In recent years, global warming has become a major issue of contention, with some individuals denying its very existence. On the one hand, scientific evidence generated by researchers around the world points towards the reality of man-made climate change; on the other, many people continue to reject the notion. It is important to look at the various arguments that people hold onto in order to dispute the idea that global warming is real, as well as explore the implications of this widespread belief.
Some believe global warming isn’t real because of their own disbelief in the science. They reason that since certain natural phenomena, such as winds and rains, are unpredictable, so too must be climate change. This argument does not take into account how scientists contend that global warming is an accumulation of man-made emissions over a period of time, thus making it a ‘slow-burn’ issue with potential far-reaching implications. There are numerous examples of weather events that have been linked to global warming, such as stronger hurricanes and warmer winters. This proves that even if they are not immediately related to man-made global warming, they are nevertheless affected by the changing temperatures caused by human actions.
Another argument often heard is that the Earth has gone through periods of climate change in the past, and hence, current warming must be part of a natural cycle. While this is true, the rate of global warming has increased exponentially over recent decades, far outpacing what would normally be expected from regular fluctuations caused by the Earth’s natural systems. In fact, a study from 2013 by the U.S. Global Change Research Program revealed that, on average, the planet’s temperature has increased by an estimated 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit between pre-industrial times and now.
What is perhaps most concerning about people believing that global warming isn’t real is the lack of action taken by governments to address the climate crisis. Because of the false rumors and disinformation spread to discredit scientific evidence, citizens are lulled into a false sense of security, believing that global warming is not a major threat and that there is no need to be concerned. This lack of urgency hinders the efforts of those scientists and activists who are actively trying to combat the issue, and could have potentially devastating effects on the future of the planet.
Unfortunately, the issue of global warming continues to be polarizing, with many still doubting its very existence because of misinformation and a lack of understanding of the scientific evidence. That said, it is very important to note that while there is still debate around this issue, the vast majority of scientists agree that climate change is real and happening. Going forward, governments and citizens alike need to work together to combat the climate crisis through measures such as reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and making switches to renewable energy sources in order to protect our planet for future generations.
