Global Warming: Claims, Science, and Consequences

Widespread (and seemingly dominant) claims about the dire consequences of anthropogenic global warming (AGW) have been propagated by both scientists and politicians and have been prominently featured by much of the mass media. This talk will examine some of those claims --- such as those made in the popular pro-AGW film, \textit{An Inconvenient Truth}$^{1}$ --- from the perspectives of science$^{2}$ and scientific methodology$^{3}$. Some of the issues considered will be: What are the major ``greenhouse gases''? To what extent is global warming a result of human influences through an increase of ``greenhouse gases''? Is an increase in (1) global temperature and (2) carbon dioxide bad/good? What are some meanings that can be given to the term ``consensus'' in science? What are the estimated financial and other costs of governments implementing the Kyoto accords? Links to readings and videos will be given at the conclusion of the talk. \newline $^{1}$Gore, Al, \textit{An Inconvenient Truth}\textit{: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It} -- (Rodale Press, May, 2006). \newline $^{2}$Marlo Lewis, ``A Skeptic's Guide to An Inconvenient Truth'' http://www.cei.org/pages/ait\_response-book.cfm \newline $^{3}$Aaron Wildavsky, \textit{But Is It True? A Citizen's Guide to Environmental Health and Safety Issues }(Harvard University Press, 1995), Intro. and Chap. 11.