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OP-ED: Is global warming a hoax?
by Miles Ketchum
Op-Ed | 3/4/08
Posted online at 1:48 AM EST on 3/4/08
/ Last updated at 7:04 PM EST on 3/4/08
The global warming scare has become the latest entry in a long list of memes that have infected our culture. Whether or not the Earth's climate change is anthropogenic or natural is far from being supported with conclusive scientific evidence.
Three decades ago, global cooling was viewed as a threat to the world's climate (see Newsweek, April 28, 1975). Global cooling came about as a misinterpretation of scientific data that the media subsequently blew out proportion. While the jury is still out on global warming, the possibility that the theory could be absolutely incorrect is very real, yet hardly acknowledged.
An often-touted figure goes something like this: "A search of the peer-reviewed literature turns up X number of papers supporting the global warming theory and none against."
This is alarming on many levels. It shows that not only are alternative theories not being investigated, but that the current scientific environment is geared toward rooting out all opposition to "the majority."
Global warming as an institution has decided on the conclusion before gathering the evidence. Apparently, the scientific method has no place in this debate.
Many passionate global warming supporters vilify the ever-increasing percentage of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere as a result of human activities.
But carbon dioxide composes less than 1 percent of the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. This is where the lack of science comes into this debate. It has never been conclusively proven that increased carbon dioxide is directly related to a warmer atmosphere.
That's not even the end of the carbon dioxide story. It's not hard to find a graph showing that carbon dioxide levels and temperature track fairly nicely throughout geological history.
The time scales on these graphs, however, are usually on the order of several millennia. The famous hockey stick plot is on the century scale, with the sharp increase occurring over the last century. Comparing a modest increase in carbon dioxide levels due to human activities with the Earth's cyclic, natural variations that play out over many thousands of years is just absurd.
Three decades ago, global cooling was viewed as a threat to the world's climate (see Newsweek, April 28, 1975). Global cooling came about as a misinterpretation of scientific data that the media subsequently blew out proportion. While the jury is still out on global warming, the possibility that the theory could be absolutely incorrect is very real, yet hardly acknowledged.
An often-touted figure goes something like this: "A search of the peer-reviewed literature turns up X number of papers supporting the global warming theory and none against."
This is alarming on many levels. It shows that not only are alternative theories not being investigated, but that the current scientific environment is geared toward rooting out all opposition to "the majority."
Global warming as an institution has decided on the conclusion before gathering the evidence. Apparently, the scientific method has no place in this debate.
Many passionate global warming supporters vilify the ever-increasing percentage of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere as a result of human activities.
But carbon dioxide composes less than 1 percent of the greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. This is where the lack of science comes into this debate. It has never been conclusively proven that increased carbon dioxide is directly related to a warmer atmosphere.
That's not even the end of the carbon dioxide story. It's not hard to find a graph showing that carbon dioxide levels and temperature track fairly nicely throughout geological history.
The time scales on these graphs, however, are usually on the order of several millennia. The famous hockey stick plot is on the century scale, with the sharp increase occurring over the last century. Comparing a modest increase in carbon dioxide levels due to human activities with the Earth's cyclic, natural variations that play out over many thousands of years is just absurd.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 32
Steve
posted 3/04/08 @ 6:26 AM EST
Justice somehow sinks to a new low, yet a again. Alumnus scientist wonders why he reads this crap. Film at 11.
James Sanders
posted 3/04/08 @ 11:06 AM EST
"Even your local weather man incorrectly predicts on a daily basis." Yes, you are absolutely right. Which is why over the last several months when he predicted several inches snow, I knew he was absolutely wrong wore shorts the next day knowing that it will be a sunny day. (Continued…)
Paul Trusten, R. Ph., '73
posted 3/04/08 @ 11:11 AM EST
As a former New Englander, I have never opposed global warming. Each morning in Maine that I unplugged my car from the wall outlet and exhaled to remove the ice from my nostrils, I prayed for global warming to come. (Continued…)
James Sanders
posted 3/04/08 @ 11:14 AM EST
"The root causes of global warming are far from confirmed, but one wouldn't know it if he sampled the popular press." You forgot to mention the unpopular scientific magazines too. (Continued…)
Jordan Vermeer
posted 3/05/08 @ 10:36 AM EST
Sanders,
Could you back up your points? Otherwise I don't believe you. Nothing personal.
Bob Gnarly
posted 3/05/08 @ 10:46 AM EST
Although I agree with the view of the article, I disagree with the particulars. The author is incorrect (as is one of the commenters) when they state there are no opposing scientific articles providing facts that disprove the AGW hoax. (Continued…)
Alex
posted 3/05/08 @ 11:03 AM EST
It's good to see that college campi are still places where some actual thought, logic, and reason can flourish.
Bravo Mr. Ketchum for a brilliant (yet obvious) analysis of the "man-is-the-cause-of-global-warming" bandwagon parade. (Continued…)
Mark Hladik
posted 3/05/08 @ 11:37 AM EST
Just as an adjunct, did anyone see any news coverage of the four major climate monitoring centers (Hadley, U. Ala. Hunstville, NASA GISS.....), all of whom show a decline in average global temperatures over the past twelve months?
This on the heels of a decade (1999 - 2008) wherein average global temperatures (as measured by MSU) remained relatively flat. (Continued…)
Emily
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:05 PM EST
I think this presents a valid concern. However, I want to address a few key issues.
1) It is a common misconception, and one I suffered from for a while, that 'global warming' implies a warming of the earth's temperatures only. (Continued…)
Dr. Chemical
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:35 PM EST
Good column. I support your courage. I hope the PC police don't get you. Interesting that this is the coldest year in a while. I wonder if the sun has anything to do with it instead of a change in 0. (Continued…)
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