Global warming or just natural cycle?

[deckchick]

What do you think?

Personally I think it is just the natural cycle of the earth, but lots of people believe in global warming.

http://www.climatehotmap.org/

[AriesRising]

Global warming IS happening......climatographs are proof of that fact, it cannot be disputed. People seem to be confused on that point. It is not up for debate, it is in fact happening and has happened. The average temp of the earth has gone up over the last couple of decades.

However, the debate is what is causing it to happen......a natural cycle of the earth (as deckchick believes), or is it being caused by humans? The jury is still out.

[deckchick]

Ok, let me rephrase that...

Global Warming - natural cycle or man-made disaster?

I realize there is no hard proof either way, but whats your opinion on it and why?

[muchlove]

I don't understand why some people don't "believe in" global warming. I mean, like Aries said^ it's pretty much fact. Or is it up for debate in the same way as evolution? No matter what the evidence, people refuse to believe? I don't get it.

[that's not aimed at you, deckchick... just anyone that doesn't believe in it]

[SVZ]

Just take a look at a graph that shows the amont of co2 in the air. there's a sharp and steady increase right from the industrial age.

as well, pollen and other natural factors can cause global warming. but it's not one thing OR the other. It's all tied together. the world's a system.

[miss_perfect]

You can argue both sides. We did a paper in college arguing for and against it. I say it's a natural response to a man-made disease. Kind of like when you get an infection and your white blood cell count goes up to fight it. Everything in life strives for equilibrium, Earth is no different.

[deckchick]

Originally Posted by SVZ

Just take a look at a graph that shows the amount of co2 in the air. there's a sharp and steady increase right from the industrial age.

as well, pollen and other natural factors can cause global warming. but it's not one thing OR the other. It's all tied together. the world's a system.

I guess my point is, the earth has been around for millions of years, industrialized man for what two or maybe three hundred years?

Yes we are undergoing climate changes, there is no debate on that fact. My point is, when you look at the long history of our planet, it has already gone through several cycles.

So is it inevitable that the polar icecaps melting or is it our fault?

[SVZ]

So is it inevitable that the polar icecaps melting or is it our fault?

both I think. Yes, the earth does go through cycles, but I think we're speeding this one up...and we're here, and we don't want to get wiped out even if we're not causing global warming we're causing way too much other things, the same things that are being blamed for global warming. clear cutting causes flooding, our waste of fuel, our waste of water. our landfills (emitting various green house gases as they rot)...not good for global warming, whether it's our fault or not, and not good for the enviroment either.

[barbiedoll25]

Oh let's face it! The world is gonna end sooner or later! Let's just have fun in the meantime!