(March 30, 2009 at 8:29 am)lilphil1989 Wrote: The earth is warming (by that, I mean the global average surface temperature is increasing), the debate is whether or not that's caused by humanity or whether it would have happened anyway.
Like you said it's not conclusive, so why bother? But then again, if it real, then we better start doing something quick.
It's a hard call, when there seems to be a lot to lose on both sides of the argument.
Just to point something out though, you said global average surface temperature is increasing. I think it is. But that's the whole problem. Global warming and the idea that the earth is warming is based on surface temps, but are these even accurate? With the amount of pollution, urban hubs and things like clouds increasing our surface temperature, it can hardly be the right thing to look at. We have too much influence on it, therefore it can look like the temp is rising when it is in fact not changing or even decreasing.
Have seen articles about this before, but couldn't find any right now, will look into it. But I remember the argument was that we should be looking at the overall temps of the atmosphere as read by satellites which are unaffected by heat sinks like cities.
I hope this sounds somewhat intelligible and not some pile of garble. I'll find more info soon.
"I think that God in creating Man somewhat overestimated his ability." Oscar Wilde
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My Blog | Why I Don't Believe in God