Global Warming (Climate change)... Just another political manipulation?

The earth is warming, fact. Whats causing it is up for debate, but to ignore the fact that the earth is warmer is wrong.

The earth is warming, fact. Whats causing it is up for debate, but to ignore the fact that the earth is warmer is wrong.

Agreed. And that climate is changing in general, even in areas that are cooler.

Climate has constantly changed throughout Earth's history. Humans are so new that we are just noticing.

Climate has constantly changed throughout Earth's history. Humans are so new that we are just noticing.

Actually it's happening faster than it has happened in millennia. The Earth has experienced rapid climate change in the past, yes, and generally it's been tied to massive extinctions, such are happening now. Humans are at risk now too.

The earth is warming, fact. Whats causing it is up for debate, but to ignore the fact that the earth is warmer is wrong.

and it will cool again too. same thing it's been doing for the past 400,000 years( and probably much longer)

blaming it on humans is ridiculous and manipulative; it's just a push for Cap 'n Trade, which benefits the oil companies and politicians mostly.

Actually it's happening faster than it has happened in millennia. The Earth has experienced rapid climate change in the past, yes, and generally it's been tied to massive extinctions, such are happening now. Humans are at risk now too.

but it still fits the historical cycle, just because we are now aware of it doesn't mean it's our fault.

Actually it's happening faster than it has happened in millennia. The Earth has experienced rapid climate change in the past, yes, and generally it's been tied to massive extinctions, such are happening now. Humans are at risk now too.

but it still fits the historical cycle, just because we are now aware of it doesn't mean it's our fault.

Correct. But there is an argument that we contribute. 6 billion humans generate a lot of energy.

And is your argument that since we don't contribute, we should do nothing? Because I view that as the height of irresponsibility as a creature and steward of this planet.

Btw a more impartial website than "skeptical science" would help your argument. 😉 I ignore all extremist sites, regardless of their position (pro or con).

Actually it's happening faster than it has happened in millennia. The Earth has experienced rapid climate change in the past, yes, and generally it's been tied to massive extinctions, such are happening now. Humans are at risk now too.

but it still fits the historical cycle, just because we are now aware of it doesn't mean it's our fault.

Correct. But there is an argument that we contribute. 6 billion humans generate a lot of energy.

And is your argument that since we don't contribute, we should do nothing? Because I view that as the height of irresponsibility as a creature and steward of this planet.

Btw a more impartial website than "skeptical science" would help your argument. 😉 I ignore all extremist sites, regardless of their position (pro or con).

Wait... wait... so since this is a NATURAL cycle, and it's been happening for probably billions of years, you think NOT doing something to change it is irresponsible?

umm... surely you meant to say that in a different way, I mean.. as a steward of this planet; NO, we absolutely should NOT transform it to fit our desires and change it's natural cycles, we already mess with it enough as it is...

I googled Milankovitch Cycles 400000 and went to "images" to get it... I didn't even pay attention to where it came from since it's the same graph no matter the source... ( knowing about the milankovitch cycle is kinda par for the course here....)

I don't think milankovitch was pro or con or extreme, just a guy studying ice cores....

here's my search result, pick the same graph from anywhere you want 😛
https://www.google.com/search?q=Milankovitch+Cycles+400000&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=01V5UuSCNIapsATr84CYDw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1440&bih=775

Actually it's happening faster than it has happened in millennia. The Earth has experienced rapid climate change in the past, yes, and generally it's been tied to massive extinctions, such are happening now. Humans are at risk now too.

but it still fits the historical cycle, just because we are now aware of it doesn't mean it's our fault.

Correct. But there is an argument that we contribute. 6 billion humans generate a lot of energy.

And is your argument that since we don't contribute, we should do nothing? Because I view that as the height of irresponsibility as a creature and steward of this planet.

Btw a more impartial website than "skeptical science" would help your argument. 😉 I ignore all extremist sites, regardless of their position (pro or con).

Wait... wait... so since this is a NATURAL cycle, and it's been happening for probably billions of years, you think NOT doing something to change it is irresponsible?

umm... surely you meant to say that in a different way, I mean.. as a steward of this planet; NO, we absolutely should NOT transform it to fit our desires and change it's natural cycles, we already mess with it enough as it is...

I googled Milankovitch Cycles 400000 and went to "images" to get it... I didn't even pay attention to where it came from since it's the same graph no matter the source... ( knowing about the milankovitch cycle is kinda par for the course here....)

