Responding To Global Warming

Global warming refers to the increase in average temperature near the earth's surface and in its oceans. Climate change is another term used interchangeably with global warming. However, climate change may encompass other changes in climate besides increases in temperature.

In the past century the average air temperature near the earth's surface has increased by around 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Various models have attempted to predict how these temperature changes may impact on the future. They variously predict increases from 2.5 to 10.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Most scientists agree that temperatures are likely to continue increasing. However, they do not agree nearly as much when it comes to predicting the magnitude of the increase.

So what actually causes the increased temperatures?

The earth's temperature is affected by many factors such as:

The earth's orbit - The tilt of the earth axis as it revolves around the sun influences the amount of sunlight reaching earth. Therefore changes in the earth's orbit affects its surface temperature.

Changes in intensity of heat emitted by the sun can also affect temperature on earth.

Volcanic activity - Lava, ash, dust and hot gases from volcanic eruptions can create volcanic aerosols which reflect heat away from the earth's surface and result in cooler temperatures. For instance 1816 is said to have been a year without a summer - widely believed to have been a result of the eruption of the Tambora volcano in Indonesia in the previous year. On the other hand, volcanoes also emit huge quantities of Carbon Dioxide, which tend to have the opposite effect and could lead to higher temperatures.

The causes listed above have existed for a very long time. However, since the Industrial Revolution and especially since 1900 another cause has taken precedence. Increased use of fossil fuels and the resulting emissions of carbon dioxide have caused massive increases in greenhouse gases. This has led to increased temperatures through the greenhouse effect.

What is the greenhouse effect and how does it impact on surface temperature?

The earth receives heat from the sun. The earth loses heat by reflecting it back into the atmosphere. The atmosphere contains a mixture of gases that trap heat and keep the earth's surface warm. This is similar to the mechanism that keeps the inside of a garden greenhouse warmer than the outside. These greenhouse gases are vital for life on earth. If they did not exist it is likely that earth would be too cold to sustain life. However, too much of a good thing can have bad consequences. As a result of our energy intensive lifestyles and the burning of vast quantities of fossil fuels the levels of greenhouse gases have been increasing rapidly which magnifies the greenhouse effect and traps more and more heat close to the earth's surface. Greenhouse gases are primarily Water vapor, Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide and Ozone.

What are the consequences of global warming?

As the earth becomes hotter all year round the incidence of droughts and wildfires will increase. There is already evidence of this in effect. Many US cities have recorded their hottest ever temperatures within the last 3 decades and vast areas worldwide are drought affected and subject to horrific wildfires.

Warmer water in the oceans feeds energy into more and more powerful storms and dangerous hurricanes. The warmer seas also result in melting of glaciers and ice caps that in turn cause higher sea levels and flooding of coastal communities. Many small island nations in the Pacific face the prospect of becoming totally submerged in the very near future.

Spread of insect borne diseases such as malaria- Areas which were previously inhospitable to hosts of these diseases such as mosquitoes become breeding grounds as temperatures change. This could lead to the spread of tropical diseases to more temperate areas.

Changes in climate will also push many species of animals and plants to extinction as they struggle to survive in their changing environments.

As with most debates there are the naysayers, predominant among them is the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the only scientific society that rejects the conclusion that global warming is a threat.

However, if the 30 other scientific societies and academies who support the findings of global warming are to be believed, the consequences are obviously serious if not downright frightening! So what's being done to control it?

Governments around the world have undertaken programs to cut back the level of emissions of greenhouse gases. For instance in the US the government has a strategy in place to reduce emissions by 18% over the 10 year period 2002 to 2012. To this end the Environmental Protection Agency has implemented many initiatives to encourage the reduction of emissions by various industries and other stakeholders.

However, this is not a responsibility that rests exclusively with government or regulatory bodies. Every individual contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and therefore has an obligation to help cut back.

What can an individual do to help?

The list of ways to cut back on emissions is probably as long as the many ways that energy is expended but there are several obvious and relatively easy ways to achieve improvements:

In the US about half of greenhouse gas emissions come from power plants while about a third comes from transportation. Any activity that cuts back on power usage or reduced use of transportation would have a positive impact.

Using energy efficient electrical appliances including compact fluorescent lights instead of traditional globes would help. In the US energy efficient appliances in more than 50 categories can be identified by their "Energy Star" rating.

Similarly using more fuel-efficient cars or perhaps even reducing the use of cars and opting for more "green" transport methods such a bicycles, using public transport or even walking could help.

Using vehicles that run on renewable fuel sources such as E85 (A fuel containing 85% Ethanol) or bio-diesel.

Ensuring that tire pressures are at appropriate levels and your vehicles engine is tuned to manufacturers specifications would also help reduce fuel consumption.

Switching to greener sources of energy. Using solar power directly where the technology permits. Where there is no option but to use electricity or other traditional energy sources then it may be possible to make this purchase from a supplier who uses green, non fossil fuel sources to produce it.

