Global Warming

Global warming - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In a nutshell, it seems the fuel of modern society, electricity, is releasing CO2 into the atmosphere and warming up the earth. Because of this, the delicate balance of ecosystems are being harmed, animals are becoming extinct, the polar ice caps are melting, sea levels are rising and eratic weather changes are occuring. I want to people's opinions of this and to raise awareness of it, it seems like one of the most serious global issues. Do you think this ominous change in the earth's temperature is man-made, or do you think it is natural?

Are you doing your bit to prevent it? Recycling, using as little elecricity as possible, getting energy saving light bubls etc. Even if it is a natural occurence, I say doing all those measures is still worth it for the sake of the non-renewable energy resources and just save money on electricity bills! Oh, and, it would be foolhardy to not pay attention to the real risk of continents being flooded and all the economy, all civialization drowning.

Since when does electricity do this? Whether it is man made or not one can really tell, because we don't understand the Earth or the Sun well enough to give a 100% answer.

The process of supplying electricity through the National Grid release Carbon Dioxide because you have to burn fossil fuels. I can't believe you don't already know this.

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Global warming is a planetary cycle. It's going to happen either way.

We are, however, making that cycle happen considerably sooner than it normally does, and are going to make it considerably hotter.


I mean, seriously, does any dispute that greenhouse gases cause global warming?
Does anyone dispute that we are producing large amounts of greenhouse gases?

I don't think so, not really, anyways.

So we are left with the conclusion that we are causing this, and should presumably do something to make sure that we don't single-handedly lead to the death of much of humanity, no?

We're causing such a small amount that it doesn't really matter -- at least, not for the next thousand millennium. Even if we took every single car off the road, global warming will still occur. Besides, natural global cooling will soon occur thereafter occur as to balance the climate change. What then?

Now, I'm all for helping the environment. But I don't think we should be forced to change the industry and economy as these "green" activists (and, sadly, even to the extent of our own governments) are making us do under the fallacy that we are somehow the exclusive source of global warming.

^ There's much truth in that. The best way to decrease the amount of greenhouse gases would be a complete overhaul in the industry sector. That would be pretty damn expensive though, and we can't even guarantee it'd be worth it in the end. More research is needed. Though I support forcing industries to up their standards, and I also support nuclear power so that we can get cheap and clean power (unlike coal plants or stuff) and spend the money on more important matters.

Originally Posted by Dark Link

We're causing such a small amount that it doesn't really matter -- at least, not for the next thousand millennium.

Er, no, that's nowhere near true.

It takes very little in the way of greenhouse gases to drastically alter the temperature.

Why? Because they trap, essentially, all of the sun's energy that hits Earth and prevent it from leaving. (That's a gross simplification with some hyperbole, but it's close enough.)

It takes only a fraction of a percent increase in the amount of energy trapped on Earth to greatly alter the Earth's climate, since the sun produces so much.

And, guess what? CO2 and other assorted greenhouse gases can provide that increase in very small quantities.

Even if we took every single car off the road, global warming will still occur.

Indeed, because we've gone and flooded the atmosphere already.

The current goal is to lessen how long it lasts, not to stop it.

Besides, natural global cooling will soon occur thereafter occur as to balance the climate change. What then?

"soon"?

Perhaps you are not aware that Dinosaurs enjoyed a few million years of world-wide tropical climates due to the presence of greenhouse gasses.

Now, I'm all for helping the environment. But I don't think we should be forced to change the industry and economy as these "green" activists (and, sadly, even to the extent of our own governments) are making us do under the fallacy that we are somehow the exclusive source of global warming.

No straw men, please.

No one is claiming that we are the sole source, just that we are the main one, which we clearly are, unless you're going to argue that the majority of climatologists have no idea what they're doing.

Humans cause about 1-2% (appox) of the problem. The rest is natural. The earth has been slowly getting warmer since the ice age. It's just that now, we have to tools to measure it. People like to publicize it becuase that's where the money is. I mean, if you say that all of your doors, windows, lightbulbs, or whatever product your selling reduces the effect of GW, People will buy your stuff because they think that there is going to be a sudden massive flood that drowns the earth. Weather it's real or not, it wouldn't happen suddenly, and there's not much we can do.

On the other hand, however, polution is still a large problem though, and it's showing. We should take care of our planet, and then we would have a nicer place to live, and help take away 1% of GW. Hombre de Mundo said it well.

Alter, I'd love a source for that 1-2% number.

It's obviously debatable. Surely we have sped up the process, but we don't know if it will end Humanity or the planet. Yes we should try to preserve the planet. Yes we should try to continue striving for fuel sources that last as long as possible while producing the least amount of waste.

I think we have more than enough problems without having to worry about something that's inevitable one way or the other. It's not something we can prevent from happening, so don't strain your brain over it.

Originally Posted by Dolphin

The process of supplying electricity through the National Grid release Carbon Dioxide because you have to burn fossil fuels. I can't believe you don't already know this.

Then no it isn't 'electricity' is is burning fossil fuels, just say that. The conversion to Ethanol is stupid what a bunch of nitwits that run our energy division, driving up produce costs. Grow some balls and put the damn hippies in their place and find something that doesn't hurt the economy by driving up food prices on a worthless alternative fuel. Ethanol is a waste.

Originally Posted by Flames of Valor

Then no it isn't 'electricity' is is burning fossil fuels, just say that.

Actually, what he said was completely correct. We burn fossil fuels to supply electricity.

The conversion to Ethanol is stupid what a bunch of nitwits that run our energy division, driving up produce costs. Grow some balls and put the damn hippies in their place and find something that doesn't hurt the economy by driving up food prices on a worthless alternative fuel. Ethanol is a waste.

Who mentioned ethanol? In fact, who are you talking to?

Originally Posted by Mad Hatter

Actually, what he said was completely correct. We burn fossil fuels to supply electricity.

He didn't say that, he said electricity is causing global warming.

Who mentioned ethanol? In fact, who are you talking to?

I mentioned Ethanol, it shows what else "global warming" is doing.

Yes, the use of electricity is causing global warming because it requires fossil fuels to be burnt before it gets supplied to our houses through the National Grid.

Even if the rising temperature of the planet isn't the fault of humans, there is no denying that fossil fuels are a non-renewable fuel source and, once it has run out, where would we be? The economy would completely collapse.

Originally Posted by Dark Link

We're causing such a small amount that it doesn't really matter.

Bullcrap. Read up on it some and then come back with an argument. Global warming isn't an opinion, people. It's fact. Some of it may be due to Earth's natural cycle, but most scientists agree that we are causing it, and the general population that doesn't is in denial. Maybe it won't hurt us in our lifetime, but that's no reason to put it off. That'll just give future generations a reason to hate us for being complete boneheads and doing nothing to prevent this.

How much help would refraining from using the computer or video games be on the problem of Global Warming?