GLOBAL WARMING: FACT OR FICTION

Global Warming: Fact or Fiction

Victoria Rock

AIU Online

BUSN300-1202A-15

GLOBAL WARMING: FACT OR FICTION

Abstract

This report will explore the topic of Global Warming in terms of fact or fiction surrounding the impact on the environment worldwide. The purpose of this report is to inform members of Congress about the two opposing viewpoints on this matter.

GLOBAL WARMING: FACT OR FICTION

I. Background of Global Warming

A. Impetus for the subject

1. Arguments for the topic

2. Arguments against the topic

II. Discussion

A. Melting Glaciers

B. Unpredictable Weather

III. Conclusion

GLOBAL WARMING: FACT OR FICTION

   I. Background of Global Warming

One of the most debated topics on Earth is the issue of climate change or Global Warming.

Global Warming fist became a concern in the 19th century when the industrialized revolution first

began. Scientist believe that the increase use of fossil fuels and deforestation has caused

greenhouse gases, which in turn has affected our climate temperatures. The National Oceanic

and Atmospheric Administration, a national climatic data center, and the National Environmental

Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) are central to answering some of the most

pressing global change questions that remain unresolved. A New York Times reporter said,

“Global warming has become perhaps the most complicated issue facing world leaders (Global

Warming & Climate Change, 2012)” The Natural Resources Defense Council says, “Climate

change is the single biggest environmental and humanitarian crisis of our time (Global Warming,

2012).” In short, are we spending too much time, energy, and resources is assuring ourselves

that global warming in deed an issue or is it merely a natural occurrence of nature in which we

have become more aware of due to our increase in knowledge?

A. Impetus for the subject

1. Arguments for the topic

The NOAA has said that the climate has warmed in some areas and cooled in

others and the global surface temperatures tied 2005 as the warmest on record.

(Global Warming: Frequently Asked Questions, 2012) Scientists feel that if we

don’t reduce the emissions from the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, the

rise in the average temperatures will have far reaching effects on weather patterns,

health issues, wildlife, glaciers, and sea levels. (The Consequences of Global

Warming, 2008)

GLOBAL WARMING: FACT OR FICTION

According to the EPA, the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation has caused the

concentration of heat tapping “greenhouse gases” to increase significantly and

these gases are preventing heat from escaping into space, much like the glass

panels of a greenhouse. If greenhouse gases continue to increase, climate models

predict that the average temperature at the Earth's surface could increase from 3.2

to 7.2ºF above 1990 levels by the end of this century. Scientists are certain that

human activities are changing the composition of the atmosphere, and that

increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases will change the planet's climate.

But they are not sure by how much it will change, at what rate it will change, or

what the exact effects will be. (The Consequences of Global Warming, 2008)

2. Arguments against the topic

The main argument of the issue of global warming is the lack of scientific

evidence linking the emissions of greenhouse gases as a result of human activity.

British television producer Martin Durkin produced, The Great Global Warming

Swindle (2007) in which he interviewed the scientist that was fist involved in the

research of global warming as well as economists, politicians, and many others

who are skeptical of the consensus of global warming. In this film evidence is

shown that the earth is just going through natural changes which it has done for

thousands of years and since the industrial revelation and increase in CO2 into the

atmosphere, temperatures have actual deceased instead of increase. (Durkin,

2007)

II. Discussion

GLOBAL WARMING: FACT OR FICTION

The debate on global warming being fact or fiction is in fact a debate on what exact factors

contribute to the acceleration of the melting glaciers and the unexplained changes in weather.

There is plenty of evidence to substantiate the fact that the glaciers are indeed melting more

rapidly than a hundred years ago, and in many areas over the world weather has become more

and more unpredictable and violent.

A. Melting Glaciers

The Uppsala Glacier in Argentina is more than a thousand years old and is showing

major evidence of melting while the Perito Moreno Glacier also in Argentina is

thriving in defiance of the global climate change. Experts at the University of Alaska

Fairbanks claim that due to increase in heavy precipitation in the area and strong cold

winds, the glacier seems to be getting reinforced. (World’s 7 Largest Glaciers by

Continent, 2009)

B. Unpredictable weather

Undeniably we have been experiencing extreme weather changes such as heat waves,

droughts and killer storms like Katina which wiped out New Orleans. Isn’t this fact

enough for us to look for solutions instead of laying blame on who or what is

responsible?

III. Conclusion

The real issue is the identification of the economic impact of these changes we are seeing

now due to global warming and what is yet to come. More importantly the need to

implement policy changes in the way we run our governments and do business, not to combat

global warming, but to ensure that our economies survive.

GLOBAL WARMING: FACT OR FICTION

Reference

Durkin, M. (2007). THE GREAT GLOBAL WARMING SWINDLE (2007). Retrieved from Movies Found Online: http://www.greatglobalwarmingswindle.co.uk/

Global Warming & Climate Change. (2012, March 12). Retrieved from New York Times: Science: http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/science/topics/globalwarming/index.html

Global Warming. (2012, March). Retrieved from Natural Resources Defence Council: http://www.nrdc.org/globalwarming/

Global Warming: Frequently Asked Questions. (2012). Retrieved from NOAA: National Climatic Data Center: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html

The Consequences of Global Warming. (2008, December 12). Retrieved from NRDC: Natual Resources Defense Council: http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/fcons.asp

World’s 7 Largest Glaciers by Continent. (2009, Aprial 17). Retrieved from Green Packs: http://www.greenpacks.org/2009/04/17/worlds-7-largest-glaciers-by-continent/