Though there is some scepticism that climate change is a result of human actions, it is unlikely to be a natural event. Some dismiss the phenomenon known as “global warming" as a hoax, and claim that yuppies driving SUVs could not possibly change the overall temperature of the earth. In a sense, this misguided notion is true- but climate change is much more than “yuppies driving SUVs.” It is industry freely burning fossil fuels to make a profit, and about the fact that every person on the earth requires energy, a clean source for which does not yet exist, or has not been implemented because of the tight grip governments and corporations hold on their stake in energy (fossil fuels), on which they know every person is dependant.

Nine of the eleven hottest years in the 20th century have occurred since 1985, which is not consistent with a natural trend [Haines et al., 1998]. Glacier shrinkage is occurring at a much faster rate than can be explained by natural trends [Oerlermans, 1994]. Even when the heat effects of volcanoes and other misleading weather phenomena that would make the temperature of the earth seem higher than it actually is are taken out of conside

Not all of the effects of global warming appear to be negative ones, however, despite the barrage of predicted woes. In many colder areas, for example, warmer temperatures would lengthen the growing season. Northern countries such as Canada and Russia, along with the more northern areas of the United States, should reap the rewards of longer growing seasons. Several studies have shown that, while some regions will suffer agriculturally, America’s nationwide food production will not decline substantially. In fact, recent assessments suggest that the beneficial effects of climate change would probably offset the adverse ones in America’s general agricultural production. A 1995 study conducted by the USDA concluded that even a three to five degree Celsius warming of the atmosphere shouldn’t effect America’s agricultural production significantly.

Initiatives aimed at reducing the world’s greenhouse gas emissions by shrinking industries, implementing a “carbon tax” and other such attempts do not take into account the effects they will have on the people that depend on these industries for their livelihood. It can be shown that, to lower one’s income, even indirectly by the economic impacts a carbon tax would have, is to decrease one’s ability to access the basic requirements of life, including healthcare.

Pulmonary disease is also prominent during warming. The pulmonary aspects of global warming appear as increased levels of aero-allergens. Altered concentrations of aero allergens, i.e. spores and moulds, as well as air-pollutants, such as ozone, are produced by the photochemical reactions that are sensitive to temperature [Emberlin, 1994]. The heat generated by global warming has been shown to increase levels of allergens, especially pollen [Ziska and Caulfield, 2000]. An increase of allergens is associated with rising levels of asthma, especially during the first three years of a child’s life [Wahn et al., 1997]. Pollutant gases are directly linked to worsening pulmonary health. Von Mutius [2000] reports that a study from Germany revealed increases in the prevalence of bronchitis and chronic cough, correlating with individual exposure to ozone, among other pollutant gases.

Modern agriculture has made an attempt to counteract these obstacles, through irrigation, the substitution of labour through energy-intensive practices, as well as plant-breeding for heat and water-stress tolerant crops. This adaptation requires initiatives by individual farmers or companies, and financing, which is often difficult to come by.

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