Global Warming: Big Problem?

Question

I heard a fact that if all the ice in the world melted, sea levels would rise 55-80 inches, and the whole body of the statue of liberty would be covered, except the crown and torch.I really think this is a huge problem, and would like to know your thoughts.I think we should all try to step up a little bit and be green and try to recycle , use energy saving bulbs , and remember to turn lights off, and many other things.I would like to hear your suggestions, and anything u have to say.

Answer 1

The numbers you give would lead to a sea level rise of 5 to 7 feet, not enough to even cover the island at high tide let alone the statue. The real numbers are about 5 to 6 inches of sea level rise because of something called geologic rebound where when weight is removed from the land the land rises in compensation. Currently most of the ice in Greenland and Antarctica over land is inside a range of mountains like a giant volcanic cauldara. Visualize a giant soup tureen with a ragged edge simulating the mountains ringing it.

The only ice or water that can escape is that which can go through the mountain passes. These interior glaciers have persisted through the last two ice ages and the warm interglacial like our current rather mild one. But if they were to melt down to just water and the water reached the sea as the land rose from the weight of the ice leaving the ocean bottom surrounding the land would get deeper to compensate for the rising of the land now freed of the weight of ice. This will mostly compensate for the added water leaving only a 5 to 6 inch sea level rise to worry about.

Answer 2

Thats not even close look on youtube for the film

Global Warming Doomsday Called off  

Answer 3

Global Waming is happening.  The real question is - "is it man made"  In other words can we do anything to stop it.  No-one agrees on this, even the scientists aren't all saying the same thing.  In my opinion, climate change is part of the natural cycle of the earth and nothing we do individually will make a whit of difference.  Even if global warming is man made, damage may not be reversible and until the larger polluting nations like China, Australia and the US do something about cleaning up their act, me using my car less will make no difference.

However, there are much much better reasons for cutting down on energey use and re-cycling etc.  Landfill sites are ruining our land.  Fuel reserves are depleting and we should be finding renewable sources for energy so we are not dependent on large oil producing nations like Iraq and Russia.

Making the minimal effort required to change to a more environmentally friendly lifestyle is something we should all do, regardless of whether Global Warming is a real threat.

Answer 4

Buy a green boat.

Answer 5

Wow, that last answer was a doozie...does she know how to speak English? Anyway-think back to history class (yea-I know for some of you it was a long time ago, but just try)...remember the "little ice age"? It occurred between 1650 to 1850 (that' the general consensus). The little ice age came after a lengthy warming period. In layman's terms, the Earth is on a cycle where it heats up and then cools off. Since we haven't been keeping track of weather patterns for very long, we are sill making these discoveries. If you want to believe in 'global warming' that's fine-I really don't care. But you should think outside of what a bunch of moron politicians tell you. They are cutting funding to scientists who disagree with them on whether or not global warming exists (Yes-that's right! It is not agreed upon in the scientific community!)

Anyway, I do agree that we should conserve energy and I do recycle. However, there is no reason that the government should tell me what light bulb to use. In fact, do any of you know what you're supposed to do if you break one of those stupid new bulbs? Evacuate the premisis and call the poison control hotline! LOOK THIS UP!!! This is very important especially if you have children!!!! (Here's one example: http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTI... We need common sense solutions to our problems-not governmental intrusions. But back to the original idea...global warming is a myth in my opinion and history backs that idea. I doubt I can change many peoples' minds about it...but at least check out those light bulbs...they can be very, very dangerous to children! I have a 6 month old baby girl and I will not have that garbage in my house, I don't care what the governent says....I'd sooner go back to candles.

Answer 6

There are fewer and fewer scientists who believe in the alarmist view.   Some people still hold out and say that humans' impact on the climate is going to destroy life by warming up the surface a few degrees.  

The climate moves in cycles, and we seem to be near the tail end of a warming cycle.  There are a number of questions we need to ask:

   1) To what extent is a warming trend happening, and to what extent is the warming trend "natural" vs "man-made."

