1. Skeptics’ Arguments A guide to counter the arguments of global warming skeptics

2. Argument #1 Climate has changed before (change is natural) Climate has changed before (change is natural) Earth’s climate has its natural warming and cooling trends Earth’s climate has its natural warming and cooling trends The warming that is occurring now has nothing to do with human activities The warming that is occurring now has nothing to do with human activities

3. Answer The warming now is far beyond the natural cycle The warming now is far beyond the natural cycle Why has climate changed in the past? Why has climate changed in the past? Climate changes because it is forced to change Climate changes because it is forced to change Human activities is the force that is causing climate to warm now Human activities is the force that is causing climate to warm now

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5. Argument #2 The Sun is causing the warming The Sun is causing the warming The Sun naturally changes in intensity, therefore when the Sun outputs more energy, the climate gets warmer The Sun naturally changes in intensity, therefore when the Sun outputs more energy, the climate gets warmer

6. Answer Solar intensity has actually decrease over the past few decades while temperatures still go up Solar intensity has actually decrease over the past few decades while temperatures still go up

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8. Argument #3 A warmer Winter? I’d love a warmer Winter! A warmer Winter? I’d love a warmer Winter! The positive effects from global warming will far outweigh the negative impacts The positive effects from global warming will far outweigh the negative impacts

9. Answer In 2011 so far, there have been 11 billion dollar weather disasters In 2011 so far, there have been 11 billion dollar weather disasters Deaths from heatwaves will skyrocket, crops will fail due to the heat Deaths from heatwaves will skyrocket, crops will fail due to the heat

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11. Argument #4 There is no consensus that climate scientists believe global warming is caused by humans There is no consensus that climate scientists believe global warming is caused by humans How can the public believe in global warming is the scientists can’t even agree? How can the public believe in global warming is the scientists can’t even agree?

12. Answer 97% of climate scientists agree that humans are causing the climate to change 97% of climate scientists agree that humans are causing the climate to change A study of all peer-reviewed articles from 1993 – 2003 showed that NOT ONE paper rejected the consensus that humans are causing climate change. A study of all peer-reviewed articles from 1993 – 2003 showed that NOT ONE paper rejected the consensus that humans are causing climate change. The myth is specifically portrayed by skeptics and placed in the media The myth is specifically portrayed by skeptics and placed in the media

13. Argument #5 The climate is actually cooling The climate is actually cooling Data shows that the climate has actually cooled recently Data shows that the climate has actually cooled recently

14. Answer The decade from 2000-2009 was actually the warmest on record The decade from 2000-2009 was actually the warmest on record 2010 was the warmest year on the record 2010 was the warmest year on the record Recently, the top ten warmest Octobers have all occurred since 1997 Recently, the top ten warmest Octobers have all occurred since 1997 This October, 2 nd warmest on land, 8 th warmest overall This October, 2 nd warmest on land, 8 th warmest overall

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16. Argument #6 The temperature record is unreliable The temperature record is unreliable Thermometers are not maintained properly and are in places that record abnormally high temperatures Thermometers are not maintained properly and are in places that record abnormally high temperatures

17. Answer BEST project set out to prove the skeptics correct BEST project set out to prove the skeptics correct Dr. Richard Muller studied the temperature record to prove that thermometers were not accurate due to the urban heat island, in part Dr. Richard Muller studied the temperature record to prove that thermometers were not accurate due to the urban heat island, in part Opposite was found. Muller turned from skeptic, to global warming proponent Opposite was found. Muller turned from skeptic, to global warming proponent

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19. Argument #7 Plants and animals can adapt quickly Plants and animals can adapt quickly Even with global warming plants and animals will adapt to the changes and thrive Even with global warming plants and animals will adapt to the changes and thrive

20. Answer We may be experiencing a mass extinction We may be experiencing a mass extinction Extinction rate - 100 to 1000 times higher than “background” Extinction rate - 100 to 1000 times higher than “background”

21. Answer Source: Sodhi, N. S., Koh, L. P., Brook, B. W. & Ng, P. K. L. 2004

22. Argument #8 It’s cold outside! It’s cold outside! How can global warming be true if it is snowing outside my house? How can global warming be true if it is snowing outside my house?

23. Answer Day-to-day variations have little to do with global warming Day-to-day variations have little to do with global warming In fact, extreme events such as Winter storms may increase In fact, extreme events such as Winter storms may increase Northeast has snowiest Winter on record in 2010- 2011 Northeast has snowiest Winter on record in 2010- 2011 Two things needed for big snowstorms Two things needed for big snowstorms Lots of water vapor Lots of water vapor Temperatures below freezing Temperatures below freezing Both are possible Both are possible

24. Argument #9 We are actually heading into an ice age We are actually heading into an ice age If you look at the natural cycle, we should be heading into an ice age soon If you look at the natural cycle, we should be heading into an ice age soon

25. Answer Perhaps, but not for another 10,000 years Perhaps, but not for another 10,000 years Global warming due to humans is happening NOW, not in 10,000 years Global warming due to humans is happening NOW, not in 10,000 years

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