(J0k3r @ Nov. 28 2006,10:52)
QUOTE
Anyway, is this warming anthropogenic? Given the lack of long term records, it is hard to say objectively. ?What is certain is that there is global climate instability, a recent rise in global temperatures and sea ice in the arctic and antarctic is reducing scary fast. ?Maybe it is the global climate re-adjusting itself before the plunge into the next ice age. ?In which case, kiss goodbye to the northern hemisphere. ?How'd you like to like below a kilometer of ice? ?
However if its is anthropogenic change then its our responsibility to deal with it. ?Indeed the human benefits of cleaning up our act are worth tackling climate change alone- ie less dependence on finite natural resources = greater global security, more biodiversity = improved quality of life, less pollution = cleaner air. ?Given those benefits alone, tackling climate change is simply an added bonus! ?
The counter point is that our actions may not mean much to the planet- compared to say the Deccan Flats erupting our burning of carbon is paltry in comparison, however we should be far more focussed on whether we render the planet habitable for ourselves. ?Currently there are far too many of us and we are stressing our ecosystem. ?Unless we want to have a massive poulation re-adjustment we need to clean our act up.
Oops, got a bit carried away there ?
When you come down to it, CO2 is a climate warming gas, burning fossil fuels releases more than there presently should be in to the atmosphere.
It is easy to blame a specific nation, or political figure (and believe me I do have gripes like everyone else), but when you come down to it, we ALL are guilty of contributing to climate change and environmental degradation.
There are massive problems, from an ecological perspective, with the Western consumer lifestyle - which developing nations are now aspiring to emulate and catch up with.
Nothing short of radical change is neccessary, but we are all caught up in our lifestyle/cultural millieu, and short of completely dropping out of it, there seems little we can do.
Of course, this is not the total truth, which is why when an Environmental group is lobbying politicians or governments to pass laws to protect the environment, I add my name to it. I do get frustrated - I want to recycle more, but our local authority doesn't do much to encourage it, other than paper and glass bottles.
I think a lot of apathy has to be overcome - the public could sway governments (locally, nationally & internationally) to exact such changes.
It's so complicated, it does get me down sometimes with worry 
) seriuosly tho, i'm glad even the dwarves are begining to get it, we have to last long enough to get REAL space travel for people, ?or think of all the wonderfull things we might miss !
) - i do have a science education, quite alot actually (Master of Science and then some), further my line of work, and my wifes, keeps me updated regularly.
).