Claims, Criticisms Not Accurate
The June 30 guest column "Study of Global Warming Scientific Research" is critical of conclusions in a May 25 presentation by Hershey Montessori School students…
The June 30 guest column “Study of Global Warming Scientific Research” is critical of conclusions in a May 25 presentation by Hershey Montessori School students at the Burton Kent State Extension and of the school asking,”Are we seeing indoctrination instead of education?”
Three claims were made that are accurate: the students did an exemplary job, heat comes from the sun and man burning fossil fuels did not end the last ice age. The other claims and criticisms are not accurate.
The following is accurate and supported by science. Climate change is real and must be addressed now to prevent catastrophic results this century. Carbon dioxide contributed by human activity is the main cause and “natural” fluctuations do not explain changes occurring now and for the foreseeable future. Recent changes are not caused by the sun. Water vapor is taken into account in models. Reputable literature that denies these conclusions is not available in scientific publications because it does not hold up to scientific scrutiny.
Science based literature is available on these and other reputable websites: NASA, NOAA, IPCC, OSU, NRDC, DOE, DOD, National Geographic Society, Union of Concerned Scientists, United States Geological Society and the American Institute of Physics. One example of a website funded by special interests and offering pseudoscience is the Heritage Foundation.
A Fact Sheet published by OSU is helpful “Global Climate Change: Update 2015 (CDFS-203)”. It supports conclusions presented by the students who used only references they could verify as reputable, those that utilized the “scientific method”. The Cosmos video series from Fox, available on Netflix, also does an excellent job of describing the science and solutions, as does the book/video “Earth the Operator’s Manual”.
Claims that Michael Mann manipulated data and suppressed information were debunked years ago. The three skeptics referenced in the column are examples of a decreasing number of people who do not yet understand the science. The vast majority of climatologists strongly support man caused climate change.
The students did not include water in their description of greenhouse gases because, unlike the other gases reviewed, water is not affected directly by humans. Water vapor is an important “feedback” contributor; it is accounted for in climate models but it is only indirectly affected by humans.
That heat comes from the sun is self evident. Without the sun, Earth would be a lifeless ball of ice. The sun, carbon dioxide and a balance of other variables allow life on Earth. Carbon dioxide is the greenhouse gas that has the biggest effect. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun passes through Earth’s atmosphere and warms the planet. Infrared radiation transmits this energy into space and cools the planet. Without carbon dioxide, most of the heat would be transmitted into space and Earth would be covered in ice. Carbon dioxide absorbs some of the infrared radiation and allows Earth to maintain temperatures suitable for life. Humans are increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide and causing too much heat to be retained. This is not “natural.”
To claim 0.116 percent of the “overall greenhouse effect” is caused by humans, grossly understates our impact. Since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution humans, not volcanoes have raised carbon dioxide from 280 to over 400 ppm. This increase is shown by isotopic analysis to come from humans burning fossil fuels.
The “natural” relationship between carbon dioxide and temperature was observed by OSU Professor Lonnie Thompson using ice core data. For most of the last 800,000 years, carbon dioxide ranged from 180 to 280 ppm. Near 180 ppm, Earth was in an ice age and near 280 ppm Earth enjoyed a mild climate. Beginning with the industrial revolution, humans began burning fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide and temperatures began to increase. Today, with carbon dioxide over 400 ppm, the global average temperature has increased about 1.4 degrees F. This is upsetting the delicate ecosystem leading to melting glaciers and polar ice and rising sea levels. It is causing severe weather extremes and many other negative effects. If dumping carbon dioxide continues at the current rate, temperatures could increase almost 11 degrees F and much of life, including humans, will be threatened before the end of this century.
The column asked “Did man, burning fossil fuels, end the ice age and melt the glaciers?” The answer is “Of course not!”. Ice ages are explained by the Milankovitch Cycles involving the tilt and wobble of the Earth and variations in its orbit around the sun. They are natural and, until now, their effects were not impacted by humans.
We all need to transition from fossil fuels. Students and staff at the Hershey Montessori School understand this. The students were free to come to their own conclusions and they did an excellent job. To imply they were indoctrinated does them and the school a disservice. Technologies are available for the transition while improving our economy and our standard of living. The main things slowing progress are vested interest misinformation and lack of willpower. Our children and grandchildren are counting on us to do what is necessary. I implore everyone to learn the science, open the conversation, take action and stop burning fossil fuels.
Richard J. Coin
Hambden Township
