Study confirms that humans cause polar warming
Many of us who are not running for public office have known this for a long time, but now we have official, scientific confirmation that human activity is responsible for warming at the Arctic and Antarctic poles. In a study that looked at 100 years of data from the Arctic and 50 years of data from the Antarctic, researchers compared current temperature trend results to four climate models. The models included one that measured natural climate variations, and others that measured human activities like increasing greenhouse gases.
The results showed clearly that increased temperatures are the consequence of human activity. The Arctic suffered the most, with temperatures rising 3.5 degrees Fahrenheit in 40 years. In 2007 and 2008 the sea ice levels were the lowest on record by more than 20%.
Warmer temperatures and melting ice mean higher sea levels, and no one is certain how quickly or how dramatically that will happen. So in other words, you might want to hold off on buying that ocean-front property until we get this climate change thing a little more under control.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-04-2008 @ 3:28PM
Ryan said...
I love reading your blog, because I appreciate an alternative point of view, and there are often things that I agree with.
I have to comment on this entry, though, because there is absolutely no way anybody can develop any sort of correlation with only one hundred years of data.
I'm a creationist, so I only believe the earth is 10,000 years old or younger, but even if you believe the alternative - that the earth is millions of years old - that makes the point even more clear. 100 years on a scale that encompasses millions of years doesn't even count as a blip on the radar.
Here is a link to an article regarding MIT scientists' belief that there is no correlation:
http://www.tgdaily.com/html_tmp/content-view-39973-113.html
I have a scenario to ponder. Scientists seem to think that the glaciers where I live - WI - receded about 10,000 years ago. The earth had to undergo a drastic warming - more drastic than what we're seeing now - with far fewer people on earth.
Solar activity and the chaotic nature of temperatures on the earth seem to be the culprit here - not people.
After saying all this, I do agree that humans live irresponsibly, and we do need to be more aware of how we treat the environment and use its resources. That's part of being a good steward of God's creation.
Ryan
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12-29-2008 @ 10:57PM
C Fetterman said...
The author has made an astounding leap of logic.
The study shows only that the models indicate human activity caused warming. Please keep in mind that models are only one tool in the science kit. Models can be made to give any result you wish, so they are probably the least reliable indicator of a cause and effect. Remember, models are used to forecast weather every day and tweaked constantly to improve results, yet they are only right a small fraction of the time beyond about 3 days. If the assumption is made that CO2 is causing warming, then that is the result you will get. Not very scientific, but it makes for good theatre.
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1-04-2009 @ 11:13PM
An American Idiot said...
No credible or REAL scientist would conclude based on 100 years worth of data that humans cause global warming. Such a conclution would be a HUGE leap of logic. I believe in global warming just not why it is happening. If you will visit my site you will find some graphs worth studying. Unfortunately the tone of your blog suggests you made your mind up on this topic years ago and the facts be damned.
True temps have risen but a longer-term view shows average global temperatures have climbed far higher in past eons. If the climate curve follows past curves we are in for average temperatures of 25 degrees C within a hundred thousand years +/- a few thousand. It's is what the Earth does and will do again. Check it out, http://anamericanidiot.wordpress.com/2008/12/29/a-lasting-footprint-on-the-middle-class/
Thanks for the alternative viewpoint but I just don't agree with the conclusions or the logic used to reach them.
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