Planting trees to offset the effects of the carbon dioxide emissions created in the production of the energy and other products one consumes is another alternative. It isn't necessary to do this oneself. Around the world there are organizations that are gearing up to do this on behalf of the many millions of concerned consumers. So for instance a power company could estimate the greenhouse gases emitted to produce a kilowatt-hour of electricity and then allow its customers an opportunity to pay to offset these emissions and become "carbon neutral".

Other ways of conserving energy would include cutting back on waste thereby saving on the energy that would be expended on replacement of the wasted item - Recycle and reuse whenever possible.

Saving on water consumption - A huge amount of energy is spent on purifying water for consumption so cutting back on water waste will help considerably.

Ensuring you have efficient insulation and that cooling and heating appliances are cleaned and primed to work efficiently.

Although individual actions may seem trivial their cumulative impact worldwide can be literally life changing. It is clear that much can be done at an individual level to control global warming. Although they cannot agree on the magnitude of global warming the overwhelming majority of the scientific community agree that it is a very real problem. The time for action is now! The consequences of doing nothing are just too frightening to comprehend!

The term carbon footprint has been showing up in the news more and more lately. Just what is a carbon footprint?

Everyone, from individuals, factories and even countries leave a carbon footprint. This is simply the amount of carbon dioxide that each person emits. Many people, when they think of pollution, bring to mind the huge gas belching industries that spew toxic chemicals into the air. In reality, each one of us contributes to the carbon dioxide problem and each one of us can make changes to our carbon footprint and to stop global warming.

No matter what you believe to be the cause of global warming, there is indisputable evidence that the carbon dioxide we are emitting from our everyday activities is contributing to global warming. We must look seriously at our own personal carbon footprint and make changes that can reduce our impact on global warming.

Carbon Footprints

Simply put, your carbon footprint is the amount of greenhouse gasses that you are adding to the planet. These greenhouse gasses are measured in units (tons)of carbon dioxide and are made up of two parts.

Our primary footprint is the carbon dioxide that is emitted by burning fossil fuels. These are emissions we have direct control over such as our cars and electricity usage.

Our secondary footprint is the emissions from the whole life cycle of products we consume. These are emission generated by the manufacturing process and eventual breakdown of that product. Simply put, the more product we use, the more emissions are produced in our behalf.

How Do You Measure Your Carbon Footprint?

A Google search of the term "carbon footprint calculator" will generate many websites that will help you calculate your carbon footprint. Simple calculators ask things like what type car you drive, how many miles and what type home you occupy. Others are more sophisticated and go into more depth as to your actual energy consumption.

Lowering Your Personal Carbon Footprint

As we are becoming more environmentally conscious, we are looking for ways to reduce our levels for ways to reduce our levels of greenhouse gasses. There are thousands of ways to do this, some very simple and others that would require a substantial effort on our part. The fact of the matter is that we all need to be aware of the critical need to reduce these greenhouse gasses today.

Automobiles and Your Carbon Footprint

Automobile usage is a huge producer of greenhouse gasses. It is a major contributor to global warming and one over which an individual has the most control. Planning your errands, carpooling, using mass transportation, bicycles and your own two feet are the easiest changes to consider. Keeping your automobile in peak running condition, keeping tires properly inflated, learning to drive economically and using biofuels when applicable also reduce carbon emissions. If a new car is in your future, a hybrid car or at leas a more fuel efficient car should be considered.

Household Utilities

For years we have heard how a few degrees change in the thermostat setting of our heating and air conditioning units can affect our electric bill. Now that concept becomes critical, because the more electric you use, the higher your carbon footprint. Use of new Star Energy compliant appliances should be considered when purchasing new appliances.

Turn off appliances when not in use. Many appliances and chargers have "standby modes" which consume huge amounts of energy even when turned off.

Switching to Compact Fluorescent Lamps(CFL) bulbs can result in significant savings in money. These bulbs have a higher initial cost, but they last longer and use significantly less energy.

The use of dishwashers, washing machines and dryers need to be used at peak efficiency. Always use them with a full load and when possible, hang clothes out to dry. The wind is a renewable energy source.

Shopping to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint.

Drinking bottled water had become fashionable in recent years and has also become a significant source of pollution. The manufacturing, packaging, transportation and disposal of empty bottles is an ecological nightmare. A simple household filter and reusable containers are great ways to offset your carbon footprint when it comes to plastic bottles.

Shop local. Buying foods and vegetables at local markets offset the huge transportation costs, and fossil fuel consumption related to food production. And while you are at the store, you are using reusable grocery bags instead of plastic-aren't you?

