, the earth will have a natural tendency to radiate more heat back into space. If CO2 levels increase, there is more available for plants to convert back into sugar and oxygen. This means that more energy that reaches the earth is stored as chemical energy and not as heat energy. If the ocean levels rise and start to expand, then the greater surface area of the ocean will encourage more evaporation, lowering the levels.

So, I'll conclude then:
Yes, there are changes to the earth's temperature and CO2 levels, whether caused by man or not. However, the world will adapt, and a more efficient carbon cycle may even increase the potential for life on the planet because of the better storage of fuel (sugars) needed for life. Concern for the environment would be better directed in other places that directly affect people rather than worry people about CO2 emissions (like dealing with smog or trash). :)

Written August 2007

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