| With the influx of information available on the Internet | | | | Fact: While a small amount of warming might benefit |
| and all the hype in the media, it is often difficult to | | | | some select regions, the negative effects of global |
| discern scientifically accepted facts about global | | | | warming will far outweigh any positives. Among the |
| warming from the distorted myths. This article will | | | | many expected results of global warming are: drought, |
| provide a brief overview of the main facts and myths | | | | flooding rainstorms, forest fire, and species extinctions. |
| about the causes and effects of global warming. For | | | | Many of the extreme weather events will occur in |
| even more information, see Global Warming Myths | | | | areas that are already experiencing trouble producing |
| and Facts from Environmental Defense. | | | | their own food because of resource depletion, |
| Myth #1: Within the scientific community, debate | | | | specifically in the developing world where hunger is |
| persists as to whether or not anthropogenic | | | | already prevalent. Additionally, rising sea levels are |
| (human-caused) gases are the primary cause of global | | | | predicted to displace 13 to 88 million people each year, |
| warming. | | | | placing a greater strain on agricultural lands. More mild |
| Fact: Worldwide, climate scientists are united in | | | | cold seasons will invite non-native species, threatening |
| agreement that the current rise in greenhouse gases | | | | the livelihood of native plants (which will already be |
| and global temperatures are directly correlated to | | | | under stress). Harmful insects that eat crops or harbor |
| human-related causes. Mean temperatures across the | | | | disease will have expanded geographical and seasonal |
| globe are trending upwards, scientists agree. Since the | | | | ranges. |
| Industrial Revolution, the world's consumption of fossil | | | | Myth #4: Like examples of the past, humans can |
| fuels has increased at an alarming rate and climate | | | | easily adapt to the effects of global climate change, |
| scientists consent that the combustion of these fuels | | | | especially with current and future technologies. |
| are the primary culprits of global warming. Whatever | | | | Fact: While it is true that humans as a species have |
| debate exists does so in the popular media and political | | | | survived through climate variations in the past, it has |
| arenas. Skeptics are often spokespeople or "scientists" | | | | been the cause of civilization collapse in many proven |
| hired by industries that have a stake in new | | | | cases. If the global warming trend continues without |
| emission-cutting regulations or changes in consumer | | | | action, the rate of increase and the degree of |
| buying patterns that would curb global warming. | | | | warming will exceed anything experienced since the |
| Myth #2: The current warming trend is just part of the | | | | beginning of human civilization. The fallout from global |
| natural cycle of rising and falling climate variation. A | | | | warming will drastically impact all aspects of modern |
| small shift in degrees is not a big deal. | | | | human life, as well as the global economy with which |
| Fact: While climate change does follow a natural cycle | | | | we are so intertwined. If industrialized nations are able |
| of fluctuation in global and regional temperatures over | | | | to fufill the prophecy spoken by so many media |
| time, we are experiencing a major increase in the rate | | | | pundits and invent their way out of this crisis with |
| at which climate change is occurring that does not fall | | | | technology, those countries lacking the resources to do |
| within the normal boundaries of global climate cycles. | | | | the same will be left high and dry. The pressure from |
| While some animals and plants were able to adapt to | | | | the movement of large groups of people displaced by |
| slow changes over time, many will become extinct as | | | | global warming will be felt across borders, both political |
| a result of faster climate changes. Evolution requires | | | | and socio-economic. Additionally, conflict over food and |
| time to change any given species-successful changes | | | | water will likely have a ripple effect across the globe. |
| are made over thousands (or millions) of years. In | | | | It is clear that the need to act on global, industrial, |
| contrast, scientists predict that the average global | | | | political, and individual levels is imperative to address |
| temperature will increase anywhere from 2.5 to 10.4 | | | | one of the biggest environmental challenge humans as |
| degrees F in the 21st century alone. Although this may | | | | a species has ever seen. Education is the first step; |
| seem insignificant, such a shift across the entire globe | | | | action is the next. The future is in our hands. |
| will dramatically effect the more delicate ecosystems | | | | Sources: |
| which are, in turn, connected to the function of each | | | | Wang, James, PhD. and Michael Oppenheimer, PhD. |
| other system. The last Ice Age was only 5-9 degrees | | | | "The Latest Myths and Facts on Global Warming." |
| colder than today's temperatures. | | | | Environmental Defense, 2005. [PDF] |
| Myth #3: Global warming is a good thing; an extended | | | | "Myth Manners Thinks Abrupt Climate Change Would |
| warm season would be more comfortable and extend | | | | Be Rude." Grinning Planet. June 21, 2005. |
| the growing season, thus increasing global food | | | | You are encouraged to reprint this article, but please |
| supplies. | | | | include this resource box. |