Is there any dispute among scientists as to whether or not global warming is caused by humans?

Question

... or is there pretty much a consensus?

as it is, there are some republicans here in america who deny that climate change is caused by us. personally, i cannot see how we would not have some sort of impact.

is there any literature i can read?

Answer 1

yes there is a dispute

Answer 2

There's a huge dispute.  However, it's not "politically correct" to acknowledge it.

Warming and cooling trends have always been occurring.  It's been well known for generations that we have been coming out of a relatively recent ice age.  Saying it's going to get warmer, is about the same as saying there will be daylight tomorrow, followed by darkness.

The real question is if the warming trend as an "anthropogenic" component, and if so, how much?  The problem is that the current human-caused component could be completely wiped out in a few inevitable volcanic eruptions.  Even in recent history  (i.e. the last 200 years), we've seen volcanic events that have caused global cooling resulting in decreased crop yields for decades in some parts of the world (like Europe).

Sooooo.....warming is inevitable, but so is cooling.  It's just how we deal with it that is the issue.

Personally, I don't understand why people think the climate patterns of the Earth should be static.  If anything, the Earth's history is punctuated by dramatic changes and extinctions, long before man was on the scene.

Answer 3

How can you so eaily be duped? We have hade the coldest winters the last two years that have been recorded for 25yrs! If you (idiotcaly)think  humans cause global warming, please explain to me why the polar caps on Mars are melting!!

I have NEVER heard of a more propogated lie in my life!

Answer 4

There is a consensus among non-biased scientists

Answer 5

There will always be debates about hot topics concerning society and lifestyle.  Regardless as to whether or not humans even existed, greenhouses and icehouses will always happen.  Right now we are coming out of an ice house.  As erosion exposes stored carbon, it produces CO2 which will eventually cause a greenhouse environment.  However, we are certainly not impeding this process.  In fact, we are quickening the process by releasing mass amounts of buried CO2.  But regardless, global warming is a cyclical and natural process that will happen with or without human intervention.

Answer 6

The consensus among the vast majority of scientists is that global warming is real.  Of course, there are a few who disagree.  That does not mean that the issue is uncertain.  Just because one person says that the earth is flat does not make it an undecided issue.

Answer 7

The discussion is whether humans are speeding along global warming