Global Warming: The Myths, Mirth and the Facts

Global warming is quite a big topic lately. You’ve probably heard many stories detailing its effects, such as the melting of the polar icecaps and the reluctance of the US to adhere to rules and help stop it. For those of you who haven’t (or have enjoyed living under that VERY thick rock), global warming is the rise of atmospheric temperature – meaning the world is getting hotter and the water is drying out. But how much of what you’ve learned is true? And how much of it is relevant to you? This article will sort through some of the myths, the figures and the facts and deliver to the reader what they really want to know.

Myth: Global warming is caused mainly by carbon dioxide.

This is the most commonly perpetuated myth, and the most easily debunked. Global warming cannot solely be attributed to CO2 – CO2 is a greenhouse gas, part of the same family as methane, ozone and even water vapour (Each of which is just as common a cause). In fact, double the amount of water vapour is released than carbon dioxide and it usually amounts to roughly 35-70% of the total greenhouse gas emission. Although much of this stems from natural creation that the Earth needs to survive, a good deal of it is produced in excess of the recommended amount.

Mirth: Only burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases.

This is highly amusing to many, because most people believe it and campaign to have fossil fuel power stations shut down and replaced with cleaner, renewable forms of energy. Although this is a very good idea (Renewables are cleaner, generally cheaper and fossil fuels are running out), fossil fuel stations are not the only source of greenhouse gases. Aerosols such as deodorant release CFCs into the air, which damage the ozone layer and increase global warming, cows are a substantial producer of methane (as are we) driving releases noxious fumes which are major pollutants and growing rice on paddy fields can release tonnes of methane and other gases. But, as people are unwilling to give up their conveniences such as cars, these major contributors are still everywhere to be found.

Mirth & Myth: Global warming does not pose a serious threat.

This is a very common view in many skeptics, and is also one of the views most opposed by people. If global warming is no threat, why then have several scientific hypotheses concluded that if we continue at the rate we do now the planet will be uninhabitable in 100 years? Why would such thing as the Kyoto Protocol exist (for those not in the know, the regulatory law which states the alloted resource and energy quota of every country in the world)? And if people continue to disregard these warnings, bad things will happen, such as the growth of deserts, drought, alteration of ecosystems, famines, and lots more – bad things!

Fact: You can do something to help.

How, you ask? By doing anything that isn’t wasteful, because the average consumer wastes about seven times their weight in rubbish every year! Everyone can do something! Be a little less wasteful with your aerosols – roll-on deodorant is a good idea. Walk to places every now and then. Turn your thermostat down a degree, and turn your washing machine to 30. Eat different foods – grow more of your own so less is mass-farmed. Whatever you do, if you at least try to help, you can be happy and proud of yourself knowing you helped to ensure a peaceful, happy future for later generations. And who doesn’t want that?