Global Warming
...energy warms the earth and then is re-radiated back into space in the form of infrared waves. Under normal conditions, a portion of the outgoing infrared radiation is naturally trapped by the atmosphere, keeping the earth’s temperature comfortable. About 25 years ago, scientists determined that this thin layer of atmosphere is being thickened by huge quantities of human-caused carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. And as it thickens, it traps a lot of the radiation that would otherwise escape the atmosphere and into the universe. As a result, the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere—and oceans—is getting dangerously warmer (Gore 26-27).
And herein lays the controversy. Is the earth warming normally due to natural climate cycles, or is it warming at an unprecedented pace due to an increase in human-generated greenhouse gasses? The focus of this debate often centers on the effects of global warming in the Arctic, which includes parts of Canada, Greenland, Russia, Alaska, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Global warming has become one of the world’s most debated issues with scientists and politicians vehemently arguing their viewpoint. However, it is clear that the Arctic is experiencing extreme environmental changes that are having a traumatic effect on its climate, wildlife, and indigenous people.
Some skeptics of global warming base their argument on two major points. The first is that the media, politicians, and scientists have doctored information about global warming caused by mankind’s increased production of CO2, to sell papers, win elections, and receive grants. Christopher Horner, an acknowledged expert on global warming legislation and regulation writes:
Before the alarmists can convince you about melting ice caps, killer hurricanes, or gloomy Eskimos, they must convince you that currently things are historically hot and...
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