National Geographic: Melting Mars Means Man-Made Global Warming a Myth

NewsBusters, National Geographic ^ | 3/1/2007 | Noel Sheppard

[AT7Saluki]

...Regardless, the earth-shattering piece began ...

Simultaneous warming on Earth and Mars suggests that our planet's recent climate changes have a natural—and not a human-induced—cause, according to one scientist's controversial theory.

The article marvelously continued:

Earth is currently experiencing rapid warming, which the vast majority of climate scientists says is due to humans pumping huge amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. (Get an overview: "Global Warming Fast Facts".)

Mars, too, appears to be enjoying more mild and balmy temperatures.

In 2005 data from NASA's Mars Global Surveyor and Odyssey missions revealed that the carbon dioxide "ice caps" near Mars's south pole had been diminishing for three summers in a row.

Habibullo Abdussamatov, head of the St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory in Russia, says the Mars data is evidence that the current global warming on Earth is being caused by changes in the sun.

"The long-term increase in solar irradiance is heating both Earth and Mars," he said.

[guitfiddlist]

An inconvenient fact for Al Gorebbels' "Inconvenient Truth" propaganda piece.

[cogitator]

But it's only been a portion of 1C during the first part of the 20th century and general cooling since then.

General cooling since when? The 1930s?

[California74]

I've always thought that those who expect our climate to remain static are the kooks.

I had a conversation about Global Warming last night with my 14 year old cousin who told me that she's been really scared by a all the talk about Global Warming and specifically, a commercial on TV about it that she keeps seeing. We discussed it, and she then came to the conclusion that the climate is probably changing "just like the seasons." Smart kid. :)

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

The left (media) is disgusting. notice these 2 quotes: "one scientist's controversial theory."
"The article marvelously continued:" The leftist-oriented media can't resist telling us how to think.
It's obvious that they would really prefer not reporting on this fact.

[cinives]

You need to read the article a little more closely: Earth is currently experiencing rapid warming

While I agree with you that based on the science Earth temps have increased a pretty puny (IMO) .7% C, this guy calls that "rapid warming".

What's up with that ?

[GourmetDan]

"We are currently in a critical transition phase. Within the next 90 days we can expect the entire northern hemisphere to experience a significant increase in the average daily temperature. This will result in substantial melting of the frozen ground cover and perhaps flooding of low lying areas."

That's funny. Hee-hee-hee!

"Scientists are currently seeking federal grants to fund research necessary to explain the causes and help to limit the impact. They warn that new taxes are almost surely required to fund the necessary retraining of citiznes to correct their behavior and attitudes."

Follow the money...

[bcsco]

We discussed it, and she then came to the conclusion that the climate is probably changing "just like the seasons." Smart kid. :)

Good for her - and you! If this assault by the left is going to be answered it will have to be on the personal level as well as the scientific.

[DungeonMaster]

If Mars is warming anyway, let's terraform the damn place and turn it into a CONSERVATIVE planet-wide Republic like the US is supposed to me. ;-)

Red state/Red planet.

[cogitator]

I listened to an interview Limbaugh conducted yesterday with a noted former NASA scientist/meteorologist.

Roy Spencer has been a conservate favorite for a long time. First because his satellite data (analyzed with John Christy) didn't show any warming; then, after discovery of several methodological errors, a reanalysis of the data showed significant warming (other groups analyzing the same data find an even stronger signal than Spencer and Christy). So now, he has, begrudgingly but with scientific honesty dogging him, gone over to the position that the Earth is warming, any future warming will be moderate, and the human contribution is still uncertain.

This position (in bold)) is now the refuge of skeptics who are trying to remain honest about what the data is increasingly indicating, without entirely abandoning their skepticism.

I believe, however, that as more information from responsible scientists, climatologists and meteorologists comes out, we've come to realize that while there is something that is causing the earth to warm at this time, little has to do with man's affect on our environment.

The position of the majority of climate scientists who aren't trying to preserve their skeptical bona fides is that the human contribution (atmospheric greenhouse gases) is the dominant factor currently affecting climate.

Please give those of us not blessed to be among the scientific community credit for due diligence in developing an understanding of a complex issue, and advancing our position as the situation changes.

Absolutely: and if you do so, it's important to know the backgrounds (and history) of individuals espousing a given position. I hope I was helpful.

[decimon]

Habibullo Abdussamatov

There's a name to quote in your next argument.

[cogitator]

Global warming is a fact.

Then why are you talking about seasonal hemispheric variability?

[FlatLandBeer]

Yea it is a RED planet.

[MooseMan]

Mars, too, appears to be enjoying more mild and balmy temperatures.

When's this global warming coming to Earth?!?

It's freekin' 27 degrees in Seattle IN MARCH!!

