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Global Warming.. NOT Stamp by *Kezzi-Rose:iconKezzi-Rose:

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©2008-2009 *Kezzi-Rose
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Global Warming: The Convenient Truth

:bulletwhite: Disclaimer
This article contains my own personal view, shared by many thousands of top scientists and backed up along the way with evidence from various sources. If you feel initially angered by or confused about the above stamp's slogan, or are simply interested in my side of the discussion, please feel free to read on.
If, however, you have no intention of doing so, kindly refrain from posting hateful comments on my main page. Thank you! c:

:bulletwhite: Introduction
Let's face it; we're all bored of hearing about how 'Global Warming' is apparently going to kill us all, and how it's all our fault.
But is it really?
How do we know for sure that it's our fault?
How do we know for sure that we can stop climate change, if it really is happening?
This article will hopefully challenge some of the views you already have on this subject, making you more aware of contradicting evidence or perhaps simply adding to your previous knowledge.
There is a flipside to everything; and in the case of 'Global Warming', it's a big one.

:bulletwhite: What A Load Of Hype
You've probably heard this a lot from sceptics, but media hype is the root of all fear about global temperatures. Here is the simple proof:

Just as the weather has changed over time, so has the reporting – blowing hot or cold with short-term changes in temperature.

Following the ice age threats in papers from the late 1800s, fears of an imminent and icy catastrophe were compounded in the 1920s by Arctic explorer Donald MacMillan and an obsession with the news of his polar expedition. As the Times put it
on Feb. 24, 1895, "Geologists Think the World May Be Frozen Up Again.".

Those concerns lasted well into the late 1920s. But when the earth's surface warmed less than half a degree, newspapers and magazines responded with stories about the new threat. Once again the Times was out in front, cautioning "the earth is steadily growing warmer."

Following this, there were TWO MORE changes in the public view; fears of an ice age again, then eventually the current view that the Earth is warming.
In all, the print news media have warned of four separate climate changes in just over 100 years; global cooling, warming, cooling again, and warming.

Notice a pattern?

You may say that we are the most technologically advanced we've ever been right now, so have the 'right answer'; but surely that's what we would have thought at all these points in the past, too?

~ Click here for source of info.

:bulletwhite: So What Is Actually Happening?
Depending upon whether or not you like to jump on media bandwagons, you'll have different opinions on this question.
The scientists certainly don't seem to be able to make up their minds on the subject!
The documented data records a temperature rise of half a degree in the middle of the last century, which dropped back down after 1998, "the hottest year on record".
But NASA has recently corrected these figures, and the above data is now considered invalid.

:bulletwhite: Why Was NASA's Data Wrong?
A scientist called Steve McIntyre, who was working with a team to assess problems with US temperature data, noticed a strange discontinuity, or "jump" in many locations, all occurring around the time of January 2000, while inspecting historical temperature graphs (such as the one here).

These graphs were created by NASA scientists, and show a bug in the handling of the raw data when reverse-engineered by McKintyre. McKintyre notified NASA of the bug; they replied and acknowledged the problem as an "oversight" that would be fixed in the next data refresh.

NASA has now silently released corrected figures, and the changes are truly astounding. The warmest year on record is now 1934. 1998 (long trumpeted by the media as record-breaking) moves to second place. 1921 takes third. In fact, 5 of the 10 'warmest years on record' now all occur before World War II.

Remember that records only began in 1850, so the time period studied is only just over 150 years. Compare this to the length of time humans have lived on Earth... it's really nothing to go by in the first place.

~ Click here for source of info.

:bulletwhite: It's Only Natural
It's pretty obvious that these temperature fluctuations on our planet are completely normal. The temperature changed dramatically long before we started large-scale burning of fossil fuels; for example, temperatures just over 300 years ago were so low that the River Thames froze over, in the period known as the Little Ice Age. Additionally, the Medieval Warm Period (between 800 and 1300AD) is documented as having much higher temperatures than today.
And guess what? Humans survived those without air conditioning or central heating.
Hype over a half a degree rise in the last century is, in comparison, frankly pathetic. The climate right now is quite obviously more stable than it's been in a long time.

