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