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Part of the reason some people scorn Global Warming is that there are some pre-e-ety wacky things going around that no-one in their right mind would believe. Thus, the people hear these things and think "Well, they say this is what Global Warming is, and I know this isn't true, so Global Warming doesn't exist." This, believe it or not, is fairly common. If you are not one of these non-believers, don't bother reading this. But otherwise, read on
Myth: Global Warming is uniform. Truth: That is ridiculous!! Areas are warming at all sorts of rates. What the heck, a few are cooling!! I don't claim to be an expert in climatology, but Global Warming is defined, in my opinion, as a general warming of the globe. Some areas are cooling because they are cut off from ocean circulation. What the heck, do you CARE if the middle of Antarctica is cooling?!?!  (1)
-Myth: Well, the upper atmosphere is cooling, so Global Warming CAN'T be happening!! Truth: Ummm. Partly true. I don't claim to be an expert at this, but Physics say that the Upper Atmosphere cools while the Ground temp warms, and do we Really CARE about the Upper Atmosphere!?! Top graph is Upper Atmosphere, bottom is Lower.
-Myth: Global Warming will end the world. Truth: Ridiculous!! It might result in one of the greatest mass extinctions ever, but the world won't blow up in a ball of firey flame!! -Myth: Global Warming is "natural". Truth: Well, here is some data that will rock _that_ theory. The top graph is based on climate models WITHOUT human emissions (HEs) factored in. (Gray line). The bottom graph is based on climate models WITH HEs factored in. (Gray line). On both, the red is actual recorded temperatures.
-Myth: Global Warming won't hurt anything, in fact, it would make your coastal summer vacation resort warmer. Truth: Well, that's true, except your vacation resort is going to ge UNDERWATER... At first glance, the map looks normal. Then you start looking closer... "Hey!! Where's Florida!?!"
Note: This is if every bit of ice on the planet melted, which is a rather extereme outlook, but this IS a fairly good idea... Myth: Well, Global Warming is only 1 degree C above normal, that doesn't sound like much. Truth: Yes, but the ice age was only 8 degrees C below today's temperatures. (0 degrees on the graph) And that was EVERYTHING frozen on the Earth (figuratively speaking).
Myth: CO2 lags, so temperature drives CO2. Truth: There are other factors in play, not just CO2. CO2 is the main one, but there are others, and it only lags by ~800 years, practically nothing compared with the life of the Earth. Also, in the past CO2 has led, and it it taking time for temperature to catch up. For more info, a detailed explanation is here: http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2006/12/22/231145/76 Bibliography (1)- IPCC Climate Change 2001 Synthesis Report p.54 (2)- It's under the graph... I know, it's tiny. (3)- Included in IPCC TAR report. (4)- Modified from USGS DEM maps. (5)- Under Graph
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