Global Warming: Seven Steps

Here is some order in the chaos of misunderstandings, disagreements and emotional turmoil about global warming. It goes in seven steps.

1. Does global warming occur? Yes. Just climb up to a glacier during you holiday and see how fast it is shrinking. Or search for internet films about the shrinking of ice on the North Pole and South Pole.

2. How fast with the global warming proceed? We don’t know. Nature is complex and observations and conclusions vary.

3. Is global warming created by nature or by humans? Probably both causes are operating. But scientific research points increasingly at human influence. Some researchers conclude that global warming comes for 90% from anthropogenic sources.

4. Can humans reduce the emission of climate gasses sufficiently? Yes, it is technically possible. The financing and applying of reduction is largely a matter of political will, both within countries and internationally. The earlier the electorates see the necessity of reduction measures, the earlier politicians will take action.

5. How do we know reduction measures are financially worthwhile? Compare costs of present and planned measures to costs of dealing with effects that global warming is bringing. And consider that effects will rise exponentially. Therefore, the earlier we reduce emissions, the cheaper it will be.

6. What are the effects of global warming? The six main effects are sea level rise, wet areas get wetter, dry areas get drying, storms get more severe, changes in bacterial life may bring new diseases, and species migrate to cooler places.

7. Is it possible to deal with these effects? Yes, technically it is possible. But practical measures depend on finances and political will. And costs will rise exponentially.

I have spent ten years on research and policy advice about effects of global warming in Asia, Europe and elsewhere.