I don't think milankovitch was pro or con or extreme, just a guy studying ice cores....

here's my search result, pick the same graph from anywhere you want 😛
https://www.google.com/search?q=Milankovitch+Cycles+400000&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=01V5UuSCNIapsATr84CYDw&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAQ&biw=1440&bih=775

I'm not talking about changing the cycles of the planet. I'm talking about responsibly reducing our impact and wastefulness, and our destructive force on other species and our oceans. Really, we can kill this planet just fine on our own without climate change.

You should read "State of Fear".
http://www.amazon.com/State-Fear-Michael-Crichton-ebook/dp/B000FC2NQW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1383698414&sr=1-1&keywords=state+of+fear

https://www.google.com/search?q=climate+change+facts&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7

Global Warming 101 with National Geographic
Oct 9, 2013 by Katherine A. Thichava

Want to learn more about the phenomenon known as global warming? This video produced by National Geographic helps explain the origins of the theory and why a warmer Earth could have profound impacts on the planet.

Record high summers combined with melting polar ice has given some scientists cause for concern for the planet, predicting more severe weather and decreasing rainfall.

Click to watch the video and learn what you can do to lessen your impact on the environment.

http://therainforestsite.greatergood.com/clickToGive/trs/article/Global-Warming-101-with-National-Geographic669?origin=ERR_110613_Video_s

I'm not talking about changing the cycles of the planet. I'm talking about responsibly reducing our impact and wastefulness, and our destructive force on other species and our oceans. Really, we can kill this planet just fine on our own without climate change.

no, we can cause localized damage that should definitely be avoided; we CANNOT KILL THIS PLANET, that is a very very arrogant statement.

did you know the entire population of the earth could fit in Texas (7 billion+)? we aren't the big badasses we think we are, we don't have a very significant impact on earth, I think people need to give up their cars for a week and walk to their destinations to be reminded of how massive this planet is, and how little we actually impact it.

but, I agree with you somewhat, we should reduce our impact on the planet and being wasteful is just inefficient, that should definitely stop as well, our efforts are better spent on re-using what we already have.

I'm not talking about changing the cycles of the planet. I'm talking about responsibly reducing our impact and wastefulness, and our destructive force on other species and our oceans. Really, we can kill this planet just fine on our own without climate change.

no, we can cause localized damage that should definitely be avoided; we CANNOT KILL THIS PLANET, that is a very very arrogant statement.

did you know the entire population of the earth could fit in Texas (7 billion+)? we aren't the big badasses we think we are, we don't have a very significant impact on earth, I think people need to give up their cars for a week and walk to their destinations to be reminded of how massive this planet is, and how little we actually impact it.

but, I agree with you somewhat, we should reduce our impact on the planet and being wasteful is just inefficient, that should definitely stop as well, our efforts are better spent on re-using what we already have.

We can render it useless for our habitation. It is true the Earth will keep turning with or without us, and all the life we destroy.

Everyone fitting in Texas is shoulder to shoulder. That's a lot of people, generating a lot of heat simply by existing - and consuming a lot of resources. Try traveling a LOT more and find an area unaffected by humans. Very little remains. The biological concept of a "carrying capacity" fits here - the Earth has a limited carrying capacity for humans. It is simply a fact - I could care less about the politics of global warming.

I find your view very apathetic, sorry. We will destroy the nature we love thanks to attitudes like that. And then we will destroy ourselves. And perhaps cockroaches can evolve into the next apex species.

We can render it useless for our habitation. It is true the Earth will keep turning with or without us, and all the life we destroy.

Everyone fitting in Texas is shoulder to shoulder. That's a lot of people. Try traveling a LOT more and find an area unaffected by humans. Very little remains.

I find your view very apathetic, sorry. We will destroy the nature we love thanks to attitudes like that. And then we will destroy ourselves. And perhaps cockroaches can evoke into the next apex species.

Yep, you've got me pegged julie! I'm glad I so closely fit into your stereotype view point just because I disagree with a few of your statements..

well I guess you're human, so that's no real surprise, way to be prejudice (Pre Judge).

I've been all over the northern hemisphere, there's not a region I haven't spent time in (excluding the arctic, though I did live in alaska and I have been "technically" to the arctic.). my main mode of transportation is a fully electric vehicle (drive it to work every day etc..), I grow some of my own food and hope to grow almost all of it soon & my wife and I have started a business that centers around horse rescue (something this island needs a bit of). Just because I don't share your extremist view point doesn't mean I am unaware of the impact humanity can make / is making on the planet. I've taken more steps than most people I know to back up my ideals and understanding of this world & though I can always do better, I think I'm on a good start.