I'm welcoming Global Warming with open arms!!!

[r9etb]

So, you essentially missed my point.

No.

[ChessExpert]

b) the earth is cooler now than 1000 years ago.

“That cannot really be said with any confidence.”

I have gone to websites you have linked. I cannot accept you claims with any confidence.

[Kenny Bunk]

Mr. Limbaugh: "Not Our Fault, therefore No Global Warming.

Since I am no fan of the formerly fat boy, lemme say that this NOT, repeat NOT, IMHO, what the wannabe pro golfer says.

Nor I either. Recent measurements seem to reliably indicate a Global Warming trend. The question is, "Is this man's doing?" Sensible answers range from 1 to 2:

(1)"Maybe.... quizás, peut-être, the teensiest bit in certain tiny micro-regions, like Mexico City, sitting in its bowl-shaped depression at 6,000 feet. But nobody knows, because that black cloud of crap hanging over most of neighbor republic's high colonial cities just might be keeping them cooler!

(2) No.

After all, when the Vikings were farming Greenland in the 12th, and 13TH centuries, it was one hell of a lot warmer place than it is now. They didn't call it "Greenland," cause it was the same color as ice, which of course, being Vikings, they had certainly seen before.

And at one point, fine wine grapes grew in England.

So before Fat Al thinks about selling the McMansions, maybe he should check out solar activity, the Earth's Precessionary period, its changing angle toward the Sun, undersea volcanic activity etc. etc. etc. etc.

The earth is warmer? OK, if you say so, but so what? Scientifically speaking, we have nothing to do with it. Rising sea levels? Nah. I'd be more worried about buildings built on permafrost. That could effect some big cities in Siberia. We might have to beef up the bases of the Alaska Pipeline. Those caribou tragically affected by drilling in the ANWAR will not be affected, too much, one of course, prays.

Worry? Be my guest, Mr. Gore, and bring your fans.

[IrishBrigade]

...is it possible you missed the obvious and brilliant sarcasm in the post you respond to...

[Bat_Chemist]

More importantly, did you sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night?

[cogitator]

Reproduced (again) from an earlier post:

I've already addressed the entire Solar System in this thread, in post 50. I've grabbed it again for you. All of the quotes are from articles on the Internet (not left-wing sites) regarding the phenomena being observed. Use Google with the name of the planetary body and the word "warming". http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1727767/posts

Regarding Mars: "Thus inferring global warming from a 3 Martian year regional trend is unwarranted. The observed regional changes in south polar ice cover are almost certainly due to a regional climate transition, not a global phenomenon, and are demonstrably unrelated to external forcing."

Regarding Jupiter: "The latest images could provide evidence that Jupiter is in the midst of a global change that can modify temperatures by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit on different parts of the globe. ... The global change cycle began when the last of the white oval-shaped storms formed south of the Great Red Spot in 1939. As the storms started to merge between 1998 and 2000, the mixing of heat began to slow down at that latitude and has continued slowing ever since." [No linkage to solar variability suggested]

Regarding Pluto: "The change is likely a seasonal event, much as seasons on Earth change as the hemispheres alter their inclination to the Sun during the planet's annual orbit. ... Though Pluto was closest to the Sun in 1989, a warming trend 13 years later does not surprise David Tholen, a University of Hawaii astronomer involved in the discovery. "It takes time for materials to warm up and cool off, which is why the hottest part of the day on Earth is usually around 2 or 3 p.m. rather than local noon," Tholen said. "This warming trend on Pluto could easily last for another 13 years." [No link to solar variability suggested, though there is a link to solar insolation, similar to Milankovitch forcing of Earth's climate]

Regarding Triton: " There are two possible explanations for the moon's warmer weather. One is that the frost pattern on Triton's surface may have changed over the years, absorbing more and more of the sun's warmth. The other is that changes in reflectivity of Triton's ice may have caused it to absorb more heat." [No link to solar variability suggested]

Regarding Enceladus, warming is not even suggested. The question is about how Enceladus has an internal heat source allowing the generation of water-ice jets.

Regarding Saturn: The observation is that Saturn's south pole is "warm", with a polar vortex due to atmospheric circulation. No global warming is suggested and no linkage to solar activity or variability is suggested.

[LexBaird]

Folks tend to combine these two questions such that "Global Warming, Therefore Our Fault". The counter by such noted scientists as Mr. Limbaugh is to say, "Not Our Fault, therefore No Global Warming." Interestingly, these are logically equivalent statements -- and both wrong.

Wouldn't it be nice if every "self-esteem" class was dumped and a class in formal logic was taught instead? Then people might recognize the "post hoc, ergo promter hoc" BS when the MSM feeds it to them.