Essay on Climate Change

Media Hyped Warming?

Our planet, since its emergence, has gone through climate changes in a never-ending cycle. There’s not much debate about whether or not our climate changes naturally, since the facts are so prevalent. Instead the argument is over whether or not climate change is being sped up or triggered by the human race. The factors causing climate change have been discussed and looked at in many debates. While there truly isn’t a scientific consensus on climate change, there is historical and present day evidence to show climate change is mainly caused primarily by solar activity, probably not CO₂ emissions or greenhouse gasses.

Climate change is a phenomenon that has been happening since the beginning of the earth’s existence. Looking at the history of climate change gives better insight to what can be expected in the future along with probably causes for these temperature increase and decreases. Author Dennis Avery, in his article titled “Global Warming Benefits Life on Earth”, talks about how scientists in the past have noted a climate change or global warming during the Roman and Medieval periods. Evidence of past climate changes have been found in tree rings of the time period and have also been found in Arctic glaciers. The term global warming is used more often than climate change, though climate change is the more correct term to use. Global warming is a part of climate change, but regardless, the climate is always in a state of change. This change can cause warming in some parts of the world, while a slightly cooler temperature in other areas of the world.

On the whole, CO₂ is blamed for the climate change that scientist believe we are presently undergoing. Taking a look at the molar content per volume of the gases that make up our atmosphere gives a better view on the amount of CO₂ that is actually in our atmosphere. These numbers are always very slightly changing, but keep the relative ratio to each other. Our atmosphere is comprised of roughly 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.93% argon, 1% water vapor and 0.038% CO₂. “Most of the one-half-degree Centigrade of warming that has occurred in the last one-hundred years took place before 1940-before humanity put very much CO₂ into the air. Thus there is strong evidence that the two are unconnected,” wrote Dennis Avery in an article titled “The Effects of Global Warming Will Be Beneficial.” A paragraph in this article that was written in 2002, explains how researchers created a computer program to compute an accurate weather system that was a more accurate then its predecessors. This new model shows a mere 2 degree Centigrade rise in temperature that is projected for this next century. Two degrees Centigrade may sound like a lot, but compared to warming trends in history, it’s not.

In the same article, Avery talks about how between the time periods of 900 A.D. and 1300 A.D. there was a warming phenomena of 4 to 7 degrees Fahrenheit. Models trying to predict the climate change taking place in this twenty-first century are roughly the same as that 4 to 7 degree Fahrenheit rise in temperature during the 900 A.D. and 1300 A.D. time period. Humans were not able to produce as much CO₂ then as we are producing now, yet the climate changes are very similar. Therefore, many experts do not blame a warming climate change on CO₂ in the atmosphere, especially when the amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere is roughly a minuscule 0.038%.

Equally important to ruling out CO₂ as a major cause of climate change is how warmer temperatures have created and will create beneficial weather for life to grow and prosper. Fred Singer, author of the article “Global Warming Is not a Serious Environmental Threat”, touches on the benefits of a warmer climate change, “Agriculture will be aided because crops will grow faster and sturdier. There will be slightly warmer winters with no effect on summers.” “Natural Factors Cause Global Warming”, written by John Carlisle, has a paragraph within the article about how warmer temperatures brought prosperity in the past,

“Between 6500 and 3500 B.C., the temperature increased from 58° F to 62° F. This is the warmest the Earth has been during the Holocene (from present day, till the most recent 10000 year history), which is why scientists refer to the period as the Holocene maximum. Since the temperature of the Holocene maximum is close to what global warming models project for the Earth by 2100, how Mankind faired during the era is instructive. The most striking fact is that it was during this period that the Agricultural Revolution began in the Middle East, laying the foundation for civilization. Yet, Greenhouse theory proponents claim the planet will experience severe environmental distress if the climate is that warm again.” (Carlisle)

Another example of a climate change increasing in temperature being beneficial to the time is the Medieval Warm Period. The Medieval Warm Period was a time of prosperous growth. The slightly warmer temperatures were perfect for better crops, and more favorable farming conditions. This meant less time was spent on the farms to produce the food, while that extra time could be spent learning and making new inventions, and pushing the society forward. Relating to warming periods, Dennis Avery stated that, “Prosperity, fostered by the abundant crops and lower death rates, stimulated a huge outpouring of human creativity-in engineering, trade, architecture, religion, art, and practical invention.

The media has a huge influence on the popular population opinion, and is always one of the first to talk about the current global warming issue. From 1895 until the mid 1920’s, the media spoke of an up and coming ice age. Then since the 1930’s up until late 1950’s the media changed their view and talked about an impending global warming. James M. Inhofe spoke about the media’s changing views by saying this in his article “Global Warming Is Media-Hyped Hysteria”, “This makes modern global warming the fourth estate’s fourth attempt to promote opposing climate change fears during the last 100 years.” The media as a whole has changed its opinion about the climate changes over the past 100 years a lot, which has many experts on the topic denouncing the media given opinion.