Evidence for higher and lower temperatures before records began comes from diaries, drawings, scientific notes & other literature from the time; for example Chaucer and documents detailing events such as the Ice Fayre on the River Thames.

This graph was created by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 1990.

:bulletwhite: So Doesn't Carbon Dioxide Cause Warming?
In short; no.

We're all well-aware of the famous 'Greenhouse Effect' that contributes towards keeping our planet warm by trapping heat. When we hear the term 'greenhouse gas', the first example that springs to mind, thanks to the media, is carbon dioxide.
But did you know that water vapour is the most abundant greenhouse gas by far and accounts for the largest percentage of the greenhouse effect, between 36% and 70%?
Carbon dioxide, by the way, only accounts for 9%; and there is much, much less of it. Any increase would have very little effect, especially the miniscule rise of 78ppmv that we have experienced in the past century.

~ Click here for source of info.

:bulletwhite: But Carbon Dioxide Levels Follow Temperature Rise!
Most of you have probably seen this graph, which clearly shows a tight correlation between temperature and carbon dioxide. The initial conclusions from this graph were that temperature follows carbon dioxide; but first of all, just take a look at the levels for the present day. Carbon dioxide, the red line, has absolutely shot up; yet temperature, the blue line, has remained constant. Surely, if temperature was affected in any way by CO2 levels, the blue line too would have shot up? In addition, closer study of the graph's raw data by scientists showed that temperature definitely moved first, with CO2 levels lagging slightly behind. So temperature rose, and levels of carbon dioxide followed. From these two findings, one of which being blatantly obvious, it is clear there is another reason for the correlation. As the entire Global Warming theory pretty much hinges on this graph, it is very important that people realise these flaws; especially as one is staring you right in the face.

~ Click here for source of info.

:bulletwhite: But How Is This Possible?
A huge amount of carbon dioxide is stored in the sea; absorbed from the air. As temperature rises, more seawater evaporates along with the stored carbon dioxide. This increases carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.

:bulletwhite: But Humans Are Definitely Contributing to CO2 Levels!
Yes, we are; but only by a tiny amount. The total concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is currently 385ppmv after a rise of 78ppmv in the last century. On the graph I shared above, it is clear we have increased the level well beyond the norm; but remember that the scale is extremely tiny, and there is no evidence that it has had any effect on temperature whatsoever.
While this may well be partly due to humans, think about the natural causes for this. If temperature has risen slightly, then CO2 levels will have followed. In addition, there have been several violent volcanic eruptions in this time; for example Mt. St. Helens in 1980 and Pinatubo in 1993.
Volcanoes release more than 130 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year, plus the occasional huge explosion, so they may be largely to blame for this rise.

:bulletwhite: So What IS Causing Temperatures To Rise?
If your house started to get too hot or cold, your first response would be to check the central heating, as this is the source of heat.
Strangely, though, this hasn't been the case with the 'Global Warming' theory; as the Sun hasn't really been called into question, despite the fact it is our source of heat.
It simply makes sense that a change in solar output would affect temperatures on our planet; and there is plenty of evidence to suggest this is indeed the case.

:bulletwhite: Solar Output & Historic Temperatures
Sunspots (areas of high solar output) have been recorded since 1600AD (first by Galileo through his telescope). This graph shows the number of sunspots recorded over time, from 1600 to the present day. As you can see, there has been an upwards trend in the last century. The blue section, known as the Maunder Minimum, was the time period in which hardly any sunspots were recorded. This correlates EXACTLY with the Little Ice Age.
Carbon-14 isotopes are used as a proxy for solar activity prior to 1600 AD, and they indicate a high level of solar activity during the Medieval period; which would have resulted in the climatic warmth they experienced at this time.

~ Click here for source of info.

:bulletwhite: The Carbon-14 Isotope Results
Using this isotope, which is also used for carbon dating, scientists have been able to map out solar activity all the way back to nearly 800AD. This evidence clearly supports the temperature trends seen through history; even backing up Global Warming Campaigners that we are seeing 'vastly accelerated' warming now. It's all the Sun's fault.

Check out this brilliant site, which gives even further evidence about the Sun causing all temperature change on Earth.

