With Global Warming hysteria on the rise due to the 2008 Presidential Election, many candidates have called for extreme measures to be taken in order to protect our environment. Whom should we believe when it comes to the hot topics such as global warming: politicians or scientists?

At a recent “Focus the Nation” lecture, Dr. Matthew Krepps, a chemistry professor at Lee, discussed the science behind global warming.

“There is much scientific evidence that supports that global warming is naturally occurring,” Krepps said. “…Hysteria created about global warming was generated by political extremists, not scientists.”

In his lecture, he presented data from research entitled “Environmental Effects of Increased Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide”.

The article stated that “…increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide leads to the conclusion that increases during the 20th and early 21st centuries have produced no deleterious effects upon Earth’s weather and climate.”

In addition, temperature doesn’t fluctuate based upon hydrocarbon usage; it is dependent on solar activity.

However, what many wonder is whether we should take action or be passive when it comes to the issue.

“Regardless of the global warming issue, we need to be good stewards of our environment,” Krepps said.

He went on to state that we need to seek out more efficient methods of recycling and conserve our natural resources. Nuclear energy is a plausible solution. It is exceptionally efficient in generating energy and waste products are recyclable. Legislation and politicians are all that lie between the mainstream use of nuclear energy.

“People need to understand the complex issue of global warming” Krepps said. “We need to make our decisions based off of education, not from fear generated from political hype.”