20 Myths about Climate Change: Busted
Climate change is nowadays a frequently
discussed topic. It is spoken of over television, the internet, newspapers and
magazines, but the level of awareness is
still not as high as it must be.
Similarly, there are a number of myths
regarding climate change that still prevail. In order to takes substantial steps
to counter climate change, people must stay informed regarding the actual facts.
Busting myths is a part of that process.
Let us take a look at top 20 myths regarding climate
change:
1. Extreme weather has historically been the norm
Anthropogenic processes alter
the natural cycles and are broadly defined as the human impact over the globe’s
climate. Combustion of fossil fuels and deforestation are examples.
2. Why believe that humans are responsible for climate change?
High CO2 emissions that
arise from human activity is the number one contributor to
climate change. Frequent climate hazards and warmer weather over
time are some of the repercussions.
3. Cold weather and snowfall implies that climate change isn’t
real
Cold weather and snowfall does not
imply that climate change is not real. The seasons will be in place even if
climate change attains its full potential. The earth orbits around the sun and
has an axial tilt, which gives rise to seasons.
4. Climate models are as unreliable as weather forecast models
Climate and weather forecast models
have differences amongst
them. Weather forecasts predict how cool or warm is it going to be, or if it
will be overcast. Climate models instead make predictions about how a place
will look different 30 years down the line.
5. Back in the 1970s, a magazine claimed that the ice age was
coming and all scientists agreed
All scientists never agreed to this
notion. It was just what the magazine journalists, editors and a few of the
people believed. The article writer has now himself debunked the theory.
6. We are warming because we are recovering from an ice age
The ice age prevailed 12,000 years
back. Over the 10,000 years that followed, earth’s temperature increased by 4OC. But human activity has heated up the
earth by 1 OC
over past 150 years. In next 85 years, earth will be warmer by 1 to 4OC owing to human activity.
7. Scientist overlook urban data for their findings
Scientists do not ignore urban
findings for their results. They decisively conclude that cities heat up more than rural areas owing
to higher greenhouse gas emissions.
8. It once used to be warmer
Through the earth’s history, there
have been warmer phases, but
there used to be greater differences in earth and sea levels.
9. Climate change has positive impacts as well
Even flu has positive impacts, but
overlooking the negatives is not the requisite way to go about it. Promotion of
climate change as positive is inspired by political or social interests.
10. Arctic is losing ice while Antarctic is gaining ice
No, Arctic and Antarctic are both losing ice.
This does not do us good as sea levels rise, leading to floods and humanitarian
crisis. Salty sea water renders fertile land infertile.
11. A number of scientists are opposed to the idea of climate
change
We should keep faith in the
scientists who reveal results of their own findings. Their research is truly
reliable. 97% climate experts have a consensus that global warming is caused by
humans.
12. Climate change is no settled science
We do come across fresh findings in
research related to climate change. But meteorology and cancer research also
fall in the same category. In spite of that, both of the latter sciences
provide us with sufficient resources to act, warn against risks and make
decisions.
13. The sun is causing climate change
Sun does heat up and sustains life
over the planet. But earth’s warming trends are not in sync with the solar cycles.
14. Global warming is now called climate change because there is
no evidence of warming
Climate change is a broader term that adds more scope to
the issue. Till a few years back, media used the term global warming while
research forums frequently used the term climate change.
15. Greenhouse gases are small in quantity and don’t make a
difference
As compared to nitrogen and oxygen,
greenhouse gases are lesser in quantity. But we survive the night due to the
greenhouse effect, else it may be too cold. Vegetation induces greenhouse effect. Human induced CO2 emissions are an excess,
and induce climate change. Those, we must reduce.
16. Climate change will not affect me
Climate change affects all living
organisms. The trend has prevailed since decades now. As an example, a higher
intensity and frequency of tornados and hurricanes are a direct result of climate
change.
17.Climate change is an issue for the future
Action against climate change should
not be delayed for a safer present and future. Sea levels must be maintained at
the present position and so must the percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere, which renders a direct effect
over average temperatures across the world.
18. National governments alone can act against climate change
We can make a difference at an
individual level as well by committing to sustainable sources of energy, going
vegan, planting trees and being a part of global movements against climate
change.
19. Climate change is but an environmental issue
While the issue is environmental, the repercussions go far beyond.
It renders an effect over food production, access to energy and fresh water,
sea levels, wildlife habitats, average temperatures, and frequency of natural
calamities.
20. Climate change is a natural cycle
Events of climate change that have occurred
in the past were a result of natural factors. But human induced carbon
emissions in the environment are a significant influencer for climate change. CO2 concentration in the atmosphere is now
higher than it have been in
past 3 million years.
Conclusion:
Climate change comes by as a matter of
significant proportions and must be acted upon at individual, organizational,
local, national and even international levels. Choices
that we make in terms of
lifestyle, household energy use, and family sizes all affect climate change.
