Climate Change: Natural Cycles vs. Human Activity

It is time to move past the debate over whether the climate is changing. The scientific consensus has been established for over a century. Continued questioning serves only to divert attention from more urgent issues.

The earth has always experienced natural climate cycles, transitioning between hothouse and icehouse states. These transitions are beyond human control and are part of the planet's natural history. Predicting ice ages is not within our purview; the Milankovitch effect and other natural phenomena determine such cycles.

On a typical winter, the polar vortex's positive state can push the jetstream into unusual positions. While volcanic eruptions can temporarily cool the earth by releasing large amounts of sulfur, their long-term effects often result in increased CO2 levels and higher atmospheric pressures.

No Evidence of Current Global Cooling

Claims of current global cooling are unfounded. Paleoclimatology provides no evidence of the planet entering a cooling phase. Recent temperature data from the past 150 years show a gradual increase rather than a cooling trend.

Historical Temperature Trends

Historical temperature records indicate that the earth's temperature has been decreasing for the last 15,000 years. However, recent warming trends have been significant, with the global temperature rising steadily over the last 50 years. Extrapolating this trend back reveals that temperatures were likely much colder in the past, possibly below freezing 2,000 years ago.

The 'Hockey Stick' Theory

The 'hockey stick' graph, which has become iconic, provides a visual representation of historical temperature changes. This graph shows a pronounced warming trend in the last century, which is markedly different from the historical cooling trend that preceded it.

The Role of Carbon Dioxide

One of the most significant contributors to this warming trend is the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. The concentration of CO2 has risen by one-third in the past century, fitting well with our understanding of how the earth processes solar energy.

Science and Its Role in Understanding Climate Change

Science aims to explain natural phenomena. Various tools and technologies, such as measurements of solar brightness, volcanic energy release, and shifts in ocean currents, have been developed. None of these factors appear to explain the current temperature rise. Instead, the increase in CO2 levels aligns with the known mechanisms by which the earth regulates temperature.

In conclusion, while the earth has always experienced natural climate cycles, the recent warming trend is more likely attributable to human activity, particularly the release of greenhouse gases like CO2. Understanding and addressing this issue is crucial for our future.