No Need to Panic About Global Warming?

Global warming has long been one of the most debated topics of the 21st century. While there is no arguing that sea levels are rising and glaciers are melting, whether or not global warming is the culprit it the key question. Until recently, most scientists and most people were passionate about creating solutions to stop the fast rate of global warming, but now, according to new findings, many scientists now believe that global warming is not occurring at the rate we once thought it was. In fact, many argue that there is really no need to put forth so much effort toward mechanisms to stop it. Says the article, “The lack of warming for more than a decade—indeed, the smaller-than-predicted warming over the 22 years since the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) began issuing projections—suggests that computer models have greatly exaggerated how much warming additional CO2 can cause.” If this really is the case, then we can all just take a deep breath and rest assured that our grandkids will indeed have a good quality of life. However, I do believe that there is certainly no harm in trying to make the earth healthier. CO2 is not the only contributing factor to global warming, anyway. Pollutants from all over the world increase the effects of global warming. Even though it might not be happening at the rate we once thought it was, I think we should continue to recycle and clean up trash and install solar panels and carpool, etc. Many species of animals are on the brink of extinction because of the quickly changing climate. Global warming is still happening, and scientists cannot deny that.

Found: The Earthiest New Planet Yet

Scientists believe they have finally found a world that contains all the right conditions for life- it is very similar to Earth. The new planet is known as HD 40307g, and, though it is nearly seven times the size of Earth, it contains water and is just the right temperature. Scientists know that HD 40307g orbits around a home star, and that it actually rotates, just as Earth does. This means that the planet is most likely a nice "toasty" temperature on all sides, all the time. Other Earthlike planets have been found in the past, but HD 40307g stands out amongst them because it rotates. If a planet does not rotate, its temperature would be permanently freezing on one side and scorching on the other, making it difficult for a human-like species to inhabit it. The downside to the new world is that it is 44 light years away, whereas other (though less suitable worlds) have been found just 4 light years away. However, 44 light years away is really nearby in comparison to other planets the Keplar space telescope has found. It's interesting to note that within the past three or four years, space discoveries have been on a significant rise. I think it's fascinating to think of the vastness of the universe, how we are just one tiny spec in the grand scheme of things. The idea that other life is probably out there somewhere makes me glad that we have programs like NASA to eventually find them. I have heard that scientists are trying to find a new planet that is suitable for human life, in case someday the human race can no longer survive on this Earth. I guess that's a good idea to try to line up an alternative planet, but if it ever comes to that then it would have been mostly the human race's fault anyway, because we are the ones ruining the forests and water sources and ozone layer, but that's another topic entirely.

http://science.time.com/2012/11/08/found-the-earthiest-new-planet-yet/