Put An End To Global Warming

Before we can put an end to global warming, we must first understand what it is. Global warming is a phrase that is used to describe the warming of the earth's temperature. This rise in temperature is the consequence of the greenhouse effect, so called because of its similarity to the way a greenhouse's glass walls and ceiling trap heat inside the structure to warm the plants and soil.

The greenhouse effect is actually a naturally occurring phenomenon that is essential for regulating the earth's temperature. Earth receives energy, called radiation, from the sun and reflects some of it back out into space. The rest is absorbed by greenhouse gases in the earth's atmosphere.

These greenhouse gases form a blanket that covers and warms the earth's surface and oceans. This keeps the earth's temperature warm enough for us to live here. Without the greenhouse effect the earth would be too cold for human inhabitation.

So what is the problem, you ask? The Industrial Revolution triggered human processes that, over time, have increased the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The blanket of greenhouse gases covering the earth has become thicker, trapping more heat and making the earth warmer.

The result is a subtle rise in the average temperature of our planet. The earth's average surface temperature has increased about 1.3 degrees F over the past 100 years. The eight warmest years have occurred since 1998, with 2005 registering as the warmest year on record. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects global temperatures will increase between 2 and 11.5 degrees F (1.1 and 6.4 degrees C) over pre-industrial levels by the end of this century.

Methane and carbon dioxide are two naturally produced greenhouse gases; however, their concentration has increased significantly from human activity. A few examples:

Decomposing waste in landfills is the chief source of human-generated methane emissions in the U.S. Carbon dioxide is also emitted from waste. Wastewater treatment processes, coal mining, oil and gas production and storage methods, and even rice cultivation are additional human-made sources of methane gas emissions.

Carbon dioxide concentration has increased from the burning of fossil fuels, i.e., coal, petroleum and natural gas. Power plants burn coal to generate electricity, yet this is the leading cause of human-generated carbon dioxide emissions in the United States and throughout the world. Gasoline that burns in automobile engines is the second leading cause of human-produced carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S.

On April 17, 2009, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency formally recognized that "six greenhouse gases pose a threat to the health and welfare of current and future generations of Americans."

Reducing carbon dioxide and methane emissions is clearly within our control and would no doubt help to put an end to global warming.

If we do not put an end to global warming, the consequences, some of which have already come to pass, are sobering:

Severe weather. Warmer ocean temperatures are leading to more intense tropical storms and hurricanes. The last 35 years have witnessed a marked increase in the intensity and duration of these storms. The Atlantic Ocean's surface temperature increased 1 degree F during this period, resulting in a four percent increase in water vapor and a six to eight percent increase in rainfall. These conditions contribute to more powerful hurricanes (Science Daily, February 2008). In 2005 the Atlantic Ocean was home to 15 hurricanes. Five strengthened to category 4 (winds 131-155 mph); four of the five went on to achieve the force of category 5 (winds greater than 155 mph). One was Hurricane Katrina, which was the costliest hurricane in American history.

Rainfall will be heavier and cause flooding. According to NASA, extremely high clouds in Earth's tropics are occurring with more frequency. These clouds are associated with severe storms and rainfall. At the present rate of global warming of 0.23 degrees per decade, we can expect an increase in the frequency of these storms by six percent per decade (USA Today, December 2008).

An increase in droughts in areas already experiencing drought conditions could result from greater evaporation brought on by warmer temperatures. An analysis by researchers for the U.S. Climate Change Science Program found that the American West and other subtropical areas around the world are likely becoming more arid due to global warming, with an increasing likelihood of severe and persistent drought (Oregon State University (2008, December 18). Global Warming Impacts On U.S. Coming Sooner Than Expected, Report Predicts). Heat waves are likely to be more severe and deadly.

Rising Sea Levels. Glaciers, ice caps and sea ice are melting at an alarming rate and contributing to a rise in sea levels. Warmer temperatures expand ocean waters, which also causes a rise in sea levels.

Greenland's ice sheet is melting at such a quick pace that researchers predict North American sea levels along the northeast coast could rise by 12 to 20 inches more than other coastal areas.

According to the IPCC, sea levels could rise as much as 23 inches (18 to 59 centimeters) by the end of this century. A rise of just 4 inches (10 centimeters) could flood many South Seas islands and swamp large parts of Southeast Asia.

The EPA estimates that a 1-foot rise in sea level along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts is likely by 2050 and could occur as early as 2025. Some hundred million people live within 3 feet (1 meter) of mean sea level, and much of the world's population is concentrated in vulnerable coastal cities. As a result, coastal communities are at a greater risk of flooding, islands may be swallowed up, and wetlands lost forever. In the U.S., Louisiana and Florida are especially at risk.

Montana's Glacier National Park now has only 27 glaciers, versus 150 in 1910. In the Northern Hemisphere, thaws also come a week earlier in spring and freezes begin a week later (National Geographic News, June 2007).

Some scientists predict the Arctic could be ice-free before the end of this century. The reduction of sea ice threatens the existence of arctic animals such as polar bears, seals and walrus, all which depend on sea ice for their habitat. Indigenous peoples of the Arctic report a decrease in the numbers of seals and polar bears, both of which are a primary food source (Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, October 2004).

Health Concerns:

• The IPCC's 2007 report concludes that human beings are exposed to climate change through changing weather patterns (for example, more intense and frequent extreme events) and indirectly through changes in water, air, food quality and quantity, ecosystems, agriculture, and economy. At this early stage the effects are small but are projected to progressively increase in all countries and regions.



