Re: Why aren't you Eco-nuts on top of this?
"The green house theory is just that. A theory. At least as it pertains to any signifigant contribution by man. Throughout Earths history, it's poles have shifted, the climate has shifted, all without the help of man."
Yes, so what? Does that mean man has no way of worsening the situation? Do you know what has caused this in the past?
When you say "theory," from whose perspective do you speak? From a scientists view, "theory" and "fact" are basically one in the same. You must be using Reagan's definition. He used it as though it's an opinion.
Don't confuse "the greenhouse theory," with man induced global warming. They are different topics. The greenhouse effect is nothing more than our atmosphere trapping heat near the surface of the Earth. It operates under the same principle as a greenhouse, or an auto with the windows rolled up on a sunny day. Without it, we would not survive, too cold. Radiation gets through the atmosphere, heats the ground, the ground heats the air. The "greenhouse effect," is scientific, not opinion.
Previous climate shifts were still caused by an increase/decrease in greenhouse gases. Volcanic activity releases huge amounts of gases into the atmosphere. Volcanoes have the ability to spew huge amounts of gases such as CO2 into the atmosphere. CO2 is a GH gas. Unlike most other gases in our atmosphere, CO2 has the ability to retain heat. For the Earth's temp to remain stable and not increase, a certain amount of heat must escape back into space. If more is trapped, climate temps increase.
The present amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, is in the determining factor in our daily average temp.
Man induced Global warming comes from industry, auto, etc. putting greenhouse gases into our atmosphere. GH gases such as CO2(carbon dioxide) and CH4(methane). These gases, with others, unlike nitrogen and oxygen have the ability to trap heat. Therefore, more GH gases = more trapped heat=greater temperatures.
How does man increase GH gases in our atmosphere you ask? The biggest, is through the burning of fossil fuels. Again, not an opinion. It stands to reason that if CO2 is released into the atmosphere from the burning of fuel, and CO2 traps heat, we are worsening the effects of global warming.
Whether the increase in greenhouse gases come from nature or man is irrelevant. An increase is not good. It changes the climate. The climate plants and animals have adapted to. Change the climate quickly, and many, including man, may not survive. How many mammoths or sabertooth tigers have you seen lately? Whether man has the ability to survive it, is the only opinion part.
CO2 retains heat, we put CO2 into the atmosphere, thus, temps are increasing. It's a no-brainer. You can deny it all you want, but it's only because you have your head burried in the sand up to your ankles.
