Another Reason For Climate Change......

[10ClarionSt]

.......is something you may have noticed every day. It's a big yellow thing in the sky called the Sun. That's what drives the climate on this planet, nothing else. However, you mustn't ignore the self-centred, glory-seeking scientists who seem to be basing everything on Spinach type calculations. Otherwise, everything's fine thanks! :o)

[bobbinwales]

//you mustn't ignore the self-centred, glory-seeking scientists who seem to be basing everything on Spinach type calculations//

... or the windup merchants or those whose so convinced there right and 99.9% of expert's are all wrong that they have to tell us

[jim360]

// That's what drives the climate on this planet, nothing else. //

Obviously 10CS is beyond redemption, but for everybody else: Even by this warped and complete misunderstanding of science, this is manifestly false. An obviously relevant, in fact a more relevant, factor is the presence of an composition of an atmosphere. Hence why the Moon and the Earth, both of which are equidistant from the Sun, have wildly different climates. If, as the post claims, "[The Sun] drives the climate on this planet, nothing else", then this couldn't possibly be the case.

It's beyond satire at this point. There's no attempt at critical thinking whatsoever on display. As it so happens, too, the impact of the Sun, and its changes in behaviour, on the Climate are also a topic of active research, so it's not like the possibility hadn't occurred to experts.

[10ClarionSt]

Thanks for the replies.

I am beyond 'redemption', as you call it. The moon isn't a planet and wasn't formed in the same way as the other planets. What's happening is called weather. No, it is. Honest! The sun causes the weather. The weather changes, just occasionally and things sometimes get very wet and/or very warm. It's the sun wot dun it yer battleship.

[jim360]

The distinction between planets and moons is, at least somewhat, arbitrary. Some moons have atmospheres, and if they do, they'd also have weather. And then, of course, the atmosphere is the distinguishing factor as to whether they do or not.

It's obvious that the Sun, combined with the atmosphere, is the primary driver of weather and climate. But the *combination* is important. The composition of the atmosphere is as responsible for the weather and temperature, if not more so, than the Sun. As an example, strip away the atmosphere (or at least the greenhouse gases within it), and the Earth's average temperature drops by some 30-odd degrees.

As a general rule of thumb, if you start off by assuming something scientific is simple then you'll quickly be led astray. Things are invariably more complicated than you'd like. Especially in systems as complex as the Earth, when you have to consider interactions between land, sea, and air. Just saying "it's all the Sun", as if that settles the question, is a great way to be certain of being wrong.

There's no personal attack, here. There's no shame in being, at least initially, unable to keep track of scientific developments and the understanding that emerges from them. Science is hard. But it's precisely that hardness that makes the obstinacy of insisting it's so simple such a shame. Learn, research, admit your gaps in understanding, accept your ignorance and strive to reduce it! Have no shame over them. But never make the mistake of thinking that you know better and that there's nothing more for you to learn.

[naomi24]

// never make the mistake of thinking that you know better and that there's nothing more for you to learn. //

Advice that applies to everyone?

[jim360]

Obviously. Even in fields where I'm one of the world's leading experts (no exaggeration), I'd never be so stupid as to assume I don't have to learn anything more about them. Science is a collaborative effort, so we always have more to learn from others, both past and present. And science is hard, so both individually and collectively we'll never run out of things to learn.

[naomi24]

Hmmm...

[jim360]

Hmmm what :P

[naomi24]

The 'hmm' signifies doubt.

[youngmafbog]

I'll double Hmm that too.

Some seem to think they are more equal than others.

And isnt scientific fact only fact until someone proves otherwise? Surely the only way science can advance is for theories (and that really is what man made climate change is) to be questions?

[bobbinwales]

I think jims saying something like 99% is known on this leaving 1%, but that 1% unknown don't mean the known 99% is wrong.

[youngmafbog]

I am challenging that.

Man made climate change is largely based on modelling and data from a minuscule section of time, and we all know the problems there now dont we.

[bobbinwales]

well one things thats clear from answerbank is once people have made there mind up on something no amount of evidence and scientific concensus is going to make them even consider changing there mind especially if the scientific opinion come's from someone younger

[ToraToraTora]

I think 10cs is turning into Hymie and Gulliver.
10cs = Climate change
Hymie = Brexit
Gulliver = Anti Tory
Talk about type cast ladies!

[naomi24]

Apart from doubting that global warming is essentially man-made, I doubt that Jim often takes the advice he so readily preaches to others.

[douglas9401]

Stroke of luck Jim wandering by, gives the rest of us a day off from the badgerer known as naomi.

[naomi24]

Douglas, if it's any consolation, I'm not keen on your either, but I do have the good grace not to mention it ... often.

[naomi24]

*you - not your.

[douglas9401]

Dammit! I forgot she can multi-task!

Crushed btw, utterly crushed. x

[Gromit]

You are right.
The Sun provides us with radiation.
Our planet has a delicate mechanism, and changes gradually all the time.
Various natural things change the planet. Volcanoes, solar activity, forestation.
And various unnatural things change it too, burning fossil fuels, deforestation, chemicals.
The greenhouse gas effect was discovered two centuries ago, but some people are very slow learners.