Do global warming skeptics use sun screen?

Question

I use it when I am out in the sun, and the reason why is based on what I think are three scientific facts - the presence of the radiation, the efficacy of the sunscreen. and the positive outcome from blocking something hazardous.

First, I believe the UV radiation is present on my skin on hot cloudless days even though the rays are absorbed by the atmosphere. I recognise by far most of the sun's natural rays are filtered out, but to me reducing the attenuated radiation still makes a difference.

Secondly, I believe a thin chemical barrier has a significant effect on electromagnetic radiation. I use around 10 ml of 15% active solution, around 1.5 g for my 100 Kg body or 15 ppm. When applied it gives a layer so thin I cannot see it - something like 100th part of a millimeter. Compared to the atmosphere the rays first pass through it is truly negligible - yet I believe this tiny layer works in blocking what kilometers of air let pass.

Answer 1

Of course I do, because I know, from personal experience, that without sunscreen, I may burn.

"First, I believe the UV radiation is present on my skin on hot cloudless days even though the rays are absorbed by the atmosphere."

UV is "present on your skin" even on cloudy days.

"When applied it gives a layer so thin I cannot see it - something like 100th part of a millimeter. Compared to the atmosphere the rays first pass through it is truly negligible - yet I believe this tiny layer works in blocking what kilometers of air let pass."

Are you trying to make a point here? Sunscreen was made specifically to block UV, nothing else. Most of the atmosphere does not react with UV rays.

"I ask the question because skeptics seem to think a few more ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere could not possibly block heat escaping as electromagnetic radiation - yet accept an invisible layer of sunscreen completely blocks other radiation. "

-I accept that sunscreen blocks UV radiation from personal experience.

-Heat and infrared radiation are not the same thing. People really need to understand this.

"I ask the question because skeptics seem to think a few more ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere could not possibly block heat escaping as electromagnetic radiation "

I do not know who this is. I have never met, seen, heard of, or spoke to a skeptic or "denialist" who think this way.

Answer 2

Of course, sunscreen products have been around for well over 40 years. What's changed - nothing! Will we continue to use suncreen products - of course. We got it right along time ago. Nothing has changed except the language.

Answer 3

I use it because it works.  It is quite amazing that such a thin layer can block so much UV - but that's obviously what it's doing.

This does seem like an odd question though.  Why wouldn't skeptics of AGW use sunscreen?  The evidence that sunscreen works is readily available.

Answer 4

Using sun screen is cheap.  Reducing co2 emissions by 70-80% (or even 50%)  that the greenies want us to do, is not.

Answer 5

why wouldn't they? They're not saying the sun isn't bad for your skin