The Global Warming Debate: Is It Real? Essay

Introduction

The debate on global warming is turning out to be controversial with one side dismissing it as a creation of dishonest scientists and the other dismissing the other as behaving like the proverbial ostrich that buried its head in sand thinking that it was safe only to receive a stinging bite on its uncovered nether from the hyena.

The Impetus for Global Warming

Regardless of the side that has the truth, it is very important to treat the issue of global warming with utmost attention given the potential it has for causing misery on the planet. Whether it is already here with us or it will be here fifty to one hundred years from now, the increased temperatures that come with global warming, as well as the increased precipitation that in turn lead to increased sea levels, are not something that will change earthly life for the better. It is for this reason that global warming needs to be investigated in an organized manner and the evidence evaluated to determine what we are facing. In this brief essay, I will attempt to convey the issues raised by the two opposing sides regarding global warming. The evidence availed by those who claim that it is already here with us will be presented as well as the rebuttals of those who oppose that position.

The Arguments Backing the Idea That Global Warming Is a Reality

To start with, the case made by those who think that global warming is already here with us is as compelling as any case can be. The evidence that global warming is with us already begins with the increased temperatures on the surface of the earth (Philander2000, pp.4-5). Scientists have recorded increased temperatures in various parts of the planet and this is something that should worry everyone. The increase is significant because it is more than one degree on the Celsius scale (Ruddiman 2005, pp.12-17). The source of this increase in temperature is said to be the greenhouse gases that are emitted in large quantities from factories around the world. The most common greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide. The mechanism through which these greenhouse gases increase the earth’s surface temperature is that they trap heat and make it hard to escape thus making the atmosphere a huge hot greenhouse (Philander2000, pp.45-49).

The impact of increased temperatures is that precipitation in the form of rainfall has increased. There are numerous parts of Asia, the Americas, and Asia that are witnessing huge amounts of rainfall than it has ever been witnessed before. Floods resulting from these heavy rains have led to the destruction of both human, animal, and plant life. The result of the heavy rainfall is that the sea levels begin rising and this is something that has been proven. The evidence given in this case is that there are some islands in the major seas and oceans that have been submerged. A submerged island is a clear sign of increased water levels in the sea or ocean where the island is located (Houghton 1997, pp.34-36).

Far from rainfall and rising sea levels, ice and snow reservoirs in various parts of the planet have melted at a rate not witnessed before (Mathez 2009, pp.39-41). Mountains that were once beautiful with snow caps are now bare with rocky tops. What else can make ice and snowmelt from the top of mountains? Whatever it is, I am sure it is not cold. The South Pole and the North Pole that were once famous for their unchanging ice and snow levels are fast losing this reputation. This is a clear indication that the planet is gaining more heat than it should. Thus we are likely to witness more floods in some areas as we have already seen in some parts as mentioned in the above paragraph while some parts of the planet will experience scorching heat and therefore undergo desertification.

The Arguments Backing the Idea That Global Warming Is Fiction

On the other hand, those who dismiss the alarm on global warming as false have tried their best to make their case as appealing as possible. They have done a commendable job of reducing the enormity of the discoveries made by those who think that global warming is already here and we, therefore, need to start taking immediate action. What do they say about greenhouse gases? They think that the amount of carbon dioxide has not increased on the planet (Horner 2008, pp.11-15). The plants make use of carbon dioxide in photosynthesis and therefore regulate the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide which is supposed to be around 3%.

In addition to the above, those who call global warming a fictitious ploy use their dismissal of the levels of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide to term the temperature shift of about one degree Celsius as normal rise and fall. They claim that it has been there throughout the history of the planet. They also dismiss the claim that ice and snow have disappeared as fictitious with the argument that it is a pattern that takes the form of the appearance and disappearance of snow caps on these mountain peaks through the climatic life of the planet.

The weaknesses of the second group which dismisses global warming are that they lack sufficient explanations for the disappearing islands and the flooding that is becoming common. They are also not availing any substantial explanation for the desertification that is being witnessed in many parts of the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the global warming issue as discussed above has two sides. One thinks the problem is already here and we need to take immediate mitigating measures while the other declares global warming a creation of scientists who have an enormous appetite for fiction. It is prudent that the issues raised by these two sides as discussed above are carefully analyzed and action taken given the seriousness of global warming; whether it is already here or a million years away. If it is here, it is good to deal with it and if it is not here, it is good to make it clear and safe the public from anxiety.

References

1. Horner, C., 2008. Red Hot Lies: How Global Warming Alarmists Use Threats, Fraud, and Deception to Keep You Misinformed (1^ST American ed.).New York: Regnery Press.
2. Houghton, J., 1997. Globa Warming: The Complete Briefing (2^nd ed.).New York: Cambridge University Press.
3. Mathez, E., 2009. Climate Change: The Science of Global Warming and Our Energy Future (1^st ed.).New York: Columbia University Press.
4. Philander, G., 2000.Is the Temperature Rising? The Uncertain Science of Global Warming. New York: Princeton University Press.
5. Ruddiman, W., 2005. Earth’s Climate Past and Future. New York: Princeton University Press.