Support Us!

Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

Subscribe or donate

Become a subscriber or donor. Even $50 will make a difference.
Advertise

We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.
Volunteer

We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.
Contribute

Got something to say? Submit an essay.

The National Forum

Subscribe!

On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML

Hidden variables part of global warming issue

By Frederic Jueneman - posted Tuesday, 21 November 2006

What might be the hidden variables? Has it occurred to anyone that historical episodes of global warming with elevated levels of carbon dioxide show that such past increases in a greenhouse gas is really an indicator and not a cause?

Such indicators, as used in chemical analysis, tell us that something has happened. But, unless you know what the indicator is for, expectations and conclusions can be misleading.

If the current increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is a hidden variable in global warming - an indicator of a deeper underlying cause - then simplistic answers by limiting our exhaust emissions to treat the effect may not be sufficient to get to the real cause.

This is not an issue that can be settled by debate, but by scientific evidence as to the root cause, which I suspect may be more unalterable than anticipated.