Global Warming Skeptics Rejoice at D.C. Blizzard
Every time the national news reports on a rare blizzard (such as the one occurring in Washington, DC) or unseasonal freezing temperatures (such as those that threatened Florida citrus crops last Fall), the global warming deniers get on Facebook and Twitter and proclaim victory. Grasping “global warming”, however, requires more than a first-grade level understanding of the word “warming” (No disrespect to first graders.)
What Global Warming IS…
Global warming is a term that refers to the overall warming of the Earth’s surface. The effects can include changes in weather patterns causing flooding, drought, and an increase in damaging storms. “Global warming” while accurate in describing the overall rise in Earth’s surface temperature, does not accurately describe the effects of such a temperature rise. This is why scientists prefer, and in fact first used, the term “climate change.”
What Global Warming is NOT…
Global warming is not a declaration that it will never snow again or get really cold again. We are experiencing a warming trend, but we will still experience fluctuating weather patterns inside this trend. A blizzard or a deep freeze is weather–not evidence, yet, of any thing more. “Evidence” is an accumulation of data and facts that can prove a conclusion. There remains much more evidence of global warming than climate cooling when we look at the whole picture and not just a snapshot.
It’s not out of the question that the current trend could shift…that is what everyone is hoping for, but the fact that we still have winters doesn’t mean we are out of the woods or off the hook.
Further reading…
EPA.gov/ClimateChange/USP.html
IPCC.ch
SkepticalScience.com
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