I find your extremist view off putting and narrow minded, it's idealists like you (seem to be) that will further divide the population into two camps (as you have put me into a "camp" already); all this causes is more bickering and judgement (judge not lest ye be judged!) and no real change.

I'm a realist, & think more people should be real. Read my statements again, realize I am trying to back AWAY from polarization an duality (not everything is black, or white) and perhaps try that with out pre judging me; I mean since fundamentally we are agreeing, I don't see why you had to pull out the claws and fangs....

We can render it useless for our habitation. It is true the Earth will keep turning with or without us, and all the life we destroy.

Everyone fitting in Texas is shoulder to shoulder. That's a lot of people. Try traveling a LOT more and find an area unaffected by humans. Very little remains.

I find your view very apathetic, sorry. We will destroy the nature we love thanks to attitudes like that. And then we will destroy ourselves. And perhaps cockroaches can evoke into the next apex species.

Yep, you've got me pegged julie! I'm glad I so closely fit into your stereotype view point just because I disagree with a few of your statements..

well I guess you're human, so that's no real surprise, way to be prejudice (Pre Judge).

I've been all over the northern hemisphere, there's not a region I haven't spent time in (excluding the arctic, though I did live in alaska and I have been "technically" to the arctic.). my main mode of transportation is a fully electric vehicle (drive it to work every day etc..), I grow some of my own food and hope to grow almost all of it soon & my wife and I have started a business that centers around horse rescue (something this island needs a bit of). Just because I don't share your extremist view point doesn't mean I am unaware of the impact humanity can make / is making on the planet. I've taken more steps than most people I know to back up my ideals and understanding of this world & though I can always do better, I think I'm on a good start.

I find your extremist view off putting and narrow minded, it's idealists like you (seem to be) that will further divide the population into two camps (as you have put me into a "camp" already); all this causes is more bickering and judgement (judge not lest ye be judged!) and no real change.

I'm a realist, & think more people should be real. Read my statements again, realize I am trying to back AWAY from polarization an duality (not everything is black, or white) and perhaps try that with out pre judging me; I mean since fundamentally we are agreeing, I don't see why you had to pull out the claws and fangs....

And this is why I always give up on online discussion forums - without tone of voice and facial cues and human interaction it is always possible to mis-read other people, which we both have done to each other. These conversations and discussion are best had face-to-face, preferably over a cold beverage, IMHO. I think online arguments are generally a waste of time because people, being human, misunderstand each other enough face-to-face, let alone behind a screen. It also allows people to be more aggressive than they might be in real life with other people. Hence, why I generally try to have discussions in this forum periodically and then give up, such as now. 😉

And this is why I always give up on online discussion forums - without tone of voice and facial cues and human interaction it is always possible to mis-read other people, which we both have done to each other. These conversations and discussion are best had face-to-face, preferably over a cold beverage, IMHO. I think online arguments are generally a waste of time because people, being human, misunderstand each other enough face-to-face, let alone behind a screen. It also allows people to be more aggressive than they might be in real life with other people. Hence, why I generally try to have discussions in this forum periodically and then give up, such as now. 😉

ahh now, don't give up.. sorry I replied a bit aggressively.

I do agree with you, text is one of the worst forms of communication, it allows projection (of emotion, connotation, etc due to lack of body language / tone and all that compromises the 80% of communication that is non-verbal).

if nothing else you caused me to look back and my posts and see how they were worded and taken incorrectly, thanks for that; I have little to no emotional investment in online text, so "no harm no foul" 😉

I don't feel less for this interaction, hopefully you feel similar.

We can render it useless for our habitation. It is true the Earth will keep turning with or without us, and all the life we destroy.

Everyone fitting in Texas is shoulder to shoulder. That's a lot of people. Try traveling a LOT more and find an area unaffected by humans. Very little remains.

I find your view very apathetic, sorry. We will destroy the nature we love thanks to attitudes like that. And then we will destroy ourselves. And perhaps cockroaches can evoke into the next apex species.

Yep, you've got me pegged julie! I'm glad I so closely fit into your stereotype view point just because I disagree with a few of your statements..

well I guess you're human, so that's no real surprise, way to be prejudice (Pre Judge).

