And if the temperature of the planet is reversed, how is it stopped from going beyond 'normal' to global cooling. And then how is the global temperature stabilized and maintained? Is there a thermostat somewhere that does this and who sets it - Al Gore?
Weatherman
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There is no normal temperature, as the earth goes through cycles of warming/cooling.
However we are significantly above what would be expected for the current part of the earth cycle that we are in.
As for bravozulus ludicrous comment about the sea being able to absorb any CO2 increase in the air, it is already absorbing extra CO2, is acidifying, and killing marine life. But that's obviously a minor detail, and insignificant, when used to try to discredit AGW - Who cares if all the fish die, we can just breed more cattle - oops we don't have room for that do we.
David
The problem with global warming is not that we will reach a temperature that will destroy all life on this planet. There is, as you note, no "normal" temperature.
But the fact of the matter is, this is the temperature in which modern human civilization has evolved. It is the temperature in which we have laid our farmland, built our cities and defined our coastlines. Any change, up or down, would mean extremely expensive measures to mitigate and adapt to this change. The costs of such adaptations would be far higher than reducing emissions now by switching to another energy source--which, since fossil fuels are a finite resource, will need to be done in the next 100 or so years anyway.
And by the way, here is a link to a report that outlines 125 errors in the report that bravozulo referred you to:
http://altenergyaction.org/Monckton.html
Anonymous
Hi thud.fan,
The global warming is a fact. Recently a formidable Iceberg broken from "Antartida" and is a danger for the maritime transport. The level of sea water is increasing constantly. A respectful "vidente" man from Brazil told to the press two years ago that NZ and many Pacific Island and other countries close to Pacific Ocean will disappear around 2037 covered by water as result of global warming. I prefer not believe in this prediction because it is not a product of scientific study. But the effects of global warming is absolutely real. The normally temperature of the earth is normally less than the actual situation in all the earth. I don't know the exact number, but this is a fact not to difficult to know correctly with the specialist scientists in this area. I think is important that all the world citizens do an effort to create conscience in their leaders, to support all the necessary actions to stop the "attack" to the
atmosphere with pollution, etc.
We can support also, with important question like yours that permit to develop a dialog regarding this important subject.
Regards,
rony19.
antarcticice
Any climate scientist will tell you the Earth has no average best temperature it has been much cooler and much warmer in the past. Depending on a number of variables like orbit, solar output, and atmospheric greenhouse gases. We know the output of the Sun for the last thirty years, it is not responsible for the temperature rise over that period.
Anonymous
Learn some science before you make political remarks.
Consider this: the Moon and and the earth are both the same distance from the sun and get the same heat and light.
Yet on the moon the temperature varies from far below zero to above the boiling of water depending on if the surface is in sun or shadow.
Ever wonder why?
Mars is farther from the sun but very very cold. More than you would expect from its distance.
Venus is so hot lead on the surface melts. True it is closer to the sun, but not that much closer.
The temperature is set by the balance of heat and light in, and heat and light out.
Guess what sets that balance. The Atmosphere and the kinds of gases in it.