What are some misconceptions of global warming?

Answer 1

One common misconception is that it is no longer occurring. Various dates are given, often ranging from 1998 to 2010. Our climate models indicate that so long as CO2 levels remain above 350 parts per million (ppm), global warming should continue. The higher the level of heat trapping gas, the faster temperature should climb.

Another common misconception is that the sun drives global warming. While it is true that if the sun were not there, earth's surface would rapidly cool (the mantle and core remain warm from the decay of long lived radioisotopes), heat trapping gas act to provide a "greenhouse" effect for the earth. Increasing these gases has a measurable impact on climate.

Another misconception is that our models are unreliable. The models do not have to be perfect to be accurate, and they have successfully reproduced temperatures since the 1900s.

Another misconception is that plants and animals will adapt. While SOME will, and others will successfully migrate to more northerly (or southerly) latitudes, many will simply go extinct.

Another misconception is that we are heading into another ice age. While that is perfectly true, glacial ice should not begin accumulating for it for some 30 to 50 thousand years, according to our knowledge of earth's orbital cycles. The effects of global warming will be felt within the coming decades, however.

Another misconception is that Mars is warming, which somehow proves the human release of 30 billion tons of CO2 per year has no impact on earth--warming is all due to the sun. Mars is NOT warming. Seasons change on Mars, just as they do on earth. There is no evidence the planet is undergoing any unusual warming spell.

There are many more misconceptions about global warming, the question requested a few. I tried to stick with the more popular ones.