A Yes it is. Only if we include the effects of man made greenhouse gases in the calculations of temperature can we account for the global temperatures that we observe.

Q Do you personally think it is a natural phenomenon (an A inevitable part of the earth’s continuous cycle) or a man-made effect?

A It’s not an either-or, it is a both-and situation. Climate change is natural, the result of variations in the position of the earth relative to the sun, the sun’s output, albedo, volcanoes, ocean currents – and the greenhouse effect. It is this last that we have changed. See above.

Q What impact do you think the media has on people’s opinions on global warming?

A Serious and adverse. 96% of climate scientists accept man-made global warming, but only about 55% of ordinary people accept it. This represents a major failure of the mainstream media. Journalists have shown themselves to be gullible, soaking up the arguments of the tiny handful of climate “sceptics”, who are influenced by oil corporations.

Q Should our attempts to overcome global warming go beyond party politics?

A Of course. Unfortunately many Conservatives have bought into the sceptic arguments, and UKIP and the BNP have swallowed them hook line and sinker. Labour and the LibDems say they believe GW is happening, but they lack the courage to make the necessary radical changes. Which leaves us with the Green Party, which should be supported by all environmentalists, as well as those who support social progress.

Q Do you personally believe that global warming is a high enough priority for people today?

A No it is not. It will take something like the Great Flood of London to get people to wake up, I’m sorry to say.

For more detail, please see my blog http://greenerblog.blogspot.com/2009/12/climate-change-debate-faqs.html

The Met Office says “The term ‘climate change’ usually refers to man-made changes that have occurred since the early 1900s.
While there are noticeable highs and lows in year to year data, over longer periods of time there is a discernable warming trend across the globe. Natural causes can explain only a small part of this warming. The overwhelming majority of scientists agree that this is due to rising concentrations of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere caused by human activities.” Here’s some evidence from NASA http://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/

Have a look at this projected temp rise globe from the Met Office http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KQ-cAqwtXs

Good info on NASA site http://climate.nasa.gov/effects/