Global Warming: The Truth Behind the Myth

By Michael Parsons

Global Warming: The Truth behind the Myth is a provocative discussion of the relationship between global climate and the greenhouse effect. Dr. Michael Parsons, an esteemed scientist and writer in the area of atomic spectroscopy and environmental analysis, uses the term "myth" to capture the essence of the misunderstanding and exaggeration behind the popular view of global warming. The author explains the computer models that are used to predict climate change, points out their flaws, and offers insight into the views and opinions of the computer modelers themselves. While there is no question that the greenhouse phenomenon exists, there are many uncertainties about computer predictions and the assumptions used in the computer models. Important factors such as solar variation, El Nino, cloud dynamics, and ocean currents significantly influence the earth's climate, and yet most computer models have neglected to adequately incorporate them. Global Warming is not an anti-environmental book. Rather, it is an authoritative attempt to put the facts associated with global climate into proper perspective along with other environmental problems, such as overpopulation, depletion of nonrenewable energy resources, and pollution. Dr. Parsons presents the scientific facts on both sides of the various issues and documents them so that the reader will be able to come to an intelligent, unbiased opinion. Written primarily for the general public, this intriguing book will also be enlightening for teachers and students, politicians, agricultural economists, environmental engineers and geologists, climatologists, conservationists, public health officials, policymakers, and scientists in general.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306450836
• ISBN13: 9780306450839
• Release Date: August 1995
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 271 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 1.3" x 5.8"

Customer Reviews

The truth that "Global Warming" isn't!

Fred Singer wrote an excellent summary in his foreword to this book. Here, he covers the basic false beliefs so glaringly hyped by the media as a "scare tactic" to frighten citizens into voting for such limiting mediums as the Kyoto treaty. Mr. Singer's clear reasoning is well stated and he properly concludes that no such thing is happening as "global warming" and that it is definitely not a threat to our future as the media keep hyping vainly.The text of the book is formidable. I must confess to finding it a burden to get painstakingly through the 242 pages of main text, in spite of the fact that I have a technical degree and followed a technical career myself in electronic engineering. Although my field is not related to environmental studies, my technical skills and constant relation to reviewing technical specifications of all kinds, even other than electronic, qualify me, I believe, to make an assessment of this book. There is no question but that it is accurate, well supported by facts, and unerringly true.I have also read the very technical report of the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine, which thoroughly covers the same ground and reaches the same conclusions. The Oregon report also identifies the gross errors in the IPCC computer programs which falsely predicted warming when superimposed over actual data in which no warming occurred--proving their erroneous slant toward warming. I thoroughly agree with this book's major premises and conclusions that the entire "Global Warming" fiasco is a media myth, perpetrated by persons unknown for purposes not favorable to industrial success in our nation, since the Kyoto treaty that was based on the myth would have severely bankrupted our economy.This book is highly recommended for the truth it contains and for exposing the media "scare tactics" as just that--attempts to scare citizens into reacting and believing the political movement behind the "global warming" myth.

A Question

...This book clearly shows the failures of their pet theory. Its critics' angry trashtalk suggests that Global Warming is a theory beyond question, which is an anti-scientific attitude in its own right.Can...anyone... show scientific proof that Global Warming is actually a valid theory? The answer is no. There is no such evidence, and deep down they know it...Global Warming is like a smoke-and-mirrors magic act--all show and no substance. It's the lifeblood of radical environmentalism. It's not scientifically justifiable, but it's a great excuse to spread lies and innuendo, the basic propaganda that drives the Big Green Machine's political and social movement.

Debate and discussion of global warming should continue!

Parsons and Singer are serious scientists who's voices need to be heard. The arguments are well documented and, while not the last word, need consideration. The comments by reviewers that because Parsons and Singer are sponsored by the oil industry they should be ignored or silenced could be equally applied to EPA scientists whose job depends on an environmental "crisis." The EPA is without funding if it turns out that the global warming or other "facts" that not all serious scientists agree to turn out to be disproven.

A Must Read for Serious Students of Global Warming

I have been using Parsons (1995) as required reading in my teaching since its introduction. This is the book I require after students have read the Gore crises book from the last decade. My course is Environmental Science with a heavy emphasis on Critical Thinking. Scientists think differently, some would say dispassionately, about the lay literature because science requires evidence for its conclusions. Parsons provides the evidence and a poignant example of scientific critical thinking about a social issue which eschews the evidence known to science.

Michael Parsons' views on global warming are extraordinary.

Michael Parsons looks at the theory of global warming with the most intelligent insight I have seen in any of the literature on the subject. He uses hard core science to debunk the theory and leaves its supporters gasping for air. Unlike some who have come out against global warming, Parsons does not attack it from an anti-environmental perspective. Instead, he addresses the issue with thought-provoking arguments based upon research and investigation into the true science behind the theory. I wish we had more scientists like Mr. Parsons working in our country today