   2) To what extent is a warming trend a bad thing?  It has been warmer than this in the past.  (Antarctica wasn't always covered in ice.  Was it a better time when Chicago was covered with an ice sheet?  Is a longer growing season such a bad thing?)

  3) Even if mankind is causing a warming trend, is there anything we can do about it?  

  4) If there is something we can do about it, what are the costs, what would be the benefits, and what are the trade-offs?  (Are we better off spending our money and resources on mitigating the problem, or in learning to live on a slightly warmer planet?  How much spending would get us how much benefit?)

Before we decide what to do, the issue has to be turned over to the economists.  And the climatologists aren't ready to answer the obvious questions from number 4.

Complicating the scientific question is that various anti-capitalist, and anti-American groups have jumped on board because they see this as a way to hurt the US economy.  Foreign government officials who are mis-managing their own countrys' economies see this as a way to receive payments and cash transfers from Western countries.  

My own view is that mankind has an impact on the climate that can be theorized, but not measured because it is so small.  We don't know enough to justify any serious action.  For just a fraction of what the alarmists would have us spend, we could provide drinkable water to all of Africa.    

Answer 7

i have thought about this for awhile.well you use a umberlla to keep rain off and sun off.put abig sun screen in space.but of coarse you would have to take care where you put it.because of hurricanes and all.my suggestion would be to think about cooling down the waters like atlantic first.you've got to really know your high pressures and low pressures.and you can't do it to fast.it would probable take down the crime rate tooooo.

Answer 8

My own personal opinion is this is hoax. Theres been record lows in many areas of the world last spring and record snowfall at ski resorts.  Their useing the term climate change instead of global warming . Yes it changes four times a year. Owl Gore is helping the U.N. with their agenda 21. This also has alot to do with global taxes.

Answer 9

yes it is a big problem. i am 55. i can remember as far back as 1959. up to 1980 there was much more snow, and winters were much colder.

i have spoken to a guy who was born in 1911 he told me that the weather was much different 80 years ago.

Answer 10

Global warming is not the only problem.  The problem goes far beyond global warming and people need to realize what we are under going is "global change".  This includes nitrogen deposition, land transformation, CO2 rise, climate change, invasive species introductions, etc.  All of which are drastically changing the world in which we live.

See here:

Answer 11

You shouldn't worry too much about the sea level rising. It's not going to come crashing in like a huge Tsunami.

Most of the worlds ice (about 70%) is in Antarctica. I just checked, and the Temperature at the South Pole is currently -88F (-67C). The ice there is going nowhere. At the North Pole it's currently 27F (-2.7C)

There's a large body of scientists that have been studying this for a long time. They think that the worst case scenario is that the sea levels could rise by about 2 1/2 feet by the year 2100.

If this happens, then some very low lying cities and neighbourhoods will definately be effected. They'll have to move... but they'll have lots of time to do this.

If you want to 'step up a bit' then good for you. One of the best things you can do for nature is to never walk past rubbish when you're in the outdoors. Glass, plastic and metal don't belong on our beaches, or in our oceans and forests. If you want to save energy, then the biggest change you can make is to reduce the amount of hot water you use, and reduce the time that you have AC and/or Heating turned on.

There's no need to panic. You'll be able to visit the statue of liberty with your grandchildren, no problem.

south pole webcam http://www.usap.gov/videoclipsandmaps/sp...

north pole webcam

http://psc.apl.washington.edu/northpole/...

Answer 12

global warming happens every 10 to 15 years. Its a cycle

Answer 13

Use logic when you buy stuff, recycle, but remember, you can't stop the sun. It'll do what it does. Al Gore and company are shysters playing on your fears.

Answer 14

Yeah, we should try our best to stop global warming. We should save electricity by turing them off when not in use and not leave them in standby mode, which means you leave the electrical appliances switch on so that it will be convenience for use later. We should also let the air-con temperatures be 25 degree celsius if you can't stand the heat, but it will be better if you use fan instead of air-con. Your mention about rise of sea level and statues of liberty covered reminds me of a movie named 'The Day After Tomorrow', a movie that shows the possible effects global warming and global cooling, even though there are some inaccuracies.

Answer 15

Yea let's all buy "green products" for extortionate prices so we can all feel like we're doing our bit for the environment.

