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The biggest two myths regarding global warming are that it exists, and that man is causing it. Many other myths revolve around these two. Let's look at these two, then at a couple of the others.

Is global warming a fact? Well, the overall global temperatures have increased some tenths of a degree over the last century. Before that time, there is simply little accurate data. About all we can do is compare current temperatures with temperatures from a long time ago, using various methods such as ice core sampling. What this data indicates is that global temperatures were actually several degrees warmer 2,000 years ago than they are today. Core samples have also shown that temperatures have fluctuated widely, though there just isn't enough information about why this happens, only that the current increase is well within average fluctuations.

Is man causing global warming? The truth is that nobody knows what role man plays in global warming or any other climatic change. There isn't enough data, nor do we have the knowledge to interpret the data we have. More and more information, however, is pointing to global changes being directly related to activity of our sun, rather than anything man is doing.

This brings us to some other myths.

The ice caps are melting, so the globe must be warming up: This viewpoint isn't supported by the facts. True, the caps are melting. They've been melting ever since the end of the last ice age, some 10,000 years ago. However, the Earth has been around for about 5,000,000,000 years, and for about 9/10 of that time, it has not had ice caps. From this, it would also seem that ice caps are an abnormality.

Man produces a lot of greenhouse gases, so he must be changing the climate: This actually gives man more credit than he deserves. Man does indeed produce a lot of greenhouse gases. However, one moderate volcanic eruption produces more greenhouse gas than all those that man produces in a year. There are 11 to 15 volcanic eruptions somewhere in the world each year, which means that the Earth produces far more of these gases than man is even capable of producing. Further, large wildfires, which occur on a yearly basis around the world, produce enormous amounts of greenhouse gases. Comparing all non-man produced emissions of greenhouse gas with the amount produced by man, man produces less than 1% of the yearly amounts of greenhouse gas.

Carbon dioxide and methane are the greenhouse gases to worry about: Let's be very clear about this. CO2 is a very necessary gas that is part of the carbon cycle. Without it, life as we know it, wouldn't be possible. Methane is a natural product of the breakdown of vegetable matter. Further, water vapor is actually the "biggest" greenhouse gas, allowing heat in, and trapping it. Without water vapor...well, imagine what would happen if there was none.

Global warming is a fact, but not a major one. The Earth goes through periodic cycles of both heat and cold. But making assumptions about what is causing these fluctuations, without having facts to support it is not only dangerous, it is irresponsible. There are plenty of legitimate things to worry about without inventing worries that aren't supported by the facts.

Learn more about this author, Rex Trulove.
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