Many experts and scientists give the idea that climate change is natural. They argue that it is natural because our climate’s temperature depends on the solar activity, sun spot activity, and the strength of the sun’s magnetic field. Quoting Robert Royal in his article “Global Warming May Not Be Caused by Human Activity,” he says,

“Then, there is 1816-the Year Without a Summer- still not entirely understood, but partly due to what scientists call the Dalton Minimum, a low cycle of solar magnetic activity, actually one of several in the period known as the Little ice Age…”

Natural warming and cooling of the earth has occurred in the past before any human related activities put CO₂ into the atmosphere. “First, much of the warming occurred before 1940-before 80 percent of the CO₂ from human activities was added to the air,” said Sallie Baliunas, author of the article “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Need Not Be Reduced.”

On the other hand, the burning of fossil fuels to create certain gases such as CO₂ and methane are proven to insulate heat, not letting it escape the earth’s atmosphere. Union of Concerned Scientists wrote an article entitled “The Theory of Global Warming Is Scientifically Credible,” and in the article they had this to say,

“For one thing, it is quit clear that certain gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, play a crucial role in determining the earth’s climate by preventing heat from escaping the atmosphere. Researchers have also been able to document that the increased concentration of such gases in the atmosphere results from human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation and land degradation, cattle ranching, and rice farming.”

They further go on to say that, “The current best estimate is that a doubling of carbon dioxide concentrations from preindustrial levels will cause temperatures to rise between 1.8 and 6.3 degrees Fahrenheit.”

In addition to the gases that work like insulation, keeping heat within our atmosphere, there are many scientists concerned with health situations that may be caused by a climate change. Some parts of the world may experience long droughts while other areas might experience massive rain storms. No matter what the climate change brings, health is a topic looked closely by the major experts on this topic. Bruce Agnew quotes an environmental health expert, Dr. Carlos Corvalan, in his article “The Potential Effects of Global Warming on Human Health,” “But several major conclusions are clear…’We are also concerned that the health impacts of global warming will strike hardest at developing nations, particularly the poorest.’” Bruce Agnew believes that with climate change will be a big threat to the health and safety of the human population.

Finally, climate change is being looked at as a threat to the national security of the United States. Peter Schwartz, author of “Global Warming Poses a Looming Threat to the Security of the United States,” has this to say on the subject, “Massive changes in weather and ocean current patterns caused by global warming will make the horrors of terrorist attacks, and even the world wars of the twentieth century pale in comparison.” Schwartz and other experts are concerned about how a climate change will impact the food supply, the human ability to maintain composure and adapt to the situation, along with being able to access energy sources and clean water. No one alive today has seen yet to see the climate change as much as some experts are predicting it will. Peter Schwartz continues in his article to say, “As a result, the implications for national security outlined in this report are only hypothetical. The actual impact would vary greatly depending on the nuances of the weather conditions, the adaptability of humanity, and decisions by policy makers.”

All in all, both sides of the topic of climate change have valid arguments. If a random person went out on the streets all around the country and asked every day run of the mill people which side they believed to be true, there wouldn’t be a clear consensus. There are still new ideas floating around that man scientists are playing with as to what may or may not cause this phenomenon. As new technology emerges, and people are better able to understand the climate of the past, there will be a more concise answer to this widely debated subject. It doesn’t matter what side one person may pick to be on for now, what is important is that climate change has been documented many times in history, and no matter what stance you take on the issue, there is the possibility of a big change in the climate in the life time of especially the younger generation alive today. The human ability to adapt to different climates and different situations is an important aspect of life, especially while talking about going through a major climate change. Never get too dependent on the climate because with little or no warning, the climate may change very rapidly leaving some out in the cold.

works cited information...

Agnew, Bruce. “The Potential Effects of Global Warming on Human Health.” Contemporary Issues Companion: Global Warming. Shasta Gaughen. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Maricopa County Community college. 22 Sep. 2008

Avery, Dennis. “Global Warming Benefits Life on Earth.” Global Warming. Cynthia A. Bily. Opposing viewpoints. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Maricopa County Community College. 22 Sep. 2008

Avery, Dennis. “The Effects of Global Warming Will Be Beneficial.” Global Warming. James Haley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Maricopa County Community College. 22 Sep. 2008

Baliunas, Sallie. “Greenhouse Gas Emissions Need Not Be Reduced.” Global Warming Cynthia A. Bily. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2006. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Maricopa County Community College. 22 Sep. 2008

Carlise, John. “Natural Factors Cause Global Warming.” Global Warming. James Haley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Maricopa County Community College. 22 Sep. 2008

Inhofe, James. “Global Warming Is Media-Hyped Hysteria.” At Issue: Is Global Warming a Threat?.David M. Haugen. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Maricopa County Community College. 22 Sep. 2008

Schwartz, Peter and Doug Randall. “Global Warming Poses a Looming Threat to the Security of the United States.” Stuart A. Kallen. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Maricopa County Community College. 22 Sep. 2008

Singer, Fred. “Global Warming Is Not a Serious Environmental Threat.” William Dudley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2001. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Maricopa County Community College. 22 Sep. 2008

Royal, Robert. “Global Warming Activity May Not Be Caused by Human Activity.” David M. Haugen. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2007. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Maricopa County Community College. 22 Sep. 2008

Union of Concerned Scientists. “The Theory of Global Warming Is Scientifically Credible.” James Haley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Maricopa County Community College. 22 Sep. 2008