Global Warming, do you believe it or not?

It is a recurring topic that probably annoys many of us. The media convince us that we must change our lives very soon to limit the damage we are already doing.

Do you believe it is actually happening or not?

Discuss here.

No why should I?

I believe in climate change but not global WARMING.

Thats interesting Sean, how do you think the climate is changing if its not warming? Do you think its the world is cooling?

Can't say i believe the world is cooling but it is certainly warming up, i'm skeptical about the Arctic becoming ice free in X number of years but i do feel temperatures are on the rise globally but whether it will impact on the UK weather in terms of a warming up sence is uncertain though. A warming planet does not gurantee a hot dry summer and a mild wet winter.

I wonder if the warmest Jan 2010 on record (globally) is enough to prove the globe is still warming. The El Nino year of 98 was the reason 97/98 was the warmest year on record (the lack of strong El nino has meant temps were cooler in the 2000's) They was fluctuating. So no real trend. Top end Feb likely?

El Nino responsible for this Jan

I think its cooling because this winter was very cold. But its also warm at times aswell so its like going both ways.

But you have it to look at it Globally, globally it was one of warmest winters/summers on record (both hemispheres)

How come America had these snow storms? I heard tropical places had snow aswell. Which is very rare.

America always get snowstorms though Sean, its just the sheer volume of snow that makes it newsworthy.

Just because global warming is occuring does not mean we can't get cold weather to occur in western europe.

How come Vancouver had to import snow for the winter olympics! There's been unusual weather patterns this year. The strong El Nino and the record strong -AO has lead to some intense cold in places. We have been on the right side of the blocking. Other areas such as southern Europe have been much milder. The Jet stream taking lows much further South. Interestingly El Nino seems to be fading. I suspect a cold start to spring is possible (for us) with the current state of the stratosphere!

Yeah but I heard some states in America got snow where theres no records in the last few 100 years of any!

Warmer oceans, more moisture, angle of the jet, bumping into cold air?

There is no doubt that our planet has warmed over the past century. What I have doubts about, however, is what has caused it. Personally, I feel we should take the "better be safe than sorry" route and take action now.