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Contents Foreword Introduction (Theme: The history of global warming research and and role of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)). Chapter 1: Is Global Warming a Real Problem? Chapter Overview Jeff Severns Guntzel It is indisputable that humans are releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, adding to the “greenhouse effect.” but for decades there has been a debate inside the scientific community about what the consequences will be for the planet. Yes: Global Warming Is a Real Problem Scientists Have Reached a Consensus About Global Warming Sandy Doughton Although most scientists originally did not believe in global warming, every major scientific body to examine the evidence in recent years has concluded that the planet is getting hotter due to human activities, and that it is to get worse. The United Nations Says the Evidence on Global Warming Is Unequivocal Environmental News Service The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, IPCC, in a 2007 report, concluded that changes in the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, glaciers, and ice caps show unequivocally that the Earth is warming as a result of human activities. Global Warming Deniers Are Politically Motivated and Funded by Oil Corporations Chris Mooney Conservative think tanks, many funded by the oil company ExxonMobil, are trying to undermine scientific evidence about global warming with a disinformation campaign in order to promote their pro-business and anti-regulation political agenda. No: Global Warming Is Not a Real Problem There Is No Scientific Consensus on Global Warming Lawrence Solomon Many distinguished scientists question the findings of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that the science is settled on the issue of climate change, but the issue does deserve further study. Claims About Global Warming Are Based on Junk Science Richard Lindzen Claims that global temperatures have risen, that the levels of carbon dioxide have increased, and that these carbon levels cause global warming do not support predictions of a global catastrophe, but dissenting scientists who speak out are intimidated and denied funding. There Is Little Public Consensus on Global Warming the Pew Research Center Chapter 2: Is Global Warming Caused by Human Activities? Chapter Preface Yes: Global Warming Is Caused by Human Activities Leading Scientists Are Certain That Global Warming Is Caused by Human Activities Lisa Bryant In a 2007 report released by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), leading climate scientists from 113 countries say that human activities, such as use of fossil fuels like oil and gas and agricultural activities, are the principal cause of rising temperatures. Mounting Evidence Supports the View That Global Warming Is Caused by Human Activities Andrea Thompson All science is fallible, but earlier predictions that greenhouse gas emissions would cause carbon dioxide to build up in the atmosphere and cause noticeable changes by the year 2000 have been borne out by numerous studies. Conservatives Must Accept the Reality That Human Activities Cause Global Warming Jim Manzi It is no longer possible to deny that human activities are causing global warming, and conservatives must accept this reality: the real question is how much temperatures will rise and what should be done about it. No: Global Warming Is Not Caused by Human Activities Global Warming Is the Result of Natural Forces Bob Carter Global warming is not caused by human activities but rather by natural fluctuations in temperature; in fact, since 1998 global temperatures have remained stable despite our continuing release of greenhouse gases. Evidence Supports the Claim That Global Warming Trends Are Caused By Solar Changes Nick Calder The main rival climate change hypothesis—that global warming is the result of a hyperactive sun—is supported by evidence that Antartica is getting colder and that overall global temperatures have leveled off since 1999. Some Scientists Believe a Cooling Trend Is More Likely Than Global Warming Kate Ravilious Data showing that Mars is also warming suggests that the current global warming on Earth is being caused by changes in the sun rather than greenhouse gases, and this warming is expected to drop and cause a steep cooling of the Earth in 15 to 20 years. Chapter 3: What Are the Potential Threats from Global Warming? Chapter Preface Global Warming Will Cause Severe Effects for the Environment in All Regions of the World Jürg Rohrer An April 2007 report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts that the consequences of global warming will be severe and will include: increased deaths from heat waves, floods, and droughts; more forest fires; water shortages; decreased biological diversity; higher sea levels; reductions in agricultural yields; and the reemergence of diseases such as malaria. By 2050, Global Warming Could Cause the Extinction of More Than a Million Species Shaoni Bhattacharya Unless current carbon emissions are significantly reduced, scientists predict that climate change will drive a quarter of plants and animals to the edge of extinction by 2050. Global Warming is Destroying Our Oceans Canada and the World Backgrounder There are many signs that the oceans—the world’s biggest ecosystem—is sick, and many problems, such as the dying off of the coral reefs and a sharp decline in plankton, are likely caused by global warming. Global Warming Will Likely Bring a Rise in Infectious Diseases American Society for Microbiology As the Earth’s temperatures rise, scientists expect to see changes in infectious disease patterns, such as an increase in cases of malaria, year-round influenza, and an increased transmission of a variety of other diseases. Global Warming May Cause Food Shortages Martin Mittelstaedt Agricultural experts are increasingly worried that global warming may cause food shortages, especially in developing countries, because the world’s most widely eaten grains—rice, wheat, and corn—are very sensitive to higher temperatures. Global Warming Could Cause Resource Wars Brad Knickerbocker Many military experts see global warming as a “threat multiplier”—a factor that could intensify instability and conflict around the world by creating pressures—such as water shortages, food insecurity, disease, and flooding—on some of the world’s most fragile governments. Global Warming Could Make the Earth Unlivable for Humans Dale Allen Pfeiffer Some prominent scientists worry that once the atmosphere has warmed past some unknown trigger point, the planet may undergo rapid climate change that could push temperatures beyond the point that would be hospitable for human life. Chapter 4: What Action Should Be Taken to Reduce Global Warming? Chapter Preface The United Nations Calls for Urgent International Action on Global Warming Environmental News Service Following reports that conclude that the evidence on global warming is unequivocal, the United Nations is urging member nations to take decisive action and agree on a global plan to reduce human carbon emissions. The United States Must Reduce Its Carbon Emissions by 80 Percent by 2050 Emily Robinson To prevent dangerous temperature increases, the United States must decrease its carbon emissions by 80 Percent by mid-century—a goal that will require new policies for mandatory emissions caps, less-polluting cars, renewable energy sources, and anti-deforestation measures. An Energy Revolution Is Needed to Create a Sustainable Energy System Greenpeace International and European Renewable Energy Council A complete change in the way that energy is produced and consumed is needed to phase out unsustainable energy sources, implement renewable energy solutions, protect the environment, and decouple economic growth from reliance on fossil fuels. Individuals Can Also Help Reduce Global Warming Larry West Individuals can reduce the demand for fossil fuel energy, and help reduce global warming, by taking actions such as recycling, installing home insulation, using compact fluorescent light bulbs, driving less, buying energy-efficient appliances, using less hot water and electricity, and planting trees. New Technologies May Reduce Global Warming Robert J. Samuelson Given the world’s growing population and the need to sustain global economic growth, and even assuming that governments shift to nuclear and renewable energy sources, the reality is that temperature will still increase significantly by 2050. Most Americans Believe Immediate Government Action on Global Warming Is Unnecessary Jon Cohen and Gary Langers Six in ten Americans accept that human activities are causing global warming, but few think it will affect their own lives, and a majority believe further study instead of immediate government action is necessary to deal with the problem. Humans Must Learn to Adapt to Global Warming Roger A. Pielke, Jr. Efforts to reduce carbon emission will not have any perceptible effect for decades, so adaptation to global warming is a far more effective approach and should be considered by global warming policy advocates. Organizations to Contact Bibliography Index
Library of Congress Subject Headings for this publication:
Global warming.