Is it hot out here, or is it just A| Gore?

What poses more of a threat than terrorism? Well, according to V@nity F@ir magazine, global warming. Yes, that’s right. A radical, militant sect of Islam bent on the acquisition of incredibly devastating weapons and the annihilation of all things modern is somehow slightly LESS threatening than the gradual increase of the earth’s temperature over a period of several decades. Really? Fascinating.

I’ve commented on global warming before, but with A| Gore’s new ‘documentary’ on the subject being released this week, I thought it was worth another go around. First of all, given Mr. Gore’s well-documented agenda, we can safely assume that this ‘documentary’ contains all the intellectual honesty of a Michae| Moore hatchet job.

All that said, what bothers me most about the debate on global warming is the fact their isn’t one. If Time M@gazine and V@nity F@ir say it, well, then it must be true, right? Anyone skeptical of global warming, or at least the scope thereof, is quickly dismissed as either a shill for the oil or automotive industries, or a general ignoramus.

The truth is, there are plenty of reasons to be skeptical of such alarmism. Not the least of which is the fact that, thirty years ago, climatologists were clamoring about the coming ice age and how it demanded immediate action before we all froze to death. Granted, it would likely take longer than thirty years for an ice age to ensue, but all indications are that it’s not happening any time soon. Was the debate settled back then? Was anyone who questioned the coming ice age dismissed as an ignorant lunatic?

Now, I’m not saying that I don’t believe the data that the Earth has warmed fractionally over the last several decades. It obviously has. I do, however, become a little skeptical when temperature readings from, say, the 19th century are used and extrapolated out decades or centuries into the future to indicate a looming crisis.

Forgive me for not panicking over a one degree rise in the Earth’s temperature over the last century, but it seems to me that one degree could constitute a rounding error. I mean, maybe Ol’ Smitty McGee didn’t look too closely at his thermometer before he drove his horse and buggy into town to buy his spittoon. You’re telling me we’re going to use such imprecise data to make such precise predictions? Great idea.

There are four main questions that I, and I suspect many other so-called skeptics, have about the issue. First, is it happening? Second, is it as bad as we’re supposed to believe it is? Third, are we affecting as much as we’re supposed to believe? Forth, is there anything we can do about it?

As far as whether the Earth is warming, the obvious answer would seem to be yes. But, the earth is in a constant cycle of warming and cooling. A few million years ago, the earth was a sweltering ball of volcanic activity. Several thousand years ago, most of this continent was under a sheet of ice. Now we’re somewhere in between. All of this took place without the advent of the industrial revolution, the United States, George \/\/. Bush, or the Hummer.

Is it as bad as we’re supposed to believe? If the predictions of the coming ice age are any indication, I’d be inclined to say no. I’ve yet to hear a very convincing argument for the effects of global warming that warrants the kind of alarmism currently being exhibited by the extreme environmentalists. Ok, so the sea levels might rise and weather patterns might change. Such things are not immediate, and would likely allow people time to adapt. Are we supposed to get riled up over climate change simply for the sake of getting riled up over climate change? As I said, most of this continent used to be covered in ice. Is global warming inherently bad?

On the question of whether mankind is affecting global warming, I’m sure we are to some degree. But as I said, I don’t know why that’s necessarily bad. Even if mankind ceased all activity, the earth would likely still be going through a process of warming, though probably at a slower pace. What’s so noble about slightly postponing the inevitable?

Finally, is there anything we can do about it? Almost certainly. Which is the main reason I’m not overly concerned. Even without the ill-conceived and generally ignored Kyo+o Pro+ocol, I’m confident that technological advances will move us away from fossil fuels and thus reduce our ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions and thus reduce our fractional impact on the Earth’s warming cycle.

I’m a little curious to see, however, what’s going to happen when and if we greatly reduce our emissions and the Earth continues to warm. Who will we blame then?

In the mean time, can we please have an honest discussion on this issue? I realize that’s beyond the capacity of most people involved in the debate, but it’s worth a shot.