Global warming truth or fiction

I've been thinking about the manner in which the media and policticians discuss global warming or climate change (depending on your political bent). I've heard descriptions used such as: apocalyptic, environmental catrosphe and point of no return. It's become fashionable and useful for some (politicians especially) to use these scare tactics.
So does this remind you of anything we've heard in the past? Perhaps some of these 'big scares' of the past might get you to thinking, as I have... might this be blown out of proportion? Remember these oldies...

-population explosion
-Global cooling (1970's)
-DDT scare
-Martians are coming
-Bermuda triangle
-Sars pandemic
-West Niles pandemic
and my personal favorite Y2K

Now I'm not saying that global warming is not happening. There appears to be little doubt about that. However, the question to be asked, how much of it is caused by mankind? And can we stop and even reverse the damage done?
I see no downside in cleaning up our environment provided it's done in a progressive and logical manner that doesn't destroy the economy. It goes without saying that we are all in favor of cleaning up pollution and protecting the environment. But the real question is; are we willing to pay the price that it will take to clean up on our past sins against the enviornment?
And finally, the price will be heavy and could come in many forms, such as a carbon tax. Somehow political leaders must convince us taxpayers that the pain will be worth it in the long run. I just hope that the media don't fall for the grandoise plans (such as the Liberals Kyoto Plan) that are long on words, promises and short on action. I still don't understand why the media never held the Liberals accountable for what amounted to nothing more than hot air!