The latest science is showing that sun spot cycles and very slight deviations in the planets orbit can cause significant climate change. History suggests that these shifts usually occur quickly, last for 100-200 years, then gradually abate. We're also beginning to find out that while CO2 emissions do have an impact on climate change, it's really only really responsible for about 35-40% of the increase in temperature over the past 200 years.

In short, there are many other variables going into play here, more than we initially realized.

What should be our reaction then, given the newest data that's coming out about this issue? Obviously the solution would be to move away from fossil fuels over time, and to move towards more sustainable agricultural and transportation systems, but there is a clear element of the uncontrollable here as well. We can't do much to shield the planet from the rays of the sun, nor can we adjust the orbit of the earth.

These shifts towards more sustainable environmental systems should be occurring anyways, regardless of whether climate change is a factor or not. Damage to our water table, soil resources, and air are impacting human health in very profound ways.

In short, we cannot react in an extreme manner to this situation. Nor should we pass a massive climate change bill that will hurt businesses, implement austerity, and encourage speculation in carbon credits in the world's stock markets.

I fear this about as much as Canadasucks fears the return of Jesus Christ. This fraud is being lead by politicians, (namely Al Gore) not scientist. That alone should make you skeptic.

There are two facets to the global warming discussion. The first is the scientific side which ignores all of the political considerations. This side of the argument is not being conducted by any credible spokesperson. If it were, all of us would know and agree on the "settled empirical" side, citing the recorded rise in ambient temperature worldwide, or the net vegetation effect, or the worldwide water level effect (from the icecaps melting) or the ozone effect, all with unquestionably accurate data. collected and published by reliable, non-agenda driven sources. This side does not exist. If it does, will someone cite it so we can all go look it up and be convinced as so many on the liberal side of the spectrum so zealously believe.

The political side of the discussion is most fascinating. Skeptics, like me, call for truth and objective, empirical data. Those who are convinced of the truthfulness and accuracy of the phenomenon mock and deride all skeptics and the decibel level simply escalates.

But, we are moving toward a worldwide solution spearheaded by the United Nations and a loose confederation of liberal activist and anarchy groups which will decimate (further, if you can imagine it) the US economy, even as the worst offending national economies around the world are given a complete pass on similar regulation. Is it scary? You bet.

Global Warming is a good thing because of these benefits:

(a) Keeps ice and snow off roads in winter, lessening auto accidents, reducing insurance rates.
(b) Results in longer growing season for crops, lessening world hunger.
(c) Keeps Sea lanes open in winter. More ice free ports.
(d) Melts enough glaciers to provide millions of gallons of water to irrigate crops in desert regions .
(e) Allows easier drilling of oil in Alaska to meet America's energy needs.
(f) Results in Greenland, Northern Finland, and Canada's NW Terrorities becoming vacation spots.
(g) Keeps food hot longer, reducing the need to microwave food or reheat coffee.
(h) Allows for quicker warm up time for cars in winter, saving gasoline, helping family budgets.
(i) Makes Alaska's interior region habitable, opening new room for more shopping malls.
(j) North Dakota will now be a winter vacation destination helping travel agents sell more trips.
(k) Less need for de icing planes in Chicago, Detroit and other cold climates , saving money.
(l) Less delays in air travel in winter due to weather.
(m) I enjoy seeing Al Gore get all worke up for no reason.

Too bad Global Warming is not true.

i know i should be more concerned about it. I have read some and should probably educate myself some more. but to be honest there are so many other immediate worries I have that this is not at the top of my list. Maybe when my bigger concerns get better this will be of bigger Importance. sorry!

Global warming is real and coming. We, as a human race, pollute air due to "higher technology" and careless outlook on life, creating more problems. Pollution affects ozone layer which in its turn unprotects us from radiation from the sun. Because of weak effect of ozone layer the heat melts ice and screws up temperature on Earth, you know the rest. It's sad that we take so many things for granted.

Nascar fans don't care about global warming, but I do. Global warming sucks and because of this our winter feels like spring and our spring feels like summer. It sucks dudes!

Global warming is primarily junk science. Yes, averages temperatures have raised moderately recently, but there's no reason to suspect that either it's our fault or that it's necessarily going to result in a cataclysm. In fact, 3 of the top sources of greenhouse gases are animals, trees, and volcanoes... all notably natural sources. Here's an excerpt from Jurassic Park, part of the foreword. I think Crichton explains global warming best: If the ozone layer gets thinner, ultraviolet radiation sears the Earth... so what? Ultraviolet radiation is good for life. It's powerful energy. It promotes mutation, change. Many forms of life will thrive with more UV radiation. Many others will die out. You think this is the first time that's happened? Think about oxygen. Necessary for life now, but oxygen is actually a metabolic poison. It's a corrosive gas, like fluorine. When oxygen was first produced as waste product by certain plant cells some three billion years ago, it created a crisis for all other life on Earth. Those plants were polluting the environment: exhaling a lethal gas! Earth eventually had an atmosphere incompatible with life. Nevertheless life on Earth took care of itself. I have no reason to worry about this. It probably won't do anything in our lifetime... or our children's... or our grandchildren's...

tboneya says it perfectly. This is something that might not affect most of us in our lifetimes, but it doesn't make it any less our problem. We have to start looking into other options, especially if we are hoping for the best with future generations.