Record Warming and Poor Polar Bears

[monk222]

♠
“New international climate data show that 2005 is on track to be the hottest year on record, continuing a 25-year trend of rising global temperatures.”

-- Juliet Eilperin, "World Temperatures Keep Rising With a Hot 2005" for The Washington Post

In light of such evidence, including "the record shrinkage of the Arctic sea ice cover and unprecedented high ocean temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico," Monk marvels over the obstinacy of those who refuse to take active steps to address the problem.

Climatologist George Taylor is among those who stand on the issue of absolute scientific certitude, that is, we should not feel compelled to do anything active as a matter of policy unless and until we know that the warming is due to human-induced factors rather than a natural cycle of warming. Monk is not a scientist, but he cannot help but feel that such voices must be on the corporate payroll. One is reminded of the way the tobacco companies kept denying that cigarettes are addictive and cancerous. Even if we are in the midst of a natural warming, is it insensible to exercise better command over what we can control, so as not to exacerbate the warming?

To excerpt the other side:

'Several scientists said yesterday that Earth's rapid warming could become self-perpetuating as the buildup of heat in the air, on land and in the sea accelerates. Ted A. Scambos, the lead scientist at the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Boulder, Colo., said the shrinkage of sea ice in the Arctic makes it more likely that the region will warm faster, because open water absorbs much more heat from the sun than snow and ice.

'"Change is really happening in the Arctic. We're going to see this again and again,” Scambos said. He added that, because the Arctic helps keep global temperatures down, any warming there can mean "you're going to change [the world's] climate significantly.”

'..."The polar bear's a harbinger of what's to come. It's the first animal to be threatened with extinction by climate change, but it won't be the last," said NRDC attorney Andrew Wexler. He noted that polar bears cannot adapt well to rising temperatures because they are dependent on sea ice for survival.'

But we have seen the more upbeat side to global warming and how life goes on. Are polar bears a necessity? I would not want one in my neighborhood on the loose and free. Well, we shall see...

xXx

Comments

[hardblue.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I wouldn't say they are lying or even incorrect; rather, it is insisting on absolute certitude. I'm also not insensitive to economic concerns, as I imagine that there are moderate measures to curb critical emissions without destroying businesses.

[hardblue.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that you got to that earlier article. I can see how might especially appreciate it, as it does sing of individual liberty and enterprise.

As for the icon... I usually do not know the origins of these kids' creations, as I'm rather estranged from the tumult of pop culture. I take 'em at face value. A lot of nice work!

[miss-next.livejournal.com]

My attitude is this: we actually don't yet have enough evidence, but nonetheless I think it would be criminally irresponsible to carry on as we are doing. In other words, there is honest doubt, but the global warming theory should be given the benefit of it, for two reasons: first of all, if it's correct, we need to halt it now before it's too late, and secondly it's a darned good idea to reduce air pollution irrespective of any climatic effects it may have. (I speak with some feeling, as I suffered a lot of respiratory illness when I lived near the city centre.)

The reason for my doubt is that I'm more familiar with long-term climate changes than the average person. I know, for instance, that the Romans were not shivering on Hadrian's Wall, as many school textbooks seem to imply; Britain had a much warmer climate in those days. The Romans, in fact, were having trouble with malaria as far north as York. More recently (ie in the last 500 years) Europe and Asia - and presumably America too - were in the grip of a mini Ice Age. Without any human intervention, the climate does fluctuate pretty massively in the long term.

But, having said all that, I'm with the polar bears. I don't adapt well to rising temperatures either...

[hardblue.livejournal.com]

I'm with you, though I cannot put the case nearly as well and informed as you do.

And don't worry, I'm sure we cannot let you go extinct! ;)