There has been much discussion in recent years about the importance of global warming, but there remains a great deal of debate over whether or not it really matters. On one hand, it is true that the Earth’s temperature is rising, and this rise is contributing to climate change in many parts of the world. Those who stand in favor of addressing global warming point to its potential to cause extreme weather events, harm vulnerable ecosystems, and lead to long-term negative impacts on human health and livelihoods. On the other hand, some leading scientists disagree with this dominant narrative, and argue that global warming is simply not as severe a threat as it is often portrayed to be.
To begin, it is important to note that the Earth’s climate has been in a constant state of change for millions of years. In this sense, global warming is the latest in a long line of climate-related upheavals that have shaped the Earth’s ecology for millions of years. It is thus inaccurate to portray global warming as an unprecedented catastrophe that is solely created by humans’ interference with the natural climate. As Professor Gregory Wright of the University of California points out, “Climate has fluctuated in the past, and will continue to do so in the future regardless of human actions.” Thus, while climate change due to human activities should not be dismissed, it is important to recognize that it is not the only factor affecting global temperatures.
Furthermore, even if humans were the primary cause of global warming, one can question the magnitude of its impact on the world. While it is true that some parts of the world are indeed experiencing the effects of global warming, a 2017 study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency indicated that not all regions of the world are being detrimentally affected by it. For example, the study found that temperatures were becoming more moderate in the Northern United States and the United Kingdom, rather than increasing as one might expect. Similarly, the study identified a trend in some parts of the world where weather patterns were not becoming more extreme, but rather more stable thanks to global warming.
Other research also indicates that the effects of global warming are more closely related to humans’ own behaviors than to external conditions. For instance, recent studies have shown that deforestation and construction can cause segments of the world to become hotter and drier due to the changes in the availability of plant life that these activities create. This suggests that, when it comes to global warming and related phenomena, the most effective remedies lie in people’s own hands, and not in external measures such as international treaties or emissions regulations.
It is important to recognize that global warming is a very real phenomenon and that humans’ actions can have a role to play in this. However, it is equally important to point out that not all of the consequences of global warming are apocalyptic in nature, and that there are potential positive outcomes as well. Therefore, in light of the best existing scientific evidence, it is fair to conclude that global warming is not necessarily an issue that requires immediate international attention and drastic policies. Instead, what needs to be done is for more research to be done in order to better understand the effects of global warming both locally and globally, and for people to look to their own behaviors for potential solutions.
