Is Carbon Dioxide (CO2) a Greenhouse Gas?
The correct answer is yes.
“Greenhouse gases most closely connected to global warming include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and the fluorocarbons.
The greenhouse effect is caused by these gases in Earth’s atmosphere. Incoming solar energy passes through the atmosphere, which retains the resulting heat and warms Earth’s near-surface temperature. This effect is driven by the greenhouse gases, which capture and retain heat.
Consequently, the energy entering the atmosphere is greater than that leaving it, and this gradually raises the overall global temperature” (Sciencing, n.d.).
“The existence of the greenhouse effect was first identified 1824. However, the term “greenhouse” was first used in this way by the Swedish Physicist Nils Gustaf Ekholm in 1901 (Wikipedia , n.d.).
What are Fossil Fuels?
Even the dumbest ‘denier/skeptic’ will get this correct.
“In common dialogue, the term fossil fuel also includes hydrocarbon-containing natural resources that are not derived from animal or plant sources.
Fossil fuel is a general term for buried combustible geologic deposits of organic materials, formed from decayed plants and animals that have been converted to crude oil, coal, natural gas, or heavy oils by exposure to heat and pressure in the earth’s crust over hundreds of millions of years”. (ScienceDaily, n.d.)
Does Burning Fossil Fuels Generate CO2?
The correct answer is yes.
“There are both natural and human sources of carbon dioxide emissions.
Natural sources include decomposition, ocean release and respiration.
Other…sources come from activities like cement production, deforestation as well as the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas”. (whatsyourimpact?, n.d.)
Does Human Activity Cause the Generation of CO2?
The Correct answer is yes.
Humans burn coal, gas and oil products.
The ‘denier/skeptic’ will almost certainly drive a petrol or diesel powered car.
Does Nature Absorb CO2?
The correct answer is yes.
“Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the air, combine it with water and light, and make carbohydrates — the process known as photosynthesis” (theconversation, n.d.).
The ‘denier/skeptic’ will often tell you this simple fact in a tone of voice that suggests that you have never heard of photosynthesis.
Other ways nature absorbs CO2 is includes absorption by the oceans.
For many years scientists have known that about 40% of the carbon dioxide generated by human activity gets absorbed in the ocean waters”. (The Guardian, n.d.)
There is a possible issue with this however:
“When carbon dioxide (CO2) is absorbed by seawater, chemical reactions occur that reduce seawater pH, carbonate ion concentration, and saturation states of biologically important calcium carbonate minerals. These chemical reactions are termed “ocean acidification” or “OA” for short” (pmelcarbonprogram, n.d.).
Ocean acidification “expected to impact ocean species to varying degrees” (pmelcarbonprogram, n.d.). It is thought to be a reason for the bleaching of coral reefs including the Great Barrier Reef.
Are levels of CO2 in the Atmosphere Increasing?
The correct answer is yes.
“Ancient air bubbles trapped in ice enable us to step back in time and see what Earth’s atmosphere, and climate, were like in the distant past. They tell us that levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere are higher than they have been at any time in the past 400,000 years”. (NASA, n.d.)
More importantly, on May 9, 2013, the daily mean concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere of Mauna Loa, Hawaii, surpassed 400 parts per million (ppm) for the first time since measurements began in 1958” (NOAA Research, n.d.).
Is the Increase in CO2 in the Atmosphere Related to the Burning of Fossil Fuels?
It would appear that it is:
“Before the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, global average CO2 was about 280 ppm. During the last 800,000 years, CO2 fluctuated between about 180 ppm during ice ages and 280 ppm during interglacial warm periods.
Today’s rate of increase is more than 100 times faster than the increase that occurred when the last ice age ended” (NOAA Research, n.d.).
Has the Climate fluctuated in the Past?
This is a favourite line of the ‘denier/skeptic’. They will tell you the climate has always been changing. They often tell that in tone that suggests that they are aware of that fact and you obviously aren’t.
The answer is yes, the climate has always been changing – there have been periods of ‘ice ages’ and more temperate periods.
This fact is known to everyone of the planet, with even a modest level of education.
For example, this from a UK Infants School curriculum:
“Stone Age to Iron Age covers around 10,000 years, between the last Ice Age and the coming of the Romans. Such a long period is difficult for children to imagine, but putting the children into a living time-line across the classroom might help” (Historical Association , n.d.).
What is the Probability that Scientists are Unaware of Past Climate Fluctuations?
Let’s get real, the answer is nil.
The scientists are almost certainly to have IQs more than 15% higher than the average person. They will likely to have post graduate degrees, including doctorates. They will all have been to Infants School or its equivalent.
Who thinks that Anthropocentric Climate Change is Real?
As we all know, it is widely reported that 97% or more ‘Climate Scientists’ believe that human activity is changing the world’s climate.
NASA reports the following:
“Multiple studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals1 show that 97 percent or more of actively publishing climate scientists agree: Climate-warming trends over the past century are extremely likely due to human activities.
In addition, most of the leading scientific organizations worldwide have issued public statements endorsing this position”. (NASA, n.d.).
The ‘Paris Agreement’ suggests that all of the world’s leaders with the exception of Donald Trump and President Assad of Syria believe that Anthropomorphic Climate Change is real (UN Framework on Climate Change , n.d.).
Who doesn’t think that Anthropocentric Change is Real?
We all know a few: Donald Trump, Pauline Hanson, and so on.
You maybe one yourself.
You maybe married to one.
billrider2013 