Global Warming Questions

by Shauna
(Westminster, Colorado USA)

I Have a list of global warming questions:

1. What are your thoughts on global warming? Does it exist? How serious do you think it is?

2. What signs is the weather showing that could mean that our climate is changing?

3. What do you think have been the big factors that have raised red flags to scientists that this is becoming a potentially large problem?

4. How are scientists researching the issue?

5. How can people help stop/change the problem?

6. What could possibly happen to Earth’s climate in the future if nothing changes?

7. Do you think people are in denial about global warming? Why?

8. What do you think are some common misconceptions about global warming?


Barry's Response

Loaded questions.

1. Global warming - is it serious? Yes, it can be. The biggest danger is that no one knows what the ramifications will be, even though we think we know a few things. Some of these things you've probably heard before. The rising of sea-levels and flooding of coastal cities are the most well-known effects of climate change. Yes, it's expensive. It's probably permanent. Is it sudden? No, not like Hurricane Katrina. Humanity has a few decades to relocate. Buy that ocean front property in Arizona like the song says.

2. Evidence. Anything interesting can be attributed to global warming. They might even be right. Katrina, for instance, but not the tsunamis of the 21st century. Who knows for sure who's right? It's all about norms and deviations. These things happen all the time and will continue to do so. These deviations seem to be getting bigger and bigger. We're better at witnessing, right?

3. Political power and dollars: We need to change how we produce and consume energy to combat global warming. The burning of fossil fuels causes the planet to warm up, which can have serious economic and political repercussions. Governments, corporations, and individuals must work together to solve this problem. The government has an important role to play in stopping global warming, but some industries use and produce fossil fuels that make it difficult. As a result, governments may not reduce greenhouse gas emissions as effectively as they should. Corporations need to take responsibility for their actions and contribute to solutions. Global warming is an important responsibility for companies. Some companies have already taken steps to reduce their carbon emissions, but powerful industries might refuse to change. By being mindful of their consumption habits and speaking up, everyone can help. A better future is possible with enough effort.

4. Research - For decades, we've been tracking it silently. Temperatures can be measured at most points and elevations. Over the last century, they've seen gradual but steady changes. Other scientific evidence is used to compare these changes to past centuries, millennia, eons, etc. We've also tracked atmospheric carbon dioxide (and other greenhouse gases) concentrations. The internet is full of data. Wikipedia has good detailed overviews. Start here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming

5. If you ask how people can stop it, maybe you're assuming they caused it. They can't have anything to do with it. Some think we're no match for the forces of nature - God's forces, if you don't mind. Geological cycles and astronomical cycles also affect our climate (see https://www.stuffintheair.com/Blowin_in_the_Wind-milankovitch-cycles-climate.html ).

6. Earth wouldn't be earth if nothing changed. Our ecosystem thrives on dynamic nature, so we'd all die. Who knows what will happen if anthropogenic climate change continues (maybe that's what you're asking for)? Maybe nothing, other than the changes already happening. It might be a lot. We don't want to find out. There doesn't seem to be much choice. No matter what activists say, we're headed that way, whether it's on the back of "human progress." See how well they listen if they march around an active volcano with their "stop global warming" signs.

7. Why denial? - Many people are in denial about it. Other people know a lot about it. Many people claim to know a lot but don't know anything. What's the difference?

8. MisInformation examples: It's not happening. It won't be as bad as it actually will. It'll be worse than it actually is. We know what's going to happen. We can do something about it. We can't do anything about it. It's hopeless.

That's it! There was almost no way I could get through this without belittling Al Gore.



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