~ Click here to view graph.

:bulletwhite: How Do Sunspots Increase 14C & Temperature?
Firstly, sunspots are caused by increased levels of magnetic activity in the Sun. At these times, more highly-charged particles are emitted from the solar surface, and the Sun emits more UV and visible radiation.
Not only does the increased brightness of the Sun tend to warm the Earth, but also the solar wind (a stream of highly energetic charged particles) shields the atmosphere from cosmic rays (emitted by dying stars), which produce 14C. So there is more 14C when the Sun is magnetically quiescent. This explains why 14C samples from independently dated material are used as a way of inferring the Sun's magnetic history.

Interestingly, cosmic rays also create clouds. When they are deflected by the solar wind, fewer clouds form; meaning there is much less protection from the Sun's heat, and more of it reaches the Earth's surface (as clouds reflect much of the Sun's radiation back into space).

~ Click here for source of info.

:bulletwhite: So If It's Not Our Fault, Can We Stop The Earth Warming?
Again, in short; no.

It would be extremely big-headed of us to even dream that we, as a race, could have any effect on the climate whatsoever. In addition, seeing as we aren't the problem, we can't exactly do anything to prevent climatic change.

Anyway, what's so bad about the climate changing? It has ALWAYS been changing, and humans have ALWAYS survived. There is absolutely NO evidence to suggest that the climate is changing more violently than in the past.

There is absolutely NO reason for all the panic.

:bulletwhite: What About The Melting Ice Caps?
We've all seen the dramatic videos and pictures of melting ice; but the fact is, that's all propaganda. The ice caps naturally shrink and grow every decade, as shown by satellite imaging. In addition, the Seasonal Melt happens every year. This kind of entirely ordinary event is the source of those dramatic images. As for the "poor polar bears"; they survived the Medieval Warm Period, when the Arctic Ocean was completely free of ice (we know this because the unblocked seas allowed the Vikings access to settle on Greenland, where they grew crops - impossible today).
In addition to this, research carried out by one of the world's leading experts on polar bears, Dr Mitchell Taylor, has shown that polar bear numbers are higher than they've been in decades. So, there's no need to fuss about our furry friends, because they are obviously not being harmed at all; on the contrary, they are thriving. What's disgusting is that this man was barred from attending a conference of the Polar Bear Specialist Group just because he doesn't believe in the Global Warming theory. It's sickening that sceptics, despite the fact most are extremely competant scientists, are discriminated against in this way.
~ Click here for source of info.

The Greenland ice shelf itself is melting at the rate of 20 millimetres (less than an inch) per century, according to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. At that rate (which will not continue due to constantly fluctuating temperatures), it'll melt in 1.5 million years (a very long time). And the Arctic, much larger than Greenland, is gaining - not losing – ice, as recent evidence has shown; during last year, an area twice the size of Germany was added. You may well have heard or read about this since it leaked out.

Look at this image, for example. Poor polar bears, stranded on the melting ice... not. They swim out from the main shelf to these icebergs and sit there having a great time. Icebergs make fantastic fishing spots for our polar friends. Do you really think they've just been standing there for years while the ice melts around them? How silly.
It's called propaganda, and millions of people worldwide are falling victim to it; forgetting they have their own brains.

Antarctica, however, is currently experiencing some melting; but this is due to increased radiation through the Ozone Hole, situated directly above it. As CFC use is now zero, this problem is not expected to persist past 2050, when ozone levels will return to normal.

~ Click here for source of info.

