Global warming Thesis Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Global warming - Thesis Example The major controversies surrounding global warming, include - skepticism regarding the change in climate beyond natural variations; questionable evidences against the factors responsible for global warming as well as the likely scope and extent of its impact; effectiveness and validity of the strategies suggested to combat global warming and for reducing carbon footprints; and the estimated size, effect and consequences of the phenomenon. Skeptics have raised serious concerns and questions regarding the scientific consensus about the effects of global warming as well as the adequacy of facts and evidence supporting the theories of global warming. The debates and cynicism regarding the far reaching effects of global warming are large observed among the policy makers and political spheres, rather than within the scientific communities. Furthermore, doubts have also been raised regarding the causes of global warming. According to some the main cause of global warming is yet to be explor ed while others consider it as a natural phenomenon while yet others consider human activities, responsible for the phenomenon. There are various arguments put forward by skeptics, and the same have been rebutted with facts and evidences in the following section, thus further substantiating and reaffirming the fact that global warming is indeed real and not a myth, contrary to rising opinion. Criticisms and Rebuttals: 1. The earth is not warming, instead, it has cooled down over the past decade: According to the skeptics, the earth is not warming, as claimed by the scientists and even if it is, the extent of damage as predicted by them is over exaggerated. They further claim that there exists data / scientific evidence which suggest that the earth is in fact, cooling, rather than warming. It is further stated that the planet was warming during the 20th century but the warming had stopped over a decade ago, and the Earth has been cooling ever since 1998 (Singer & Avery, 2007). This i s supported by the fact that the periods between December 2007 and November 2008 have been the coldest periods of the decade (Singer & Avery, 2007). It is argued that although the earth may not be cooling, but the evidence claiming that the earth is warming, is not credible and holds no relevance. Rebuttal: Although the evidence showing that the average temperature has fallen during the decade holds relevance, but the same, does not prove that the earth is cooling. The differences in temperatures is mostly because of the factors used for comparison, for instance, the year 1998 which was used as a base, was the hottest year of the century. Contrary to the claims made by the skeptics regarding â€Å"cooling of the Earth† the planet never stopped warming. The temperatures during the year 1997 were hotter as compared to that in the year 1995, while 1998 soon surpassed 1997 to become the hottest year of the decade, which in turn was replaced by years 2002 and 2003. According to NA SA, the year 2007 was the hottest year of the century on record. All these reports clearly show that the temperature is constantly rising, with no signs of slowing down (Casper, 2009; Robinson, 2007; Singer & Avery, 2007). 2. Statistics related to surface temperatures are unreliable and are blown out of proportion. The crisis