You are then a believer, rather than a nay-sayer? What do you base your convictions on? Not trying to be provocative, please understand. Would like to learn whether others share my personal convictions on this. imp
Believer is a loaded word. It implies blind faith.
I do however accept that the data is indicating that the earth's major systems are becoming more energetic - the oceans are warmer as are the land surfaces and the atmosphere. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and we are experiencing much bigger storm cells. It is arguable but it does seem that water that was locked up in glaciers, ice sheets and arctic tundras is being released as the ice melts and runs down to the oceans faster than replacement levels. Tree lines on mountains are shifting in response to warmer conditions and species of fish that were once mostly tropical are now seen in waters at latitudes further from the equator.
Measurements of sea level across the globe are showing steady increase over the last 100 years - not just as local phenomena which could be explained by isostatic movements of the crust, but as averages across the globe. I'm not sure what the salinity measurements are showing but increased melt water from large ice sheets such as those in Greenland, Antarctica and the north polar region are expected to cause lower salinity levels and the effect of this is to cause volumetric expansion of the oceans. So does increased temperature of the water. Both effects have their root cause in global warming.
I also accept the thermodynamics that underpins these observations - the earth is not a closed system. We receive energy from the sun and radiate heat back into space. In a state of equilibrium the energy absorbed would equal the energy dispersed. However, if less energy is radiated away than is absorbed, then the earth's systems - weather, ocean currents etc - will become more energetic - warmer, more violent etc.
What causes the disturbance to the equilibrium ? Science says it is the composition of the atmosphere which we, i.e. humans, have been changing ever since the industrial revolution when we discovered various fossil fuels as a useful source of cheap energy. With accelerating reliance on fossil fuels we see a corresponding increase in the percentage composition of CO2 and in increasing average global temperatures.
It is time to move towards economies that do not depend on cheap fossil fuels. We need to decarbonise and develop alternative energy systems before conditions on this planet become unbearable for some, uneconomic for others and disruptive to civilisation and good government.
Don't ask me for links to back up my reasoning. I haven't got either the time or energy to dredge up all of the scientific literature that has informed my opinions.
