Ninety-seven percent of climate scientists agree that climate-warming trends over the past century are very likely due to human activities, and most of the leading scientific organizations worldwide have issued public statements endorsing this position.
There seems to be a great deal of debate about the actual existence of global warming and climate change, what that means exactly, and really, so what if we're a little warmer?
In the interests of Science, and the welfare of our children, I thought that this would be a fine place for a little simple clarification.
We hear about rising levels of "greenhouse gases". Greenhouse gases absorb energy, and radiate heat. Think of how asphalt holds heat from the day, and then is till warm after dark during the summer. The main one everyone talks about is carbon dioxide. the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) have never been higher. Our climate is warming about ten times faster after this last ice age, than it ever has.
How do the scientists know what weather was like millions of years ago? By analyzing ice core samples from deep in the earth, as well as rocks, tree rings, and ocean sediment. With the advent of technology, satellites and other methods have been used for data collection.
How do we get more greenhouse gases in our atmosphere? Through our use of fossil fuels - our cars, electricity, manufacturing etc.
Global warming doesn't mean the California coast suddenly feels like Palm Springs - nature is subtler and slower than that. What has happened is sea level rise - over 6 inches over the last hundred years, with it doubling IN THE LAST 10 YEARS. 6 inches doesn't seem like much, unless you live near a sea wall during an astronomical high tide. The warming is not in tens of degrees - yet. But even a small raise results in the ocean being warmer, as well as the surface temperature of the earth. Most of the warming occurred in the past 35 years, with 15 of the 16 warmest years on record occurring since 2001.
The other results of both the warming, and the excess of carbon dioxide, are ocean acidification (the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed by the upper layer of the oceans is increasing by about 2 billion tons per year), the shrinking of the polar ice and glaciers (that sea rise!), and more frequent extreme weather events.
I cannot speak personally for other areas of California, but I do know that growing up, there was snow visible every year on the local mountains, the dog's water bowl froze over a few times in winter, and there were apricots every summer. We have all noticed the lack of snow, overly warm winters, and I have yet to see the chicken's water freeze over. Our once reliable stone fruits of various kinds are not as dependable as they once were. We gardeners notice that our cool season vegetables bolt faster, or don't develop correctly, due to warmer winters. The insects that we battle return sooner, and we water more often.
There will be those who still do not believe in global warming - especially in light of the unusual rains this year (what drought?!), and the increased snow pack, although these extreme events are a good signal that climate change IS progressing. At any rate, even if you DON'T agree with the scientists, the fact is that we need to be aware of what and how much we consume, how much trash we generate, and how we raise our food. This is just being a good steward of our earth, and a responsible human being. Cause they're not making any more land!