Accept that global warming will affect you

A recent letter calls global warming an invention of liberals. In fact, global warming is fully substantiated by an overwhelming majority of knowledgeable scientific and meteorological experts. Surface temperatures have risen more than 1.5 degrees in the past century. With the immense size of our oceans and air envelope, consider the amount of energy required in order to raise average temperatures even 0.1 degree.

The world's population is now over 7 billion and growing. Livestock population is up. Standards of living are increasing, more machinery in use, more goods and people being moved about, and more personal comfort systems in use. These all add much energy and greenhouse gasses into our environment. As these sources have accelerated, warming has also.

Greenhouse gases, like CO2, trap huge amounts of the sun's energy. Trees absorb CO2 but are being cut down in large numbers. So we have wild weather swings, melting ice caps, rising oceans and expanding deserts. These were predicted by the scientists.

A detailed explanation is covered by Wikipedia/Global Warming. Wikipedia is a highly respected Internet reference source. They do not accept advertising. They accept material only from knowledgeable sources, and they vet those to ensure the most accurate presentation is made. Articles are upgraded when information is available.

Why deny global warming? People distrust politicians and media. Some can't accept the possible impact on them, so they go into denial. People see climate as what is happening to them where they are at any one time. Even with global warming, we can have record cold temps at various times and places. But that's weather. Climate study is global and complex. It involves science and statistics that are well beyond the comprehension of the average person.

Richard Cichanski

Palatine