Jeez I dunno about you but to be fair i'd rather spend that money on starving kids in Africa instead of on products which big business makes a fortune off by promoting it as the "morally right thing to do".

One day we'll get over this hype and realise we really are inconsequential. It's arrogance that makes us perceive this as a huge problem, I'm sure nature couldn't care less if rising sea levels destroy New York. Just means we'll have to find places to migrate to, thats the solution.

edit: hahahaha I appreciate duck duck's candour and I quote "It is a belief, like religion". exactly it's about having faith isn't it. You can justify believing in global warming because its oh so scary but you can never prove it lol

So I think I should have more faith and believe in vampires =D

Answer 16

So, true. Possibly half of the people who read your question, will post an answer something close to claiming to Global Warming doesn't exist. But I believe it does. It is a belief, like religion. I have just recently seen the movies "The Day After Tomorrow" and it truly freaked me out, because in possibly, we are close to that situation. Some small ways to prevent and save Earth, is by doing simple things. Sure, it won't make a HUGE difference, but it's better than nothing.

1. Get a recycling program started in your community. Write a letter to the mayor of the city you live in and suggest to set up a recycling program, though not everybody will still recycle, it will make a point to a few of your friends and family, and will influence them to work on saving the Earth, one step at a time with you.

2. Use less fuel. The ozone layer is in danger, because of the chemicals from all that gas we use from factories, cars, machines, etc. etc. These chemicals in the gasses, they break down the particles in the air we breathe and rises up, breaking the Ozone layer. Try using less of the car. If you live alone, I would suggest you sell your car and buy a good comfy bike that you can drive to and from work, sure you'll get wet if it's raining, but you'll also be healthy and in shape, keeping your chances of catching a cold or the flu minimum. In the winter, you can possibly take the buss, it cost's less than the fuel you pump into your car monthly, so you save more.

3. Plug it out! Sure, you can turn off your computer, and your lights, and your tv when your not home or asleep, but some energy is flowing through in your place that you live. I suggest you by those outlets where you don't have to plug out chords, but just click "off," they are easier to use and much safer.

4. Re-use. Sure, you get a newspaper you read it, then after a week you come home and it's still lying around, so you get and head for the garbage can. BUT WAIT! You can wrap glass vases and antiques in newspapers from breaking, instead of all that plastic. You can keep it near your phone so whenever someone needs you to get a number, you can write it down instantly on the newspaper in another color other than black, so you don't have to buy more lined loose leaf to write down a single line like "Amanda called: call back at: [phone]" and throw it out when your done.

5. Talk to your family, friends, coworkers, and maybe even the head of te company your working on to also recycle and reduce a small chance of Global Warming. Sure, half of them may not listen to you, but at least you told them.

6. All us girls love and live to shop now a days. So, when you open your closet, look at all the clothing that is there, maybe some of them you don't wear, and some are too small for you to wear, I would suggest you donate the stuff to the homeless, sure it's not Global Warming related, but it does help somebody. But think what you buy, before you buy it. Think about how long the piece of clothing you will buy will last, is it worth it? Think it, and ask yourself questions you don't want to ask.

7. There are so many ways to prevent Global Warming, but I cannot keep on typing, because I'm running out of space, so I think the website is... www.globalwarming.com I think... or something like that. Google "Preventing Global Warming" and stuff like that, it may help you.

Thank you so much for supporting Global Warming and doing something about it. God bless you. And thank you again.

D.

P.S. Reduce, reuse, recycle.

Answer 17

<<55-80 inches>>

you mean 55-80 meters.

while sea level rise is important, climate -- temperature -- heat -- drought -- is even more important.

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200704/da...

http://oldsite.globalsolutions.org/progr...

http://www.ethicalcorp.com/content.asp?C...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con...

recycling, etc are important, but clearly not enough.

A)  because there are lots of folks who don't care.

B)  because that alone will not be sufficient.  (ie, it won't bring you a 100 mpg car, or take SUVs off the road.)

government will need to set mandatory steps, and probably implement fairly high taxes on items that waste energy.