As an earth scientist (technically, a geomorphologist, but no one ever knows what that means
) I have to chime in here. Sorry folks, but the link between co2 emissions and the rate of warming is pretty darn indisputible. We are causing more co2 to be released to the atmosphere, which in turn causes the globe to slowly warm up. This results in a positive feedback loop that begins to fuel itself. As glaciers melt, the work they did to reflect solar radiation back into space decreases---leading to warming. This results in more warming at a faster pace. The warming of the oceans is another positive feedback loop that was already brought up. Consequently, warmer oceans means stronger storms like hurricanes. Ultimately, what may happen is that we are either tipped into another extreme warm period like the Triassic, or an extreme cool period like the ice age. Yes, another ice age could be the result of global warming, and here's how:
The earth's ocean's have 2 types of "conveyor belts"--deep, cold belts and warmer surface belts like the gulf stream. Cold water at the northern latitudes is denser and saltier, causing it to sink. As the water sinks, it cycles back to the equator where the water is less salty and warmer, so it rises to the top. This conveyor belt system is what moderates the temperatures of the UK and other northern countries and makes them livable. However, as glaciers melt, fresh water could inundate the cold water belt, making the water less salty and therefore less dense. This would shut down that belt and disrupt the entire system. This would then lead to a cooling in the north.
Besides, I have to ask the naysayers--what the heck is the downside of taking care of the environment, cutting our co2 emissions, and getting off foreign oil? (chirp....chirp...)