I've been all over the northern hemisphere, there's not a region I haven't spent time in (excluding the arctic, though I did live in alaska and I have been "technically" to the arctic.). my main mode of transportation is a fully electric vehicle (drive it to work every day etc..), I grow some of my own food and hope to grow almost all of it soon & my wife and I have started a business that centers around horse rescue (something this island needs a bit of). Just because I don't share your extremist view point doesn't mean I am unaware of the impact humanity can make / is making on the planet. I've taken more steps than most people I know to back up my ideals and understanding of this world & though I can always do better, I think I'm on a good start.

I find your extremist view off putting and narrow minded, it's idealists like you (seem to be) that will further divide the population into two camps (as you have put me into a "camp" already); all this causes is more bickering and judgement (judge not lest ye be judged!) and no real change.

I'm a realist, & think more people should be real. Read my statements again, realize I am trying to back AWAY from polarization an duality (not everything is black, or white) and perhaps try that with out pre judging me; I mean since fundamentally we are agreeing, I don't see why you had to pull out the claws and fangs....

And this is why I always give up on online discussion forums - without tone of voice and facial cues and human interaction it is always possible to mis-read other people, which we both have done to each other. These conversations and discussion are best had face-to-face, preferably over a cold beverage, IMHO. I think online arguments are generally a waste of time because people, being human, misunderstand each other enough face-to-face, let alone behind a screen. It also allows people to be more aggressive than they might be in real life with other people. Hence, why I generally try to have discussions in this forum periodically and then give up, such as now. 😉

Here here, I say let the whole thing melt and then we can go sailing around the world without having to run a ground on one of those pesky islands. So get the boat ready, a pitcher of margarita's, put on some Jazz and lets party hearty.

There's no doubt the earth has gone through and continues to go through climate changes. To think that humans over the last 100 years or so have not contributed or even triggered a premature climate change is sheer ignorance. I read some where if we had continued burning coal at the rate we were in the late 1800's, the planet would have been in nuclear winter by the end of the 19th century.

On the sitcom All in The Family, Mike (meathead) stated to Gloria his wife that the hairspray she's using is going to damage the atmosphere. That was late 60's early 70's. That's one heck of a conspiracy.

Take a look at Super typhoon Haiyan that going to impact the Philippines with 190 mph winds and a barometric pressure of 905.
But gee, no climate change here.

But gee, no climate change here.

Yeah... way to completely miss the point of the thread 😛

Article:

In case you missed the IPCC report (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change -– if you must know), here’s a quick translation of a few major findings (below in bold) – just in time for the opening of the annual global climate negotiations (UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) in Warsaw, Poland next week.

1. “Warming in the climate system is unequivocal.” In other words, there is no doubt that the Earth is warming. No doubt. For anyone who has sought a second medical opinion, or asked two golf pros, chefs or computer technicians for advice on a complex problem, you may have noticed that “experts” rarely agree unanimously on anything. The fact that 1500 of the foremost climate scientists agree without a doubt tells you how strong the evidence is. You should be skeptical of news coverage that implies there is any doubt about whether climate change is real.

2. “Many changes have been observed… that are unprecedented over decades to millennia.” So, we are in uncharted territory. Our cities, agricultural activities, and recreational patterns are all built around predictable and relatively stable climates which are now undergoing changes we’ve never seen before –- in human history. It’s time to be prepared for the out-of-the-ordinary, from wacky weather and monster storms to extreme heat and floods.

3. Human influence on the climate system is clear. Yes, human beings have, in fact, accelerated the Earth’s warming and we are witnessing the results: warmer oceans, rising seas, melting glaciers. Be skeptical of those who question the human link: scientists have as much confidence in this connection as they do that smoking cigarettes causes cancer. The silver lining here is that we can also do something about it (see point 6).

4. Heat waves are very likely to occur more frequently and last longer. In fact, by 2100, global temperature is expected to be likely more than 2°C (or 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) hotter than 1900. Though this may not seem like much, one degree makes a difference between ice and water, or rain and snow. Everything –- from whether you get snow on your ski vacation to whether roads are simply wet or downright treacherous –- is impacted by that difference. And prolonged heat waves can be deadly, especially for the young and old.

