Global Warming...or is it?

Global warming is a catch-phrase thrown around in media and casual conversation. If I were to ask you to explain the meaning of global warming, would you be able to do it? The problem with the term is that many people think they can define global warming, when they are in the clouds as to what it actual is. Furthermore, using a term like global warming is misleading. When I think of global warming, I imagine the whole world getting warmer everywhere and don't necessarily see it is a net effect or as an amalgamation of changes in the environment. It is also difficult to imagine global warming when moving to Alaska and experience record lows of -40F in November.

Photo of an Inuit native holding a picture of what his home may
have looked like 56 m.y.a. Photo from National Geographic
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/10/hothouse-earth/block-photography

My disagreement with the term global warming was resurfaced while perusing the National Geographic website today. I was taking a break from writing about electron microprobe precision and wanted some light reading and pretty pictures. Well, I found that and an entire section of the site devoted to global warming. This makes sense in light of global warming being such an important issue in the preservation of the environment and, eventually, to our way of life as modern humans. For the most part the arcticle on global warming is well done, scientifically sound yet readable to non-experts. The author even goes so far as to state that global warming is often referred to by scientists as climate change. Here I have to say, why do only scientists refer to the change in our climate as climate change? If those of us who spend our lives studying the earth refuse the term global warming why has it yet to catch on in mainstream culture?

I do not argue that global warming is not a reality. I argue that the term global warming is misleading, confusing, and inappropriate. If we as scientists and humans want to communicate the impact that we have on the environment and want to elicit change, it is crucial that we agree on terminology that is communicable and understandable to everyone. The term "global warming" is a chink in the armor that we are trying to build for the environment. At least, that's how I see it.

For more on global warming as National Geographic sees it: http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/gw-overview

Also, pick up issues of Nature or Science and you are almost guaranteed at least an article an issue on the subject of climate change.