The announcement a few years ago that between 2002 – 2005 the GreenLand Ice sheet has reduced by about 151 Cubic kms sounded frightening, until it was seen in the context of the size of the Earth’s Oceans. 363 sq/kms of Ocean surface requires 9211 cu. kms of Ice resting on Land to melt to raise the average Sea level by 25 mm. Thus 151 Cubic kms of Ice would have resulted in an increase of less than 0.5 mm, that too provided there was no change in other parameters. The difference in Density of fresh and salt water would actually further reduce the effect. Viewed in the proper context, what seemed frightening is suddenly nothing to really worry about. Also, while projecting the rise in sea levels due to melting ice, many do not allow for the fact that floating ice melt does not add to rise in sea levels and much of Arctic ice is floating ice.

The coral reefs of various Pacific regions are evidence of this. Once again extrapolated projections are not justified and the noted rise could be due more to Solar activity and other such causes. Damage to some coral reefs is likely due to local and not global conditions. (i.e. run off of excess Agro pesticides and Fertilizers).

3. The suspicion that the melting Ice-Caps are melting also from ‘Down-up’ and not only ‘Top-down’, especially in the Antarctic, needs greater study and a proper explanation. The so-called retreating Glacier effect is also, being questioned, as not well understood, as there are now studies that say that the retreat of the Glaciers is not a new phenomenon and is hence, not as alarming as being projected.
4. The ability of the earth to absorb water is not really properly understood, especially at the regions of subduction of the earth’s crust. It is also, estimated that more water, atleast twice as much, lies under the Earth’s crust than in all the Oceans above.
5. Most importantly the effect on the Earth, of what is happening in the Sun, the variation of the solar wind intensity and its effect on the flux of cosmic particles ionizing the Earth’s upper atmosphere and hence, on the cloud formation which in turn affects the albedo of the Earth and thus its temperature are to be better understood. Remember the Sun contains more than 99 percent of all the mass in the solar system and is the source of all the energy reaching the earth. The energy from the radioactivity within the earth is but a tiny addition. Hence, a small change in Solar activity could have very large, even catastrophic, effects on Earth. Such effects need to be better studied.
6. The reduction of the strength of the magnetic shield around the Earth, due perhaps to the reduction / changes of the Magnetic field in parts of the Globe and the curious coincidence of the location of such regions of reducing magnetic strength to the areas of reducing ozone layer is yet to be explained. After all we are overdue for a reversal in magnetic poles and the effects of such a reversal are likely to be catastrophic for us. Though the actual reversal may take centuries the process may perhaps have already started. The increasing rate of movement of the magnetic North Pole is something to worry about. Perhaps there is also a correlation between the Solar activity and the variation in the earth’s magnetic field and the location of the atmospheric ozone holes. The increasing rate of moment of North magnetic Pole is something to worry about.
7. The historic cycles of the ratios of the gases composing our atmosphere are to be better understood. The methane hydrates and Co₂ levels in the oceans and in the Perma-frost regions, and the absorption and holding capacities thereof, are to be more carefully studied. Perhaps there is a correlation between the changes in the Magnetic field, changes in Solar activity and the release of methane? The results of volcanic outgassing, both into the atmosphere and under sea, are to be better understood. Blaming the Methane released from Paddy cultivation and from cattle for global warming is perhaps carrying things too far.
8. The effects of the other Human activity, that of fertilizer based modern Agriculture, with its resultant degradation of the top soil, excessive use of chemical fertilizers, weedicides and pest control chemicals, and the resultant run off of harmful chemicals into the water sources and the Seas and the cascading damage thereof, has not attracted as much attention and blame as due. This may turn out to be the most environmentally damaging human activity, as nitrogen and phosphorus from our fertilizer and sewage are the most damaging pollutants. But economic reasons seem to prevent a proper scientific study of the ill effects of such methods of Agriculture. ‘No Till’ farming in which the new seeds are planted using seed drills and fertilizer deposited via injectors, is the answer. The capacity of the properly enriched soil, due to composting and vermiculture, to capture CO₂ also needs to be studied.
9. The heat absorption capacity, and the increase of the reactive surfaces in the upper atmospheric levels, of black carbon soot particles produced by the burning of wood and dung in home fires; coal and diesel in home and for power generation, and from forest fires and dust storms, and their contribution to global warming all need to be studied further.

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