For the second group of individuals who do not believe in global warming, the results are just as mixed as previously. Although they all seem to very intelligent individuals, none of the three could provide a definition of exactly what global warming was. Although two of them pointed out that greenhouse gases plays a factor. They explained that their understanding or knowledge of global warming has come from multiple sources, and all professed a strong distrust of traditional media outlets as viable and truthful information. One of them interestingly cited the novel "State of Fear" as a strong impetus for why he does not believe in the existence of global warming. "State of Fear" is a novel written by Michael Crichton which supposedly expounds on the media manipulation of individual's fears on global warming. In general these individuals seemed to have more knowledge on global warming than those who believed strongly in it, however only one of them answered the question on the actual rise in temperature correctly. They admit that their knowledge on this subject is still particularly weak, and the majority of their negative impression of the current global warming debate comes from their distrust of media sources as accurate information. In the final conclusion, it appears that this group is only slightly more informed than individuals of the first group, however they appear to take a "maverick" approach to the situation and still do not have a clear understanding of what global warming really is and the processes by which it is caused and how it affects the world.
The final group of three individuals answered all of the scientific questions regarding global warming correctly. They were all very informed on the subject, two of them having taken geology classes that deal specifically with the question of global warming. All of them provided an accurate to semi-accurate definition of global warming as the process by which the greenhouse affect raises the Earth's temperature. They were very knowledgeable on the scientific aspect of global warming and through this understanding all three answered that they were somewhat believing in global warming. Two of these individuals explained that they believed global warming exists but that there are many mitigating factors that over exaggerates the real harm caused by greenhouse emissions. Their lucid account shows that they have done real research into the existence of global warming. These three individuals represent a very small sector of the real American populace. The fact that they have specifically delved into the question of global warming gives them a clear picture of the facts associated with it without bias from the media.
Overall the interview process revealed no real surprises. The majority of individuals who actually believe in global warming do so because of media influence. Their understanding of global warming as a specter of danger rather than concrete scientific definition is extremely disturbing. It is also an accurate picture of the reality of the American public's perception of global warming. Only a very small slice of the pejorative population actually understands the facts behind global warming. Upon understanding these facts, few are inclined to completely thrust themselves into the mainstream understanding of the dynamics of the
Through this interview and the survey, a vivid and diverse picture of global warming and its actual understanding on the populace has been painted.
Conclusion:
The extent and probability of severe consequences to the Earth as a result of global warming is still being assessed by scientists around the world. Already, world agencies, governments and private organizations have thrust themselves in creating methods to decrease pollution and eliminate the factors that lead to global warming. The development of new technologies that provide cleaner and more efficient methods of fuel consumption is one of the growing trends in greenhouse reduction research. Other measures and strategies taken to mitigate global warming include renewable energy, improving carbon dioxide sinks, and the deliberate production sulfate aerosols. The world's current and primary international agreement on fighting the rise of global warming effects is the Kyoto Protocol. This protocol was an amendment started within the United Nations. Countries through the Kyoto Protocol commit to a reduction of their carbon dioxide emission as well as five other key greenhouse gases. Although hundreds of countries have already signed this protocol, the United States, the biggest polluter in the world has yet to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. Overall global warming has become the biggest "environmental crisis" in the past half century as more and more scientists, politicians, media personalities, and other official world influencers begin to rally around it to raise both awareness and social concern. The evidence of their effectiveness is in the fact that the majority of Americans believe in global warming's existence and its real environment concerns. However, true understanding of global warming and its real causes and effects have yet been fully discovered. Until that time, reservations will always exist about the reality of this situation.
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