:bulletwhite: So Are You Saying We Should Do Nothing?
Absolutely not. The really great thing about the 'Global Warming' hype is that it's made people, in general, much more concerned about the environment. Landfill site is rapidly running out; hundreds of animal and plant species (which could potentially hold the key to cures for diseases such as cancer) are going extinct every year; we’re rapidly running out of fuels; the rainforest is being depleted; pollution is causing lung disease and other illnesses, as well as harm to wildlife... the list goes on. And something DOES need to be done about these issues. Therefore it's fantastic that people have become more aware of these problems and are starting to try and solve them. My family always recycles the glass and metal we use; and I find it very frustrating that there are no plastic recycling facilities where I live. We support the local organic farm by purchasing a vegetable crate from them every week (which cuts down on packaging), and this month we plan to start composting all vegetable waste in the garden, so we can grow fruit in the summer. It's very important that communities and families become more self-sufficient, relearning forgotten skills so that we can cope with the impending fuel crisis. You'd be surprised how reliant we are on oil; not just for fuel, but for everyday things such as plastics, soaps, perfumes, and even some items of clothing. My family is no longer using plastic bags at the supermarket (which we used to reuse anyway) ~ we've invested in Fairtrade cotton organic bags, which last ages. I'm also going to be learning how to make soaps and shampoos out of more natural ingredients. You should try this, too; it all ensures our lives are less reliant on oil so that we can cope when the crisis worsens.

:bulletwhite: So What's Your Problem?
As I've explained, CO2 cannot be the cause for temperature rise. Restrictions have been put upon every country as to how much CO2 they can release. You might think that this will help the environment anyway, despite the fact it's not causing climate change; but you couldn't be more wrong.

:bulletwhite: Why Are CO2 Restrictions A Bad Idea?
First of all, the restrictions are unbalanced; for example, the USA and UK are allowed to release MUCH more than the entire continent of Africa is.

Why? Perhaps this is because we release more in the first place, but nevertheless, this is an unfair policy.

The release of carbon dioxide is ESSENTIAL for a country to develop, as industry outputs a lot. For countries in places like Africa who are stuck in poverty, these restrictions will simply keep them there, trapped in a vicious cycle as they have no means of development.

We've had our chance to develop, and now that we're successful, we're snatching that chance away from others.

It's simply NOT FAIR.

And how are we claiming to be helping them? Selling them solar panels. How on Earth do we expect them to run factories on solar panels? In a case study I watched not long ago, a small doctor's surgery in rural sub-saharan Africa was sold two solar panels at extortionate prices by a European organisation. Despite the high sunshine levels, these panels only provided enough energy to power either the lightbulb or the medicine fridge at any one time. It's disgraceful and insulting.

In addition to that, plant life grows 25% faster when exposed to higher levels of CO2. Because of the rate of deforestation today, we NEED these high rates of plant growth in order to replenish our forests, which are essential in terms of Earth's biological and atmospheric cycles.
If, for whatever reason, you still believe CO2 causes temperature rise, the increased plant life would absorb this in order to bring about an equilibrium. This could be one of the reasons why warming in the past hasn't continued at a massive geometric rate; it has always slowed and decreased.

This could be one of Earth's natural methods of combating temperature rise, and we should definitely let it happen if that is the case.

~ Click here for source of info.

:bulletwhite: So What Do You Think We Should Do?
Seeing as there is no real evidence backing up the idea that CO2 causes climate change, focus should be shifted from reducing those emissions so that money can be spent on reducing actual pollutants, recycling anything that can be recycled, finding renewable resources, afforestation and projects that will help increase the quality of life in countries that are already being affected by drought and starvation.
:bulletwhite: In Conclusion
At present, the First World Governments are spending millions of pounds each year to reduce a gas which is feared, despite no supporting evidence and strong contradicting evidence, to cause climate change (involving possible drought and starvation) in the future.

But let's look at this sensibly.

People are starving NOW.
Animals & plants are going extinct NOW.
Resources are being depleted NOW.

To be honest, we have other, PROVEN things to worry about; and reducing CO2 levels will just make them worse.

:bulletwhite: Do Many Scientists Support This View?
YES.
In fact, a petition was begun urging the Government to reject the recent Global Warming Agreements in 1998 (and is still in action), and so far has been signed by over 31,000 scientists (over 9,000 have PhDs).

~ Click here for more information on the worldwide Petition Project!

:bulletwhite: Thank You For Reading
I hope you've found this article interesting, and that it's made you think more about what really matters in our world at the moment.
Hopefully I've managed to put the real problems into perspective!

CHILL OUT. c:

:whisper: Psst.. remember to check out the rest of my stamp collection; there are guaranteed to be more you like! ♥

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January 2, 2008
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