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GLOBAL WARMING / CLIMATE CHANGE
Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses in the Earth’s atmosphere trap the sun’s heat and keep our planet warm. In the last 100 years, global levels of carbon dioxide have almost doubled as a result of human activities, particularly burning fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal). Other gasses have also increased dramatically. This increase in greenhouse gasses trap more heat, and scientists believe the average global temperature is rising as a result.Climate change, both warming and cooling, has occurred naturally in the Earth’s history, bringing changes in biological communities. Some species have become extinct while others have shifted their geographic ranges. Many species on Earth today survived global climate changes. Anthropogenic global climate change is occurring more quickly than the natural changes of the past. It is not clear if many species will be able to survive the rapid changes. The naturally slow dispersal rates of many trees and other plants may not be fast enough to keep up with global warming. As a result, the already fragmented habitat will slow or prevent species from migrating to a more suitable habitat. The protected areas we establish today may no longer be climatically appropriate for the species and ecosystems we want to conserve for the future.
WHAT'S THE PROBLEM ?
We all know that global warming will warm the Earth, but that's not even half the problem. Actually, we may be seeing a lot more El Ninos if temperatures continue to rise. Here's why: warm, moist air rises to form clouds, where water condenses and falls back as rain. Usually, every 2 degree increase in temperature puts 6% more water vapor in the air. More water vapor equals "a significant increase in the energy available to drive storms and associated weather fronts," according to the U.S. Global Change Research Program.
Aside from bad weather, we can also count on more disease. A hotter world means that vermin will spread to newly suitable habitats, bringing diseases to afflict newly vulnerable human populations. For example, in Rwanda in 1987, a 2 degrees temperature rise led to a 337% rise in malaria rates.
ARE WE RESPONSIBLE FOR GLOBAL WARMING AND POSSIBLY MORE FIERCE STORMS ?
Quite possibly, yes. Recently, a group of scientists have gone to the Arctic where they took ice core samples. In the ice, there exists air bubbles that were formed thousands of years ago. Scientists have compared our early air to our modern air, and studies show that we have more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere today. The burning of fossil fuels has caused carbon dioxide to be released into the air, causing heat to get trapped in the atmosphere. In fact, studies show that temperatures are 10% higher (in the Northern Hemisphere) and destructive storms more frequent in these past years. This pattern of change could either be a manifestation of global warming or a natural, coincidental variation.
If storms like El Nino persist, there would be a global effect. For example, natural features could radically alter, and economies could consequently collapse.
WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT ? The best way to curb global warming is to raise the fuel-economy standards for automobiles. You can ask for these changes by mailing a photo of your children or grandchildren to:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington, DC 20500Include a note asking the president to guarantee their future by raising fuel-efficiency standards. You can also write, fax, phone, or e-mail your senators and representative.
If you would like a more detailed account of global warming, you can write to:
Atmosphere Alliance
2103 Harrison Ave. N.W., Suite 2615
Olympia, WA 98502Or, you can call them at (360) 352-1763.
Top 10 things You Can Do To Reduce Global Warming:
10. Plant trees - Plant a couple of additional trees around your home. CO2 reduction = 20 lbs/year
9. Use a push mower to cut your lawn instead of a power mower. CO2 reduction = 80 lbs/year
8. Replace your home's refrigerator with a high-efficiency model. CO2 reduction = 220 lbs/year
7. Buy food and other products with reusable or recyclable packaging instead of those in non-recyclable packaging. CO2 reduction = 230 lbs/year
6. Replace your current washing machine with a low-energy, low-water-use machine. CO2 reduction = 440 lbs/year
5. Install a solar thermal system to help provide your hot water. CO2 reduction = 720 lbs/year
4. Recycle all of your home's waste, newsprint, cardboard, glass, and metal. CO2 reduction = 850 lbs/year
3. Leave your car at home two days a week (walk, bike or take public transportation to work instead). CO2 reduction = 1,590 lbs/year
2. Insulate your home, tune up your furnace, and install energy-efficient shower heads. CO2 reduction = 2,480 lbs/year
And the number one thing you can do to reduce global warming is. . .
1. Purchase a fuel-efficient car (rated up to 32 mpg or more) to replace your most frequently used automobile. CO2 reduction = 5,600 lbs/year
Total Emissions Cut If your family did all of the items above, you could cut CO2 emissions by more than 11,000 lbs/year!
