http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction Is global warming really happening? Or is it simply a product of the super-liberal, dirty-hippy mentality? en-us I think it is incontrovertible that global warming is a real phenomena. It can be seen in worldwide temperature increases, declining ice caps and odd weather. What we should be asking are: 1) Is global warming caused or sped up by human actions? 2) Are the consequences of global warming serious or not? 3) Is this a natural cycle that will break on its own terms? shullrd Mon, 06 Oct 2008 18:33:59 -0500 http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction I think that, in certain key respects, the phenomenon of global warming has been "mythologized," taken out of context, etc. For example, if, by global warming, one means a relatively rapid rise in global mean temperatures, then we can point to instances in the natural record in which this has happened in the absence of human civilization. It would also be wise to note that, because these trends did happen in the absence of civilization as we know it, we are poorly equipped to make sound predictions as to how they might affect our kind of civilization going forward. That is why the term "anthropogenic (people-caused) climate change" is more accurate. It is clear that human industry--from logging and slash-'n'-burn agriculture through massive, continuous factory outputs of greenhouse gases--is altering the environment in ways that are poorly understood. What is commonly referred to as "global warming" is really just a small (albeit tremendously important) part of a broader spectrum of effects engendered by industry and development more generally; from atmospheric, soil, and water pollution, to habitat destruction through urban development, et cetera. Personally, I feel that the key to reducing human impact on the environment is personal responsibility. People need to come together and make choices at the level of the home and community to consume less and contribute more to their local ecosystems. The industrial apparatuses which govern so much of modern life were developed and continue to operate with a focus on near-term profit, not long-term consequences. The master's house will never be dismantled with the master's tools. That is why it is more prudent and responsible for consumers to shoulder the responsibility for lowering ecological impact rather than expecting industry and government to do the work--this is, in my opinion, largely delusional. Government will "act" to protect the environment only insofar as there are votes to be gained, and votes can be gained by token measures without any real effectiveness. The pocketbooks of consumers collectively speak much more loudly. So, to summarize, it is more beneficial for people to think of climate change as something which they can personally combat through their actions and deeds rather than some unavoidable coming cataclysm--even though, for all we know, the damage already done may in fact be near-cataclysmic. The solution to environmental degradation is mostly, at its core, a matter of personal choice: consuming responsibly and consuming less, particularly in the realm of energy (fossil fuels and the like), so it really boils down to lifestyle choices. And it is truly amazing how many people, particularly in the United States, prefer to laconically deny the negative impact of industrial civilization on the environment so that they can continue to feel justified in filling their gas tanks and running their air conditioners all night long. cantseetheforest Sun, 10 Aug 2008 23:11:00 -0500 http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction some people blow this global warming thing out of proportion and making up myths but the truth is global warming is very real and is happening as I type. zane57 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 02:00:58 -0500 http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction In the last 35 years the North Pole has been reduced by 33%. It i predicted that in 2015 it won't exist at all, there is something more than the ordinary going on here, and we are the cause of it. eastwind Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:34:46 -0600 http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction JenTheObscure Fri, 07 Dec 2007 13:48:08 -0600 http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction While we have a lot of motivations for wishing it wasn;t true, it is. An overwhelming scientific consensus exists to support this theory, and The consequences are dire. What's the worst that could happen from cleaning up our act? If I'm right, we'll be glad we acted when we did. If I'm wrong, the worst that could happen is that we live in a more ecological world with cleaner air for our kids and a more sustainble future for our race. This is a no-brainer. Swryght Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:20:06 -0500 http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction Some skeptics point to the history of temperature fluctuations as proof that the warming of the earth is just a cyclic process that will soon correct itself. But warming has never occured so intensely in such a short period of time. . And you want us to believe that the huge pollution factories of the industrial age had no effect, but today's gases do? Robpea Sun, 09 Sep 2007 15:00:42 -0500 http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction made up by the government to make money ktmrr Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:52:34 -0600 http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction Global warming occurred hundreds and thousands of years ago, before there were any vehicles or factories. It is a natural occurrence. bathory313 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:57:27 -0500 http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction I think Global warming is going to happen even if we stop cars world wide, stop all spray cans,put a hault to all factories that emit any kind of smoke, etc etc. It is still going to happen and there isn't a thing we can do about it. Global warming happens, it is a natural part of earth's life cycle. DebAnne Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:05:53 -0500 http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction The problems that we should be looking at are the problems caused by landfill and toxic waste. We are killing the Planet but not by causing it to fry! That is just political propaganda as another excuse to raise taxes. visionary1 Mon, 10 Sep 2007 19:36:26 -0500 http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction It's a natural, cyclical process, not a man-made catastrophe. Volcanic eruptions, increased sun radiation, and other such natural events make man's contributions miniscule by comparison. Follow the money! GW alarmists would spend billions in futile efforts. Why not spend our resources in far more productive ways, such as reducing malaria, extreme poverty, etc.? JayBird Mon, 10 Sep 2007 14:04:53 -0500 http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction And so what if the earth heats up a little bit. The slight melting of the polar icecaps would allow dry farmland across the world to be watered as much as needed. Drought would never be an issue. This is all an elaborate ploy to push hybrid cars. It's all just the crazy liberals conjuring stuff up. and what about floods? that's the issue of polar melting, too much water - we couldn't handle it. oh and environmentalists push that hybrid cars aren't worth any real mention. they're made of parts which have flown across the world too many times. Robpea Sun, 09 Sep 2007 15:03:30 -0500 http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction http://riledup.com/debate/313/global-warming-fact-or-fiction