• A more dire report by scientists from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimates that the effects of global warming kill 160,000 people a year. Children in developing nations in Africa, Latin America and Asia are the most at risk. These areas suffer the most from increases in malnutrition, malaria and diarrhea caused by warmer temperatures, droughts and floods.

Extinction of species could become a problem because of changing habitats and the unsuitability of the climate. An article by the Natural Resources Defense Council states that the first comprehensive assessment of the extinction risk from global warming found that more than 1 million species could be wiped out by 2050 if the current trend continues. The article goes on to paint a rather bleak picture:

• The recent IPCC report found that 20 to 30 percent of plant and animal species studied are at increased risk of extinction if the global average temperature increases by more than 2.7 to 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit.



• Polar bears have drowned because they need to swim longer distances to reach ice floes. The U. S. Geological Survey predicts that two-thirds of the world's polar bear sub-populations will be extinct by 2050 because of the Arctic ice cap melting.



• In Washington's Olympic Mountains, sub-alpine forest has invaded higher elevation alpine meadows. Bermuda's mangrove forests are disappearing.



• In California, shoreline sea life is shifting northward, likely because of warmer ocean and air temperatures.



• Some Antarctic penguin populations have shrunk by 33 percent in the last 25 years because of the decline in winter sea-ice habitat.



• The ocean will continue to become more acidic as a result of carbon dioxide emissions. Species with hard calcium carbonate shells are at risk. Additionally, scientists predict that a 3.6 degree Fahrenheit increase in temperature would obliterate 97 percent of the world's coral reefs, which are essential to ocean ecosystems.

The list goes on and on. I fully believe humankind has unintentionally created this monster through superior advances in technology that provide us with increasingly convenient, thriving lifestyles. If we are to ensure the continued viability of our planet and a healthy future for our children and grandchildren, we must take steps now to put an end to global warming.

This does not mean we give up modern conveniences, but rather, it means that we use a heightened awareness of how our actions impact the sustainability of our planet to make smarter, caring choices about the manner in which we go about our every day living.

Show your Eco-Friendly Side with Checks made from Recycled Paper

The good news is we can put an end to global warming without sacrificing the conveniences we have come to depend on in our daily living. With a little focused effort we can go green in our homes and help reverse global warming, or at least slow the process down.

Each person can take responsibility for doing their part in caring for the earth's environment. We can start now with a few, relatively simple lifestyle changes:

• If practical, turn off appliances when not in use. When buying new appliances, look for ENERGY STAR qualified products. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy.


• Turn off lights when not in use. Use energy-saving lights such as ENERGY STAR qualified Compact Fuorescent Light (CFL) bulbs. They use fewer kilowatts and generate less heat than conventional light bulbs.


• Conduct a home energy audit. Insulate your home and seal those drafty leaks (the basement and attic often have the biggest leaks). Keep temperatures in your home at moderate levels. Take care of your heating and cooling equipment. Change filters and have the equipment cleaned. If you replace old equipment with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment and seal your air ducts you can cut your annual energy bill by 10%, an avg.of $180 per household.


• Recycle. Recycle. Recycle. Recycling today is easier than it has ever been. It is one of the easiest and effective ways to reduce global warming and protect the environment. Today's recycling centers accept a wide variety of items. The more you recycle the less waste goes into the landfill. Also, use products that are made from recycled materials to keep the process going.

Stay away from conventional household cleaning products. They contain poisonous chemicals that pollute the indoor air in your home and create other environmental hazards. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to cancer, asthma, allergies and birth defects.

Homemade cleaning products for day-to-day household care work very well. They clean just as effectively as the chemical-laden variety without the toxic risk.

• Substitute baking soda and a little elbow grease for scouring powder. Baking soda paste is also good for getting rid of fiberglass stains.



• Use hydrogen peroxide or borax instead of bleach. Borax is great for cleaning, deodorizing, and disinfecting.



• Lemon juice is effective on household bacteria.



• Combine lemon juice, vinegar and water for an excellent window cleaning solution.



• Almond oil makes a great wood polish. Or try olive or lemon oil.



• Vinegar and baking soda make great drain cleaners.

Take some time to research environmentally safe options for everyday chores. There is a wealth of information out there.

These are just a few practical ideas to get you jump started. There is much, much more that can be done.

As you become more in tune with how our day-to-day actions impact global warming you are certain to discover even more ways where you can make a positive difference in helping to reverse the global warming trend.

Let's put an end to global warming. With everyone helping, emissions of greenhouse gases can be cut drastically. Our collective efforts will give the earth a chance to begin regaining its balance of temperature. Taking an active role in reversing the trend will make us better citizens of the world. Our planet will thank us for it.

The global warming debate has its fair share of folks who believe all the dire warnings and predictions about global warming are causing undue alarm. The debate centers on a number of different viewpoints, such as the one that global warming is a ruse to collect money for environmentalist organizations and university research programs.

Others feel that computer models used to predict global warming are unreliable. Still, others acknowledge the reality of global warming but attribute it to natural causes rather than human-generated greenhouse gas emissions, and as such, do not feel that focused efforts to put an end to global warming are called for.

In the spirit of providing some measure of balance to the information presented in this lens, I've included a link to a sight dedicated to debunking the case for global warming in the Informational Resources module. If you are unfamiliar with the opposing arguments, or are sitting on the fence regarding the subject, it is important to include alternative points of view in your awareness to ensure a well-rounded, informed position on the issues.