| There are two sides to this debate; those that | | | | There are differing views on some essays that |
| believe that the current episode of global warming | | | | have been written. For instance, a 2004 essay by |
| is not natural, is being caused by human activities | | | | Naomi Oreskes in the journal "Science" reported a |
| such as the use of fossil fuels and deforestation, | | | | survey of abstracts of peer-reviewed papers in |
| and will cause irreparable harm to our planet and | | | | the ISI database that were related to the global |
| way of life if steps aren't taken to reduce or | | | | climate change. Oreskes stated that of the 928 |
| eliminate the amount of CO2 that is emitted into | | | | abstracts she analyzed, "none contradicted" the |
| our atmosphere versus those who believe that | | | | view of the major scientific organizations that |
| the current episode of global warming is perfectly | | | | human-made global warming is "compelling." |
| natural and that there is no or little need to curtail | | | | However, Benny Peiser claimed to find flaws in |
| our use of fossil fuels and deforestation. | | | | her work, stating that he had checked the same |
| Some of the main areas of controversy include | | | | set of abstracts, along with an additional 200 from |
| the following - | | | | the ISI database, and discovered that only around |
| - Is the climate changing beyond natural variations | | | | a dozen explicitly endorsed the "consensus." The |
| in the historical temperature record? | | | | vast majority of the abstracts did not mention |
| - Is human/industrial activity the cause for the | | | | anthropogenic global warming. |
| current episode of global warming, and if so, to | | | | However, it was later determined that Peiser |
| what extent is it the cause? | | | | searched for opinion pieces and editorial pieces, in |
| - What will be the effect when fossil fuels like oil | | | | addition to "hard science" papers, which were the |
| are depleted and the use of higher polluting coal is | | | | only papers Oreskes included, so Peiser's analysis |
| increased; will it cause more extreme climate | | | | was disputed. In a later piece for Canada's National |
| changes? | | | | Post, Peiser doesn't even mention that study he |
| - How effective are the CO2 emission reduction | | | | conducted earlier, instead just stating that |
| policies? | | | | hundreds of papers from the world's leading |
| - How much climate change will occur in the | | | | experts in the field have raised serious |
| future? | | | | reservations and outright rejection of a "scientific |
| - What will be the regional effects of changes in | | | | consensus on climate change." Peiser also |
| the climate? | | | | mentioned that even though there was an |
| - What will be the consequences of changes in | | | | overwhelming majority of climatologists who |
| the climate? | | | | believed that the current warming period is |
| Global warming has been a sustained topic in the | | | | mostly due to human impact, the support is not |
| European Union for a while now. The idea of | | | | unanimous. |
| human influence on climate has gained wider | | | | There are other essays and incidents where the |
| acceptance in Europe than it has in other places, | | | | two sides differ on how to interpret different |
| like the United States. | | | | scientific facts and reports. The side that believes |
| In the United States, global warming is often a | | | | that human-made global warming is a legitimate |
| partisan political issue. Republicans believe the | | | | concern insist that there is "consensus" on this |
| concept of human-made global warming is | | | | issue from the scientific community, whereas |
| unproven and tend to oppose any action to | | | | those who believe that the issue of human-made |
| address the issue. Democrats tend to support | | | | global warming is unfounded, claim that there is no |
| actions that they believe will address the issue of | | | | "consensus" from the scientific community on this |
| human-made global warming and reduce its | | | | issue. Some of the sceptics will admit to |
| effects in the future. | | | | "increased heating" from human activities, while |
| Even though it took longer for the issue of | | | | other sceptics claim that the "Urban heat island" |
| human-made global warming to catch on in the | | | | effect, where warming is caused by increased |
| United States, it is starting to gain movement and | | | | heat generated by cities, not by a global |
| importance. According to a 2006 Taylor Nelson | | | | temperature rise, is the main cause of our current |
| Sofres poll reported by ABC News, 85% of | | | | warming period. |
| Americans believed that global warming "probably | | | | Some researchers even believe that a 1.5 C (2.7 |
| is occurring," an increase from 80% in 1998. | | | | F) increase in average global temperature would |
| However, less than 40% were "very sure" of it | | | | increase crop yields and stabilize weather, while |
| occurring. In 1998, 31% of the American public | | | | also believing that a larger warming is unlikely. |
| said that global warming was "extremely | | | | However, most researchers believe that the |
| important" or "very important" to them; in 2006, | | | | average global warming would be more in the |
| that number rose to 49%. | | | | 2-4.5 C (3.6-8.1 F) range, and projects disastrous |
| However, Dr. David Suzuki, of the David Suzuki | | | | consequences as a result. The IPCC also believes |
| Foundation, reported on August 16, 2006 that the | | | | that an increase of 2-4.5 C (3.6-8.1 F) is likely to |
| general public has a poor understanding of global | | | | occur in the 21st century unless strong mitigation |
| warming, even despite added attention to the | | | | measures are adopted in the very near future. |
| issue from different sources, including the | | | | As you can see, there is much debate over |
| Oscar-winning documentary produced by 2000 | | | | whether human-made global warming is a |
| Presidential candidate Al Gore, "An Inconvenient | | | | legitimate issue to be concerned about or not. In |
| Truth." | | | | the United States especially, the issue of |
| Environmental groups, many governmental | | | | human-made global warming is more of a political |
| reports, and non-U.S. media often claim virtually | | | | issue, with most Republicans believing that it is an |
| unanimous agreement in the scientific community. | | | | unfounded or unproven issue, while Democrats |
| Outside of the scientific community, however, | | | | believe that the threat is real and that steps need |
| there are questions regarding the proportion of | | | | to be taken to prevent further damage. Both |
| scientists who agree or disagree on whether | | | | sides have interpreted scientific findings and |
| human-caused warming actually exists. The | | | | papers to support their claims as to whether |
| opponents' main view is that most scientists | | | | human-made global warming is a legitimate issue |
| either consider global warming as "unproven," | | | | to be concerned about or not. As human-made |
| dismiss it altogether, or disparage the dangers of | | | | global warming is discussed more and more in the |
| consensus science and are adding more clutter | | | | coming years, it's likely that more controversy |
| and more controversy. | | | | over this highly-debated issue will continue. |