Global Warming Alarmism Ousts Common-sense

Published July 9, 2007

The July 2 article “Warming may impact Asia-Pacific region” should have provided some critical inquiry regarding self-serving claims by the World Health Organization (WHO). If global warming will cause lower crop yields, then why are global crop yields dramatically higher than they were 50 years ago? Indeed, crop-producing plants thrive in higher carbon dioxide environments.

If global warming will cause more drought, then why is the Sahara Desert shrinking and why are arid regions of Africa experiencing prolonged above-average precipitation?

How can WHO make the nonsensical claim that prior to global warming equatorial New Guinea was too cold for malaria-carrying mosquitoes when malaria was rampant in Siberia for most of the 20th century?

Global warming scares should at least pass the common-sense test before they are reported uncritically by the media. When sound science and common sense refute self-serving claims by money-seeking organizations, the media should engage in a little critical inquiry.

James M. Taylor ([email protected]) is senior fellow for environment policy at The Heartland Institute.