Global Warming
WORLD
Global Warming
The Hottest Debate of the Decade
Kristen Flint ‘14
G
lobal warming has been a point of contention in our society for years, and the extreme views from both sides of the argument have transformed the subject of global warming from a factual theory into a mythical idea. At one extreme, those who consider themselves “green” bemoan the tragedy that man is causing our planet’s climate to heat up while the other side of the debate refuses to believe any part of the global warming theory. Behind both opinions, there is often confusion, misunderstanding, and a general lack of knowledge. The theory that global warming has anthropogenic causes has existed for over a century, and scientists have collected evidence on global warming for over fifty years. In spite of the evidence, the public generally lives in the dark, constantly wondering if global warming is fact or fiction.
Global warming is the increase in the Earth’s temperature caused by increased emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (1). The greenhouse
gases, including CO2, form a blanket in the Earth’s atmosphere that traps heat and causes global temperatures to increase (1). This theory of global warming was first offered by a Swedish chemist named Svante Arrhenius in 1896 (2). Arrhenius estimated that
“doubling the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would raise the mean global temperature by several degrees”
(2). Even then, his audience was skeptical as many other factors could also affect global temperature. Since Arrhenius’ paper, the global warming discussion has grown convoluted as both scientists and the media have addressed the subject. Scientists track climate change and publish their evidence, but then the media hypes it up in its articles to the public. To add to the confusion, the public tends to avoid thinking much about the topic unless extreme weather occurs unexpectedly. However, despite overwhelming opinions, there are facts to support both sides of the
Global Warming
The Hottest Debate of the Decade
Kristen Flint ‘14
G
lobal warming has been a point of contention in our society for years, and the extreme views from both sides of the argument have transformed the subject of global warming from a factual theory into a mythical idea. At one extreme, those who consider themselves “green” bemoan the tragedy that man is causing our planet’s climate to heat up while the other side of the debate refuses to believe any part of the global warming theory. Behind both opinions, there is often confusion, misunderstanding, and a general lack of knowledge. The theory that global warming has anthropogenic causes has existed for over a century, and scientists have collected evidence on global warming for over fifty years. In spite of the evidence, the public generally lives in the dark, constantly wondering if global warming is fact or fiction.
Global warming is the increase in the Earth’s temperature caused by increased emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere (1). The greenhouse
gases, including CO2, form a blanket in the Earth’s atmosphere that traps heat and causes global temperatures to increase (1). This theory of global warming was first offered by a Swedish chemist named Svante Arrhenius in 1896 (2). Arrhenius estimated that
“doubling the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would raise the mean global temperature by several degrees”
(2). Even then, his audience was skeptical as many other factors could also affect global temperature. Since Arrhenius’ paper, the global warming discussion has grown convoluted as both scientists and the media have addressed the subject. Scientists track climate change and publish their evidence, but then the media hypes it up in its articles to the public. To add to the confusion, the public tends to avoid thinking much about the topic unless extreme weather occurs unexpectedly. However, despite overwhelming opinions, there are facts to support both sides of the
References: 1. P. Moriarty, D. Kennedy. Cybernet. Syst. 35, 723-725 (2004). 2. S. Weart, B. Atom. Sci. 67, 41-50 (2011). 3. J. Durfee, J. Corbett. Nieman Reports 59, 88-89 (2005). 4. S. Quiring, GeoJournal 70, 1-3 (2007). Int. 35, 390-401 (2009). 6. P. Pockley, Australasian Science 28, 28-31 (2007). 7. J. Rose, P. Geologist. Assoc. 121, 334-341 (2010). 8. S. Wang, Chinese Sci. Bull. 55, 1961-1962 (2010). 9. T. Moore, EMBO Reports 9, S41-S45 (2008). 10. S. Sherwood, Australasian Science 30, 25-27 (2009). 11. R. Spencer, Social Science and Public Policy 44, 45-50 (2007).