Global Warming: Are humans responsible?

I guess I agree and disagree to certain parts of your discussion. I agree that it is an assumption that Co2 levels alone are causing global warming. Global Warming is happening, I guess regionally rather than globally. If you take world wide sea level and polar ice caps as a measure then the data proves that the earth is warmer than the time records were kept. Predicting future weather versus comparing the current weather against previous data are two different things, so scientists can say it is warmer. We are definitely adding two folds to Co2 emissions, by constantly increasing carbon based energy use and reducing the total area under forests. Some interesting facts from the US National Climate Data Centre: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/globalwarming.html

Sorry about all the typos in my previous post -- sometimes my fingers move faster than my brain. You seem well informed on this subject. Have you hear anything about warming occurring on Mars? My understanding is that the ice caps on Mars have been steadily declining. To me this indicated an increased energy output from extreterrestrial sources. By the way -- I appreciate the intelligent post. I needed this today.

but what about all the greenhouse gases nature releases on it's own, like volcanoes and hot water springs.

i guess they do contribute, but ultimately, huamn activities greatly accelerate the rate of global warming. volcanos and hot water springs have been around since many years ago, yet it is only these few years that the devastating state of global warming that got our attention. hence, it does gotta do with our human actions.

what data is there to show that human's have accelarated global warming.

I totally agree with the fact that people are the sollution to reducing the greenhouse gases and rejuvenate the environment where the damage has been caused by humans. I am not entirely sure about global warming which can be seen by receding glaciers, polar ice cap melting and increase in sea level: can it not be a result of other factors, like solar energy variance, as well as the increased greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans and heavy deforestation. My argument here being do we know all the factors that are causing global warming?

Pollution and deforestation can be a cause and they are caused by humans, but is that the only cause for global warming. Extinction of species could be caused by various factors including pollution, humans due to deforestation destroying the natural habitat, over hunting. But is that a cause for global warming.