Understanding the Science of Climate Change

It seems like everyone has an opinion on climate change these days. Bitter debates and heated disagreements can be witnessed taking place everywhere from town halls, school lunchrooms and doctor’s offices to supermarkets, neighborhood parks and public transits. But opinion is simply that: mere opinion.

The following videos are easy-to-follow explanations of how and why most expert climate scientists have come to the conclusion that human-generated (anthropogenic) carbon gases are tipping the ecological balance and changing the climate. To be fair, the producers of these short videos also include discussion of the views of climate scientists who are skeptics. Both videos are accessible and clearly presented.

The evidence for the human influence on climate change continues to accumulate. And, regardless of how much the oil companies and corporations spend funding lobby groups and campaigns of confusion (see below), the data continually gathered by 1000s of researchers from 100s of organizations all over the world speaks for itself. The planet is rapidly warming and human carbon outputs are driving this process. And no scientific body of national or international standing has maintained a dissenting opinion since 2007. [source]

This first video is a 10-minute summary of the prevailing scientific arguments and counter-arguments of contemporary climate science. It is not intended to be an exhaustive treatment of the topic, but rather as an overview of the relevant arguments made both for and against the impact of humanity on current climate changes.

This second video looks at possible alternative hypotheses explaining global warming. The filmmakers include only hypotheses put forward by actual, professional climate researchers and the findings of those actual, professional climate researchers who disagree with them.

Scientific opinion on climate change is given by synthesis reports, scientific bodies of national or international standing, and surveys of opinion among climate scientists. If you disagree with what real, professional climate scientists say, please take it up with them and don’t expect me to defend their point of view in detail. I am not a climate scientist. Also, if you have a stunning piece of scientific evidence that claims to disprove one view or another, don’t waste your time on this blog, write a paper, and get it peer-reviewed and published in a reputable scientific journal.