An Introduction.
Ok let's begin by introducing some general information about global warming and the 2012 debate.
Global warming is real...
Firstly, global warming does exist. So does global cooling. The planet has undergone changes to climate and weather throughout mankind's history on Earth and before that time too. It follows then that global warming or cooling does have other causes, things outside of the control of mankind. The big question now and for the past few decades, is whether or not man has accelerated the process through pouring industrial waste in the atmosphere, destroying rainforests etc.
We hear a lot about CO2 through the media and certain areas of the scientific community, as well as bodies like the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). CO2 is a so called 'greenhouse gas' and plays a part in protecting the planet and it's atmosphere. Though the part it plays is very small. That's right, small. It makes up around a half a percent of the greenhouse gases. By far the largest and most important greenhouse gas is water vapour, around 95%. Something we have no control over when you consider that the planet is two thirds water! It's worth bearing in mind too, that of that less than half a percent, only a fraction of it is man made. CO2 is a naturally occurring gas, we breathe it out, as do animals, it's also created by dying and rotting foliage and a host of other sources.
So, is mankind's contribution to CO2 enough to change climate? In part, that's what this site is about and we'll get back to that question in other articles. But bear it in mind, think about it.
Now to 2012...
In case you've not heard about it, 2012, specifically December 21st 2012, is proclaimed by many to be doomsday. Yes, the end of the world! By others it's considered to be a date for change, something will occur that will change the planet and life as we know it, a time of renewal. To others, it's all hot air (no pun intended).
Once again I hope the information you discover as this site grows will enable you to decide where you sit on this subject.
The Mayan calendar ends on the 21st December 2012, there is some evidence that the Mayans were very capable astronomers and scientists, able to forecast solar and lunar eclipses thousands of years ahead in time. The Sections on the Mayans will look at this evidence in detail. Prophets such as Nostradamus were said to have foreseen apocalyptic and catastrophic events occurring around the same time in the 21st century. The Bible is said to foretell similar events. There are many other sources, ancient and modern, that hold to the same or similar tales. So is there some truth to be found in these things?
December 21st 2012 is also the date that our planet is due to align with the sun and the galactic centre, known as a galactic alignment. It won't be the first time the earth has witnessed this event, but it will be the first time for modern man. It's said that during this time, and during the previous occurrences, the earth will be subjected to high doses of Gamma rays, solar energy and gravitational disruption. It's not a one day event, in fact it takes years to complete, years before and after the year 2012. So, if this is true, then we're experiencing some of these effects now, so is it possible that the changing climate and extreme weather can be attributed to these events rather than mankind's pollution?
It may seem extreme and far fetched, a little too like science fiction. We'll look at the evidence in detail in further articles.
Keep in mind one important point that's not mentioned very often in the media. Almost without exception, every planet in the solar system, not just earth, is undergoing similar changes in temperature. Global warming is not just an earth problem! We haven't yet managed to populate and pollute the atmospheres of the other planets, so why are they experiencing these changes?