Top 5 Common Misconceptions of Climate ChangeOver the last two decades the earth has seen its 10 hottest years since records began in 1873 (1) We can no longer deny it; global warming is a fact. As the evidence continues to manifest before our eyes, arguments have gradually shifted from denial to who, or what, is to blame. This battle of “man-made” vs “naturally occurring” has become the paramount debate as the issue continues to hinder the development of possible solutions to the problem.
"41% of Americans remain skeptical of... climate change" In a recent poll published in March, 2012, Gallup reported that an astounding 41% of Americans remain skeptical of anthropogenic, or man-made, climate change. (2) While this number is down from a previous high of 46% reported in 2010, the number of Americans that believe in anthropogenic climate change too has dropped progressively from a high of 61% in 2007 to only 51% in 2012. What can account for this lack of consensus among the public? This page is an attempt to address concerns of both global warming deniers, as well as those who are skeptical that humankind should be held accountable. Below are the top five common misconceptions of climate change. |
(1) 2008's Place in Warmest Years...
(2) US: Global Warming Views Steady... (3) Leak offers Glimpse of Campaign... (4) Examining the Scientific ... (5) The Scientific Consensus... (6) Difference Between Weather & Climate? (7) How We Know Global Warming is Real and Human Caused, Skeptic Magazine Vol. 17, 2012 (8) Annual Energy Review (9) U.S. Carbon Dioxide Energy Emissions (10) Volcanic versus anthropogenic... (11) Sunspots reaching 1,000-year high (12) Solar activity & climate... (13) Medieval Warm Period (14) What does past climate change tell... (15) How do we know more CO2 is causing... |
"The world is warming due to natural climate variability, it has warmed and cooled drastically long before modern humans were around"
We give this misconception the coveted number one spot because it has some hard science to back
its claim. It is true; the world has gone through variable fluxes in the past that had nothing to do with
human activity—look to the Medieval Warm Period of 950-1250 CE, or the Little Ice Age that
occurred soon after.(13) The climate has swayed to the will of a variety of external changes such as the
solar activity from the sun, which was the case during the Medieval Warm Period, or large volcanic
eruptions that block sunlight thereby cooling the planet. But as James Wight explains, “Climate reacts
to whatever forces it to change at the time; humans are now the dominant force.”(14)
How do we know that global warming is anthropogenic? We need only to look at the plethora of empirical studies from scientists across party lines that are published each year. (15) The dangers of resisting to accept responsibility could very well spell the eventual end to life on this planet. Unlike the fluctuations of the past, our current predicament is not an ebb and flow of warm or cool climate, but a human invention that can only be corrected if we acknowledge that we have to change ourselves. The intricacies of how we go about fixing it is another matter altogether, but if we can align the beliefs of the public with that of experts, perhaps we can work to move the discussion forward.
its claim. It is true; the world has gone through variable fluxes in the past that had nothing to do with
human activity—look to the Medieval Warm Period of 950-1250 CE, or the Little Ice Age that
occurred soon after.(13) The climate has swayed to the will of a variety of external changes such as the
solar activity from the sun, which was the case during the Medieval Warm Period, or large volcanic
eruptions that block sunlight thereby cooling the planet. But as James Wight explains, “Climate reacts
to whatever forces it to change at the time; humans are now the dominant force.”(14)
How do we know that global warming is anthropogenic? We need only to look at the plethora of empirical studies from scientists across party lines that are published each year. (15) The dangers of resisting to accept responsibility could very well spell the eventual end to life on this planet. Unlike the fluctuations of the past, our current predicament is not an ebb and flow of warm or cool climate, but a human invention that can only be corrected if we acknowledge that we have to change ourselves. The intricacies of how we go about fixing it is another matter altogether, but if we can align the beliefs of the public with that of experts, perhaps we can work to move the discussion forward.