5. As the Earth warms, we expect to see currently wet regions receiving more rainfall, and dry regions receiving less. Climate extremes are expected to vary by location. From Colorado to Colombia to China, we have seen disastrous flooding and havoc-wreaking droughts in the past few years that have caused massive crop failures, economic losses, and political instability. In our globally-connected economy, impacts like these –- even when far away –- can affect our grocery baskets, retirement savings, and national security.

6. Limiting climate change will require substantial and sustained reductions of greenhouse gas emissions. In other words, we need to stop causing the climate-changing carbon pollution that leads to global warming. That means limiting forest-clearing and the use of fossil fuels (coal, oil).

The good news is that ever-more options exist on this last front: electricity from renewable sources, plug-in cars, and more sustainable ranching can all help. And, if we apply human ingenuity to creating carbon-free solutions for powering our transportation, homes, and industries, I believe we will spawn new careers that help clean our air and sustain our quality of life while protecting the planet.

Sarene Marshall is a Senior Advisor for The Nature Conservancy, developing regional initiatives on Food Security, Water Security and Smart Infrastructure for the Latin America region. Opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Nature Conservancy.

Related
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Climate Change Could Endanger More Animals Than We Thought

watch the video in the first post of this thread... the IPcC is a complete joke, it's the INTERGOVERNMENTAL Pannel on climate change.

not inter-scientific, the governments write policy then the IPCC tries to prove the policy needs to be implemented through science based reports (if you can even call that science..)

its a complete sham.

Unraveling the New Climate Report

Posted by: Aimee Delach | 2 comments | Share:

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change recently released a 2,200 page report. Here’s what you need to know about it.
What Is This Report?
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is an international body of scientists established by the United Nations in 1988, with an official charge to assess the “risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation.” The group has put out four reports, the most recent of which was released in 2007 and was recognized with a Nobel Peace Prize. The fifth report will be completed next October, but the first of three “working groups” contributing to the final has completed its job of synthesizing the available information on the “Physical Science Basis.”

It was a monumental task: more than 200 authors and 600 additional experts waded through more than 9,200 publications in order to get a picture of changes in the climate system, the drivers of climate change, understanding recent (observed) changes, and future (projected) global and regional changes. The report itself is 2,200 pages, but most readers will be able to get the information they need from the 36-page Summary for Policymakers, or the 129-page Technical Summary. For a really quick look, there is also a two-page Headline Statement.
What Did They Find?
Those 2200 pages boil down to a stark and simple message: “warming of the climate system is unequivocal” and “human influence on the climate system is clear.” That means that taking into account all of the different things that can impact Earth’s climate (solar cycles, volcanic eruptions, etc.), the climate has warmed more than can be explained except by our greenhouse gas emissions.

Here is where we stand today:
•Surface temperatures have risen (1.5°F) 0.85°C over the period from 1880 to 2012
•It is “likely” (meaning there is at least a 2 out of 3 chance) that 1983 to 2012 was the warmest 30-year period in the past 1400 years
•It is “very likely” (at least a 90% chance) that most land areas are experiencing more hot days and fewer cold days than in the 1950s
•Sea level has risen 7.5 inches since 1901
•The area of the Arctic covered by sea ice decreased at rate of 3.5 to 4.1 percent per decade since 1979, and ice sheets in Greenland, Antarctica, and most glaciers are shrinking.

Hurricane Sandy, as seen from space (© NASA)

Looking to the future, if we continue to release greenhouse gases at the rate we have been, we will be on the path to:
•A global average temperature increase of nearly 7°F (3.7°C) by 2080 to 2100, with seasonal and geographic differences much greater.
•2.5 feet of sea level rise by 2100
•A two-in-three chance of nearly ice-free Arctic Ocean in September before mid-century
•More warm spells, heat waves and heavy precipitation events are “likely” in the near term and “very likely” or “virtually certain” by the end of the century
•An increasing likelihood of more intense weather events like droughts and hurricanes, especially later in the century.

Since this first “working group” was only charged with looking at the climate science, they did not delve into what the impacts of these changes will be for people, wildlife and ecosystems. That will be the job of the next group, who will be issuing their report in spring. However, the implications of the findings to date, particularly for species that depend on ice, cool climates, or fragile coastal habitats, are as clear as they are grim. Our responsibility to both slow the rate of climate change and protect the natural world from the worst of its effects is indisputable.

Aimee Delach is Defenders’ Of Wildlife Senior Policy Analyst for Climate Adaptation
http://www.defendersblog.org/2013/10/unraveling-new-climate-report/