Summer 2013 |
NCRWA.COM
19
There are also theories that involve cyclical changes in the intensity
of solar radiation, with more and less radiation, that is reflected in ice
ages and interglacial periods. The sun does indeed have fluctuation in
radiation as evidenced by the 11-year sun spot cycle. Other theories of
climate change and mass extinctions involve meteor impacts, volcanic
activity, and changes in ocean flow patterns. When the global ice
caps on Mars recede, as was in the news recently, this is evidence of
solar radiation affecting climate not only on earth, but over the entire
solar system.
The latest theory on Global Warming involves my diesel pickup truck.
Scientists are alarmed that sea levels and earth temperatures are rising,
and believe that humans are causing it by burning fossil fuel. East
Anglia University, the leading authority on Global Warming, had an
email scandal that revealed the doctoring of temperature records to
reflect the political thought of the day. Keep in mind that no government
agency is going to fund university projects that reject or refute
Global Warming.
Is human activity causing Global Warming? Humans have certainly
pumped a considerable amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere
since the industrial revolution (raised ambient levels by about 100 parts
per million). But there is a problem with using CO
2
levels to predict
what earth’s climate will do.
Many scientists believe CO
2
is a leading indicator of earth temperature,
and that by simply looking at current CO
2
levels, we can show that
earth’s temperature will rise (Al Gore’s “hockey-stick” graph).
However, many climatologists and paleo-climatologists believe that
CO
2
is a lagging indicator. This means that only after the earth has
warmed, will CO
2
levels increase. Ice core samples from the Arctic and
Antarctic show this to be a valid concept. Unfortunately, Earth’s carbon
cycle is little understood, and needs more study.
A recent Reuters news agency article titled “Climate scientists
struggle to explain warming slowdown,” puts Global Warming in a
new perspective. In the article, IPCC scientists are at a loss in trying
to explain how recorded global and sea surface temperatures have
decreased over the past twenty years. Instead of rethinking the validity
of man-made Global Warming, they are trying to find a reason that is
consistent with their narrative.
The earth is indeed getting warmer. Sea level is rising (look at the
Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds). And Earth just came out of an ice
age 10,000 short years ago. Mankind should certainly try to keep a
small carbon footprint, and we should all be good stewards of the
environment. But until someone can prove to me that my diesel pickup
is causing Global Warming, I’ll keep my ride. Dress warmly (or not),
and Good Day.
