Is Global Warming a Threat or an Illusion?
Kristen Leacock 12/14/07 Expository Writing CMP-120-C1
Is Global Warming A Threat Or An Illusion? Part II
In addition to the discussion on Antarctica and the Arctic, three statements are being challenged. The first statement that is being challenged concerns the worldwide temperature that “has apparently increased by less than a degree (0.9) Fahrenheit” which took place before World War II” (Stott). We are further updated that there was a “ride in temperature of around 0.6 degrees centigrade over the last 150 years” (Stott, “Cold Comfort”). So what does a graph portraying temperatures over the United States tell us when we look at it? Does it tell us that the time between 1880-1940, which includes of 1900-1940, display additional warming than 1940-2000, also including the years from 1960-2000? The next point being challenged relates to particular years in addition to short-term stages, such as a decade or fifteen years. Since the graph stops at the year 2005, it limits us to look at the years from 1960-2005. Looking at the graph, are we able to tell whether more or less global warming has taken place or is taking place? Last but not least, there is proof that “over the past 100 years, winters in the Northern Hemisphere have become warmer” as a result of an increase in global cloud formation (Bailey 328). With some amount of assurance, what can we tell about the responsibility of clouds in managing global warming?
Despite the fact that we are limited to the United States, the graph is significant because the United States has been an industrial giant since at least the 1880s. In addition, given that we drive nearly fifty percent of the world’s cars, the graph is particularly noteworthy after World War II for those, such as McKibben, who state that the majority of global warming has been happening in the second half of the twentieth century and beyond. Try as we may, we discover that from the year 1880 to
Is Global Warming A Threat Or An Illusion? Part II
In addition to the discussion on Antarctica and the Arctic, three statements are being challenged. The first statement that is being challenged concerns the worldwide temperature that “has apparently increased by less than a degree (0.9) Fahrenheit” which took place before World War II” (Stott). We are further updated that there was a “ride in temperature of around 0.6 degrees centigrade over the last 150 years” (Stott, “Cold Comfort”). So what does a graph portraying temperatures over the United States tell us when we look at it? Does it tell us that the time between 1880-1940, which includes of 1900-1940, display additional warming than 1940-2000, also including the years from 1960-2000? The next point being challenged relates to particular years in addition to short-term stages, such as a decade or fifteen years. Since the graph stops at the year 2005, it limits us to look at the years from 1960-2005. Looking at the graph, are we able to tell whether more or less global warming has taken place or is taking place? Last but not least, there is proof that “over the past 100 years, winters in the Northern Hemisphere have become warmer” as a result of an increase in global cloud formation (Bailey 328). With some amount of assurance, what can we tell about the responsibility of clouds in managing global warming?
Despite the fact that we are limited to the United States, the graph is significant because the United States has been an industrial giant since at least the 1880s. In addition, given that we drive nearly fifty percent of the world’s cars, the graph is particularly noteworthy after World War II for those, such as McKibben, who state that the majority of global warming has been happening in the second half of the twentieth century and beyond. Try as we may, we discover that from the year 1880 to
Cited: 1. Bailey, Ronald. “Seven Doomsday Myths about the Environment.” Vesterman 322-39. 2. McKibben, Bill. “Not So Fast.” Vesterman 316-20. 3. Olmstead, Andrew. “Complex Phenomena.” February 16, 2007. 10/31/2007. 4. Stott, Philip. “Cold Comfort for ‘Global Warming.’” The Wall Street Journal. March 25, 2002: A18. 5. Vesterman, William, ed. Readings for the 21st Century: Issues for Today’s Students. 5th edition. New York: Legmar, 2003.