Global Roasting?

Global warming is a “hot topic” in today’s society. So much hype is created over this issue, that one would think that tomorrow we are all going to melt into a sticky pile of goo because temperatures sky rocketed overnight. Or maybe we should take scuba diving lessons because who knows when the oceans are going to overflow due to melting glaciers? These statements are slightly blown out of proportion, but the issue of global warming creates such emotional frenzy that wild conclusions are reached about the earth’s temperature. But in reality, the earth is not warming to the “degree” that most people think it is. In fact the carbon cycle efficiently regulates the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. In addition, certain regions of the earth might be experiencing a warming trend but world wide temperatures show no increase in temperature, and statistics have shown that the earth is not warming at a rapid rate. Therefore, how is the earth’s temperature controlled? The carbon cycle is responsible for maintaining livable conditions here on earth. This cycle effectively removes carbon so that the greenhouse effect does not damage ecosystems. Carbon is removed through photosynthesis, although a large amount is dissolved in the ocean. Since the earth is 70% water, does not this mean vast quantities of carbon are dissolved? It is true that since the earth is mostly water that only a small amount of photosynthesis will occur on land, but, organisms such as algae that live in water also perform photosynthesis. Natural processes also add carbon to the atmosphere. Respiration by living organisms is mainly how carbon is released. If respiration is the key way in which carbon is “re-circulated” why does not the media tell us to quit breathing? In addition, the carbon cycle is continuous. This cycle is constantly filtering the amount of carbon in the atmosphere and keeping it at a safe level.
Even though the carbon cycle efficiently regulates the amount of carbon in air, some people claim that their area has been experiencing warmer weather. Their region might be warming slightly, but this is not sufficient evidence for global warming. Seasonal temperature difference is normal. If the earth was truly warming, all regions would have higher temperatures. Satellites are the only accurate method of measuring world wide temperatures. Since heat rises, it only seems logical that satellites could provide sound data. When measuring the temperature on the ground, the temperature over the ocean has to be taken into account. It might appear that the temperature on land is increasing, but the majority of the earth is covered by water so, therefore, ocean temperatures must be accounted for. Some natural catastrophes such as volcanoes and wildfires might temporarily heat up an environment, making it appear that global warming is occurring. Some might argue that global warming might be causing these disasters, but in reality such things as wild fires are needed to put carbon back into the air. Without carbon the earth would be very desolate and cold.
With this in mind, statistics have shown that the earth is not abnormally warming. Graphs show that there was about a .5 degree Fahrenheit increase in world wide temps from 1880-1920 (graph taken from “Exploring Creation with Biology 2nd Edition” by Wile and Durnell, pg. 319). Ever since then, temperatures have stayed pretty steady, and have not increased even a degree. If the earth was warming, ecosystems would be experiencing drastic changes. For example, if the ocean heated up it would not be able to absorb carbon, but instead would be releasing it back into the air. If global warming was occurring, the glaciers in Antarctica would be melting, but instead some arctic regions are getting colder.
A common statement that most scientists who support global warming make, is, that a modern lifestyle is the main cause of global warming. They believe that ever since the days of the Industrial Revolution, greenhouse gasses have been increased as a result of burning fuel. This of course, is not true. Exploring Creation with Biology 2nd Edition states:
“A team from Harvard University reviewed over 240 scientific studies on global temperatures in the past, and their research indicates that the earth was significantly warmer between the ninth and fourteenth centuries than it is today. As a result, it is awfully hard to believe that modern burning of fuels is leading to a kind of global warming, as people did not burn nearly as much fuel in the Middle Ages as they do now!” (Wile and Durnell pg. 321)
What scientists fail to say is that carbon is not the primary greenhouse gas. Water vapor is the main gas, with the addition of carbon and methane. Also, the burning of fuels is not the primary way carbon is released into the environment. Respiration is primarily responsible for the carbon in the air, and the burning of fuels only adds a small amount. Ecologists also fail to give all the facts which say that the earth is not warming at a significant rate.
Lastly, all the facts must be considered when studying global warming. To gain accurate data, the earth must be looked at as a whole, not just one area. The carbon cycle and how it works needs to be studied, and lastly statistics showing world wide temps should be considered. So the next time the media screams at you that we are all going to burn up and die as a result of global warming, are you going to believe them?

Oppinion and Reason Essay written by the Anne Girl