In recent years, the term global warming has become a household term for most nations around the world. This term is generally defined as the progressive gradual rise of the earth's surface temperature, thought to be caused by the greenhouse effect and responsible for changes in global climate patterns. Simply put, the greenhouse effect is the process by which the atmosphere traps some of the Sun's energy (with a “blanket” called greenhouse gases), warming the Earth enough to support life. These gases, consisting of water vapour, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone are both naturally occurring and man-made.
The Controversy
Scientists have established that although the greenhouse effect is necessary for life, an increase in greenhouse gases causes the Earth’s temperature to rise and upsets the general climate pattern on the planet. Following these alarm bells, many governments and people around the world are seeking ways to curb emissions of these gases.
However, there are still governments, organisations, people and even scientists who claim that global warming is only a myth, and that some scientists have falsified research data to support their own theories and beliefs about global warming.
Winter of 2009-2010
The extremely cold winter in some countries toward the end of last year, which has carried on into this year, has left even some believers of global warming and climate change in doubt. The term is now used by many as a joke. Just the other day, a man in London was heard to say, "I am shoveling global warming from my lawn" as he cleared up after a snow fall.
The question is, is it really something to laugh about?
The Explanation- If the Earth is Warming Then Why is it so Cold?
Just because it has not been a “record breaking” temperature year in some parts of Europe, Asia or North America does not mean the climate is not changing. The world is one globe so we should be careful not to be myopic in our assumptions. Some parts of Australia, many countries in Africa and some in South America are in fact experiencing floods, droughts, rivers and lakes emptying, bush fires, and constant record breaking temperatures.
Maybe the term global warming is a little misleading, and maybe the term climate change should be used instead. However, scientists say it is the increase in the greenhouse gases, and thus global warming, that causes the climate to change. Climate change does not necessarily mean the whole world will catch fire. It means the global climate will become erratic and unpredictable. It means polar ice caps will melt, and these melting ice caps will throw the global ecosystem out of balance: the ice caps are fresh water, and when they melt, they will desalinate the ocean. The desalinization of the gulf current could destabilise ocean currents, which regulate temperatures. The stream shutdown or irregularity could cool some areas around North America, Europe and Asia. This however by no means negates the fact that there is global warming or that the climate is changing.
Food for thought
Experience has shown that it is a very dangerous thing to despise or completely ignore scientific evidence just because we are doubtful of it or do not understand the science behind it. A former president of South Africa was doubtful of HIV/AIDS and banned the use of antiretroviral drugs in public hospitals and clinics. Many public health researchers agre that this AIDS denial is the root cause of the extremely high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in South Africa today.
Isn't it safe to say then, that in every case, and at any cost, it is always better to be safe than sorry?
Sources
Hegerl, Gabriele C.; et al. (2007). "Understanding and Attributing Climate Change". Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Corcoran, Terence. (2010, January 06). "The cool down in climate polls." Financial Post
Leake, Jonathan. (2005, May 08). "Britain faces big chill as ocean current slows." TimesOnline
Gwendoline Fominyen - Gwendoline Fominyen is an environmentalist, a development practitioner, a poet, a model and a freelance writer, not necessarily in that ...
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