FORGOTTEN SCIENCE
The balance of scientific opinion seems to be that there probably HAS been a very slight increase in global temperature in recent years -- though there is also evidence of no change. But it is the CAUSE of any change that is the issue. Is it because mankind has suddenly started putting out a lot of pollutants in recent years -- as the Greenies claim? Given the DECLINE in heavily polluting activities like the once-widespread burning of coal, it seems very unlikely. But THAT is what the "Kyoto" enthusiasts have to prove: That mankind is the influence on global temperature change. And that is precisely what the Greenies CANNOT prove. Why? Because global temperature fluctuations have been going on as far back as we can see, long before modern technology existed, long before even the steam engine. And that NATURAL phenomena cause global temperature change has been known since at least the 1860s. Yes -- 1860s, not 1960s. One of the pioneers of research into global temperature change was Scotsman James Croll, born in 1821. Note this comment about him:
"Croll was the first to suggest that cyclical changes in the shape of the Earth's orbit, from elliptical (which is to say, slightly oval) to nearly circular to elliptical again, might explain the onset and retreat of ice ages. No-one had ever thought before to consider an astronomical explanation for variations in the Earth's weather. Thanks almost entirely to Croll's persuasive theory, people in Britain began to become more responsive to the notion that at some former time parts of the Earth had been in the grip of ice."
More on Croll here
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Many people would like to be kind to others so Leftists exploit that with their nonsense about equality. Most people want a clean, green environment so Greenies exploit that by inventing all sorts of far-fetched threats to the environment. But for both, the real motive is to promote themselves as wiser and better than everyone else, truth regardless.
Comments? Email me here. My Home Page is here or here. For times when blogger.com is playing up, there is a mirror of this site (viewable even in China!) here
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Wednesday, July 07, 2004
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