The Earth is getting warmer, but Alabama's state
climatologist says carbon fuels aren't to blame.
John Christy, who heads the Earth System Science Center
at the University of Alabama- Huntsville, told a group of
civic and business leaders Tuesday that the Earth's warming
is well within historical ranges.
He spoke at the Energy and Environment Lecture sponsored
by Auburn Montgomery and Alabama Power Co.
Carbon dioxide levels have increased 38 percent in the
last 100 years, Christy said, leading to an increase in
the average surface temperature of about 1.26 degrees.
Even if carbon dioxide doubled, temperatures would increase
only about 3.6 degrees, according to Christy.
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"The climate is always in change," he said. "Glaciers
are always advancing or retreating.
"Think of it this way, would you rather the glaciers
be advancing?"
Energy use, specifically carbon-based fuels such as coal,
is responsible for some temperature increases, Christy said.
But the societal benefits of energy far outweigh the
pollution, he added.
Life expectancy has soared over the last 100 years, he
said, largely because of more efficient energy uses. That
makes solutions that call for an end to carbon-based
fuels unrealistic.
Full
article here.
