How to Challenge People About Global Warming Theories

							How to Challenge People About Global Warming Theories
The scientific community has come to the consensus that Earth is warming
and humans are the cause of it. While Earth has always had natural cycles
of warming and cooling, the rate at which the current warming is
increasing is far beyond the normal variation. The Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change and all scientific societies, national and
international,[1]have accepted anthropogenic (human-caused) global
warming as fact. However, there are still those who argue that it simply
isn't happening or that humans cannot be the cause. Here are a few of the
more popular claims made by the skeptics and how to refute their claims.

<Steps
1Explain that scientists have measured increasing temperatures and
CO2levels in several ways if skeptics argue that the only real evidence
for globalwarmingis CO2inicecore samples where it's verycold. Research
with ice cores has revealed that the increases in temperature seen in the
last twenty years would be expected to take place over several thousand
years.[2]Scientists can measure historical levels of carbon dioxide (CO2)
and temperature over thousands of years from ice core samples, but this
is not the only way. The most obvious and direct way of measuring
temperature directly is with thermometers, but weather balloons and
satellites are also being used to monitor temperature. Atmospheric CO2is
measured with sensitive equipment as well as flask samples. CO2can also
be measured in seawater. The overall trend of CO2is that it has been
increasing since the Industrial Revolution. Coupled with historical data,
contemporary measurements, and computer models, CO2is shown to have a
strong correlation with recent warming.<
2Explain that human's recent contribution to the total levels of CO2has
offset the natural process and have caused the world to warm if skeptics
argue that the total human-produced CO2levels are small compared to
natural sources. It is estimated that if humans were not present, ninety-
five percent of CO2emissions would still occur. However, natural
emissions are balanced by other natural processes that absorb CO2, such
as plants and oceans. Additionally, CO2causes heating through the
greenhouse effect even in small quantities. CO2has a long atmospheric
lifetime. Once released, it can stay in the atmosphere for 200-450 years.
3Explain the importance of offsetting human contributions to the
atmospheric CO2levels as opposed to eliminating CO2if skeptics argue that
greenhouse gases are some of the most vital elements of this planet that
keep it in order. Oceans and volcanoes help produce the atmosphere on a
planet. CO2and other greenhouse gases are vital to our existence on this
planet. Explain that we do not want to remove all the CO2from the
atmosphere. It's estimated Earth would be 30¡ã C (54¡ã F) colder without
CO2, making Earth uninhabitable. However, too much CO2can harm the Earth.
4Explain that the wavelength at which solar radiation passes through the
atmosphere is not same as the infrared radiation Earth radiates back into
space if skeptics argue that the very notion of the greenhouse effect is
flawed because UV rays from the sun penetrating the CO2in the first place
ought to be able to escape. The greenhouse effect was discovered in
1824.[3]Greenhouse gases, such as CO2, hinder the process of allowing
radiation to reflect back into space. This is the greenhouse effect.
5Explain that troposphere temperatures have been rising.22 to .4¡ã F per
decade since 1979if skeptics argue that the troposphere, the area that
would be the hottest if greenhouse gases were causing climate change, is
relatively cool. The troposphere is warming, just like the land
temperatures.<

Tips
The urban heat island, the warmer area around urban center, has been
shown not to effect global temperature measurements. Globally,
temperatures are rising. Local temperatures, of course, fluctuate with
weather patterns. Additionally, if you look at the oceans, on which the
urban heat island has no effect, you can find similar increases in
temperature.
The reduction of ozone depletion is a result of our efforts to reduce our
CFC emissions and has virtually nothing to do with our CO2emissions.
By exhaling, humans are a natural source of CO2emissions. By burning
fossil fuels, humans are also an unnatural source of CO2emissions. The
burning of fossil fuels is considered the main cause of global warming.
The current level of CO2is approximately 383 parts per million. This is
the highest level in twenty million years.
The most abundant gases in our atmosphere are, in order of highest to
lowest, nitrogen, oxygen, argon, and then carbon dioxide.
Keep in mind that not every scientist believes in global warming, and
many are not even sure that man is responsible. You may not be able to
convince everyone, but highlight the importance of minimizing energy
use.Conserving energystops pollution, prevents resources from being
depleted, andsaves money!
Keep global warming and cooling patterns in a healthy perspective. The
temperature of the earth has never been stagnant. The planet has always
been either warming or cooling. Thus, at any given time, one may employ
an "if the trend continues" argument to suggest an impending global
climate catastrophe.
Be ready to tell your sources (e.g. IPCC).

<Warnings
Avoid partisan think tanks and other self-interested organizations (from
both sides). They usually misrepresent the science or cherry pick
information that may be inadequate or not relevant to the issue at hand.
Follow the money. Who is receiving money? How much money is being
received? From what source is the money coming? Do the research. Avoid
sources of information that have been corrupted by money.
Consider the messenger. Is the messenger giving a message of fear or hope
(both may suggest less than honest motives), one of sensationalist or of
a sound rational approach? Doom and gloom are not helpful. Condemnation
of those who don't agree and labeling them doesn't prove your position.
Ad hominem attacks (such as name calling) are the sure sign of a weak
argument!

Related wikiHows
How to Stop Greenhouse Gases/Global Warming
How to Reduce Your Greenhouse Gas Emissions
How to Take Action to Reduce Global Warming
How to Create Urban Rainforests

Sources and Citations
Wiki with global warming topics
A great and easy-to- understand documentary, the layman's first stop.
Pretty interesting UK article
An article about a once-believer turned skeptic
¡üScientific opinion on climate change. Wikipedia.
¡üNational Ice Core Laboratory: Contributions to global change research
¡üJoseph Fourier. Wikipedia.