An inconvenient truth

[Aliantha]

Some scientists are true to their beliefs. I think you'll actually find that very few are 'paid by the man' to say what they want said in fact.

I happen to know a few experts in the field of environmental management, and the true figures are frightening...hence my views I guess.

[BigV]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

Some scientists are true to their beliefs. I think you'll actually find that very few are 'paid by the man' to say what they want said in fact.
--snip--

What is more common is to have someone who is "paid by the man" to say what the man wants said, but who walks, talks and quacks like a scientist. But they're not scientists. And they're not ducks, either, but you're getting closer.

[sproglet]

Originally Posted by Hippikos

but the climate world is full of even bigger numbers. According to UNEP, the 7 billion tonnes of human-made CO2 pales into insignificance beside the 150 billion tonnes entering the atmosphere each year as a result of natural causes such as decay of vegetation, and the 750 billion tonnes already there.

As mentioned previously, this 'huge' natural contribution is part of the normal carbon cycle. Carbon reserves locked up in oil and coal fields have not been part of the natural carbon cycle for millions of years, it's only human intervention over the last couple of centuries that has introduced this additional load into the cycle. The fact that we are seeing the highest atmospheric CO2 levels in almost a million years should be causing concern, for all we know we may have passed the tipping point already.

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Where is the proof that CO2 levels are the cause or even an indicator of Global Warming?

There is no 'proof' only correlation between atmospheric CO2 levels and average Earth temperature, the fact that intelligent people can use this information and make an educated guess that it may be a contributing factor towards our broken weather is good enough for me. Destructive testing is not an option when there's nowhere else to run.

Originally Posted by "xoxoxoBruce

I've only seen CO2 mentioned in the articles about core samples and articles about Methane Hydrate say it's frozen in/on the sea floor.

A quick Google for 'Frozen Tundra' might change your mind. If the Siberian, Ukrainian and Alaskan Tundra begins to thaw (as it shows signs of already doing) then we really are fucked I'm afraid.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by sproglet

A quick Google for 'Frozen Tundra' might change your mind. If the Siberian, Ukrainian and Alaskan Tundra begins to thaw (as it shows signs of already doing) then we really are fucked I'm afraid.

Thank you. This is a new one on me, I'd never heard of the methane in the permafrost, only in the sea where a combination of cold and pressure kept it captured.