Criticized for his unconventional views on climate change, one man had the courage to stand up against the scientific community and mainstream media. Believing that the "global warming" theory did not have enough evidence to support its claims; a scientist/weatherman risked his reputation and stood by his convictions. That man was John Coleman, founder of the Weather Channel.
According to John Coleman, billions of tax dollars are being wasted on an overhyped belief that the Earth is warming. Mr. Coleman also points out that skepticism by scientists who dispute this belief has been widely suppressed by the media.
Despite constant media attention, "global warming" is still just a theory. Quite the contrary, periods of global cooling are a fact of Earth's history that have come before and will come again. Although Mr. Coleman does not believe that either extreme is likely in our immediate future, an understanding of times when the Earth was cooler is essential in order to understand some of the fallacies of the mainstream view.
Although you will often hear the misleading argument that polar ice caps are melting, this argument fails to consider several important factors:
- The best geological and climate data shows that ice sheets regularly grow and decline at predictable and sometimes unpredictable intervals. Mankind hasn't been studying climate long enough to know for sure what constitutes the "normal" decline of ice in between glaciation periods.
- Biased climate reports of record highs often neglect to show record lows and unprecedented snow falls that occur throughout many areas - including states that are supposed to be part of the Sunbelt.
- Many scientists disagree with the "global warming" theory including the 17,000 that signed a petition circulated by the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine.
- Despite predictions, some glaciers have actually increased in size in recent years.
- Projections of "global warming" by the media and even scientists at times are often wildly exaggerated and based more on opinions and questionable computer models than actual historical data.
- The whole premise of temperature increase is highly questionable on multiple accounts including the way readings are conducted (typically using unreliable ground-based readings), the amount of this increase (only 1 degree on average) and the manipulation of readings to cherry pick sample areas that best support the theory.
- The belief that the industrial revolution has spurred on a warming trend conveniently overlooks the first 100 years of this period where Earth's temperatures actually cooled.
- Current CO2 levels in our atmosphere are similar to what they were between 120,000 to 140,000 years ago during the Eemian Interglacial Period. After this brief warming trend, the climate reverted back to a full-fledged ice age!
Despite popular belief, CO2 or carbon dioxide is actually not a very strong greenhouse gas. In fact, carbon dioxide is beneficial to trees and plants which need this to survive. Our atmosphere also breaks down CO2 naturally as carbon dioxide is a necessary part of our eco-system.
Does this mean we should be complacent about vehicle and industrial emissions? Certainly not! Air pollution is air-pollution and those with self-serving agendas must be held accountable for actions that effect our environment.
The truth is, we really don't know exactly what the future will bring. Although it is theoretically possible the Earth might warm, it is also very possible just the opposite will occur or that the Earth may remain relatively stable for many millenniums to come. Extraordinary claims must be substantiated and not the result of conjecture. Without a full and unbiased model that shows all the evidence, such wild speculation has no place in science and only serves to reduce the credibility of climatologists and the legacy scientists of our time leave behind.
Robert Haskell is a contributing author and manager of consumer affairs for http://www.officesalesusa.comand http://www.worldatfocus.com/. |
