The Arctic ice cap used to extend to the NY/PA border - how did it melt? Did cavemen drive SUVs?

Question

When ice shelves broke off the Maine coast 10,000 years ago did cave men blame themselves?

Answer 1

Nope - natural warming from the changing Earth orbital cycles (mainly). Atmospheric CO2 lagged behind temperature increases because temperature increase enabled more decay, increasing CO2.  This, we know.  

What is also know is that now, CO2 leads temperature changes because of all the CO2 emitted into the air from human activity.  This is causing anthropogenic global warming and will result in climate change.  This credible source (US National Academy of Sciences) is easy to read and understand.

http://dels.nas.edu/dels/rpt_briefs/clim...

Notice they model natural causes and anthropogenic causes.

Answer 2

I believe the cavemen drove RUV's(rock utility vehicles).  They did help to break down the ice caps with their huge clubs because they figured that if there were none then it would get warmer, and it did.  

I believe the first caveman to drive an SUV will come shortly in a GEICO commercial!

Answer 3

Here we go again.

There were no SUV's during the ice ages.  Both human activity AND natural events can effect the climate. Is that really so hard to grasp?

Why don't you try moving on to a more serious question? This one is so old and silly that it's getting tiresome.

Answer 4

Exactly.  The climate changed on it's own for a couple billion years - now the climate doesn't change on its own anymore without humans being blamed.

What a joke.

Answer 5

So true. Carbon emmissions came from just too many camp fires. This really shows global warming people just dont have an argument.

Answer 6

How long did it take for it to melt?  Did it take 30-50 years or 1000 years?  That is really the more important question.

Answer 7

Bubba Likes his experts, I like mine:

There are no experimental data to support the hypothesis that increases in human hydrocarbon use or in atmospheric carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are causing or can be expected to cause unfavorable changes in global temperatures, weather, or landscape. There is no reason to limit human production of CO2, CH4, and other minor greenhouse gases as has been proposed

We also need not worry about environmental calamities even if the current natural warming trend continues. The Earth has been much warmer during the past 3,000 years without catastrophic effects. Warmer weather extends growing seasons and generally improves the habitability of colder regions.

As coal, oil, and natural gas are used to feed and lift from poverty vast numbers of people across the globe, more CO2 will be released into the atmosphere. This will help to maintain and improve the health, longevity, prosperity, and productivity of all people.

The United States and other countries need to produce more energy, not less. The most practical, economical, and environmentally sound methods available are hydrocarbon and nuclear technologies.

Human use of coal, oil, and natural gas has not harmfully warmed the Earth, and the extrapolation of current trends shows that it will not do so in the foreseeable future. The CO2 produced does, however, accelerate the growth rates of plants and also permits plants to grow in drier regions. Animal life, which depends upon plants, also flourishes, and the diversity of plant and animal life is increased.

Human activities are producing part of the rise in CO2 in the atmosphere. Mankind is moving the carbon in coal, oil, and natural gas from below ground to the atmosphere, where it is available for conversion into living things. We are living in an increasingly lush environment of plants and animals as a result of this CO2 increase. Our children will therefore enjoy an Earth with far more plant and animal life than that with which we now are blessed.

Answer 8

First of all no cave men did not drive Suva. Some scientists believe this happened due to periodic warming and cooling of the earths atmosphere.

Answer 9

Randall, if you smashed your fist into a concrete wall, and, I told you that, at a molecular level, that wall isn't the least bit   solid - I'd  be right.

But, it doesn't make the hurt go away, does it ?

My point is as abstract as your question.

Answer 10

I agree with the guy above me. Like many other deniers you consistently confuse largescale time periods in the past with short time spans in the present. Yes, we all know there are long term climate cycles.