When life first appeared on our planet, whether by chance or designs, it was possible only because the climate was friendly; it was neither too hot nor too cold. The atmosphere, containing water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other components, acted like the glass panels of a greenhouse, letting the sun's heat in but preventing some of it from escaping, thus warming the planet. If it were not for this greenhouse effect, temperatures at the earth's surface would be far colder than they are, and life as we know it could not exist. Global warming has become an issue of concern because of the perception that increasing greenhouse gases will cause the earth to warm so fast that nature (and humankind) may not be able to adapt to the rapid change. The atmosphere has always acted as a warming blanket around the earth. It is not the warmth of this blanket but the possibility of an abrupt or extreme temperature change that is causing some scientists concern. The popular view of global warming—the "myth"—has developed over the past decade because of predictions of computer climate models. Environmental organizations have taken up the cause and demanded political action. At times the reaction to this view reaches a feverish pitch, generating hysteria. (Ackerman, A.S., O.B. Toon, D.E. Stevens, A.J. Heymsfield, V. Ramanathan, and E.J. Welton. 2000)
What is the global warming myth? It is a scenario of doom that contains certain facts and also certain assumptions: • Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO 2) causes warming of the planet.
• Man's activities are increasing the amount of carbon dioxide.
• The average temperature of the earth has increased approximately 0.5°C (0.9°F) in the last 100 years.
• Global temperature will increase another 1.5-4.5°C (2.7‐ 8.1°F) by sometime in the next century if we do not take drastic measures.
• The predicted results of this warming include melting of the polar ice caps, flooding of coastal cities, massive extinction of species, and the deterioration of civilization as we know it.............
