As with any controversial, highly publicized and dramatic issue as global warming, there are many points of view. It should not be expected that everyone will have the same understanding of these historic circumstances. In fact, emotions run very high when the possibility of the end of life as we know it presents itself. Some persons take the threat seriously while others look for any way to discredit the possibility. Granted, there have been times when scientists predicted disaster and the feared event never happened.

The fact is that humans have been depositing enormous amounts of carbon-based pollution into the earth’s atmosphere for decades. At the same time, forests are being destroyed, leaving fewer trees to cleanse the air. Cities have been experiencing air quality problem for decades as well. We all must admit that humans have not done a great job of protecting the environment that supports our lives.

Let’s look at a few of the more popular myths about global warming:

(1) “If we take this global warming thing too seriously, it will hurt the economy and jobs will be lost.”

It is correct to think that in some sectors jobs will be lost in industries such as petroleum, internal combustion engines, carbon-based power plants and the like. Industries based on fossil fuels and non-renewable energy will eventually cease to exist, and rightly so. These technologies are outdated and have been proven harmful to humans and the environment.

New jobs will then be created within renewable and non-polluting industries. These new industries will need employees and contractors to build new infrastructures and new facilities that are friendly to the environment. The secret here is to get training for employment in these new industries.

(2) “Water vapor is also a greenhouse gas, so why don’t we worry about it instead of Carbon Dioxide?”

It is true that increased amounts of water vapor act as a greenhouse gas, however, the amount of water vapor in the air is dictated by the temperature of the earth. When the temperature is higher, more water vapor is formed. The excessive presence of Carbon Dioxide increases the earth’s temperature thereby increasing the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere. The real issue is to control the Carbon Dioxide, and the water vapor will control itself as the temperature is regulated normally.

(3) “Global warming has happened before on the earth. Why are we so worried about it now?”

While it is true that the earth has experienced warming followed by ice ages in the past, these have occurred naturally over millions of years. The geological record tells us that these events happened slowly and naturally. The recent events of global warming are happening rapidly as a result of excessive carbon-based gases being released by human actions, not naturally occurring events.

While panic is not the correct response to the situation, clear thinking is. We must be honest with ourselves about how our lifestyles affect the environment and what we should be doing to reduce our carbon footprint.