Carbon Offsets

Another emerging way to help reduce your carbon footprint is carbon offsets or carbon credits. Unless you live a Spartan life in the north woods, you will always have a carbon footprint. After calculating your carbon footprint, you can find companies in the fields of renewable energy, reforestation and wind energy that, for a donation, will provide you with an opportunity to offset your carbon load. These companies are developing technologies that lessen our dependence on fossil fuels and reduce pollution impacts.

The fact remains that we must take steps to reduce the amount of pollution we are dumping on our planet. As individuals, we have the power to make a difference. We only need to reevaluate our own lives and make changes that will benefit our planet.

Back in the pioneer days, the families who settled the American west by homesteading in covered wagons were able to carve out a decent living without the need for electricity, but they were not addicted to televisions, computers and labor saving devices the way we are here in the 21st century. But that does not mean that you have to give up all your modern conveniences if you want to become more self reliant and unplug yourself from the utility company in order to live off the grid. On the contrary, it is modern advances in technology that are making it easier and less costly for homeowners to generate their own power using alternative means.

Let us take a moment to consider the benefits of making your own electricity instead of simply buying it from your local electric company. First of all, the costs of purchasing power are becoming increasingly expensive for two reasons. In the case of electricity that is generated by burning fossil fuels such as diesel or coal, all of these precious natural resources are reaching their limit of availability, and it is a common principle of economics that when the supply goes down and the demand goes up, prices naturally rise.

There is the second cost of burning fossil fuels which is the effect that has on our environment. You only have to pick up a newspaper or turn on the television news to see reports of damage and disaster happening somewhere in the world because of climate change. It is getting increasingly more difficult to deny that the burning of fossil fuels is contributing to the greenhouse effect that leads to global warming and climate change. So if we can depend less on these old fashioned ways of making electricity and turn to new, alternative techniques, we can have a positive effect on the ecology of the earth as well as saving money.

There are those who will argue that it is very costly to convert a home to solar power or making use of the wind to generate electricity, but as more and more consumers are taking advantage of these alternative energy sources, the price of the bits and pieces used to harness them continues to go down. Not only do solar panels and wind turbines cost less than they used to, but more information is becoming available about how to do-it-yourself and build homemade solar panels and windmills.

The internet is an excellent place to start looking for sources of new, alternative energy information to help consumers become more self reliant and more environmentally responsible as they unplug themselves from the grid and start enjoying a better lifestyle with their own home made energy.

The hybrid car, so much has been said about it. Not until now has there been a complete shift and focus on the hybrid's emergence. With gas prices at an all time high, the economic pressure to save dollars is now forcing Americans to look at alternative money saving measures.

More and more people are opting for carpooling and the use of the public transportation system rather than driving their personal vehicles to and from work. Families are consolidating trips for everyday household errands and are even delaying or canceling family vacations. These changes have come about because of the price of gasoline in America.

Others are even trying alternative methods of fuel combustion, like the Water2Fuel craze. Anything to squeeze a few more miles out of their beloved automobiles in an effort to save money on high fuel costs.

The problem is, Americans do not "like" being forced to change their driving habits. The majority of Americans realize that the reliance on foreign oil is not a good thing and that America needs to find a way to produce its own sustainable fuel source. And then there are the concerns about the burning of fossil fuels and the damage it's causing to the earth's eco system. Price and pollution, what is the answer? Could it be the hybrid car?

Hybrid cars, such as Toyota's Prius and Honda's Insight, rely on both gasoline power and electric power. The electric portion of the powerplant is driven by very large batteries that are recharged as the car is driven. The result is less dependence on fuel with better gas mileage. Honda's Insight is reported to average 60 miles per gallon city with fewer emissions. The difference is simple - while driving in the city the electric motor is doing most of the work, thus using less gasoline. Highway driving needs more power and is where the gasoline engine does its work.

The hybrid does have its share of drawbacks. What new technology doesn't? They are smaller vehicles made up of lighter-weight materials and parts. And you will sacrifice horsepower for fuel economy (forget about towing a boat or trailer with a hybrid, at least for now). Additionally, the hybrid market is in its infancy. In 2008, the hybrid market was estimated to make up about 2% of the total automobile market. This is because many automakers have been slow to enter the hybrid market.

And there are those that believe the hybrid car is not as effective a technology solution to alternative fuel, such as ethanol, made from corn, switch grass, or even hydrogen and saltwater.

Where will the power that fuels America's vehicles come from? Nobody seems to know right now. We do know this: Steam power was replaced by electric power, and electric power was replaced by gasoline power. Gasoline power will eventually be replaced with something, hopefully before it's too late to change its effect on global warming. While hybrid cars represent an "alternative" or a means to find a replacement, they do represent a viable solution.

The argument between plastic and paper has not yet subsided. The reason for the long-term argument is the fact that the two roughly equal in advantages and disadvantages conferred. In fact, both of them contribute considerable pollution and gobble up natural resources.

Paper is a material of cellulose pulp. It is generally made up of wood chips, which are processed into flexible sheets, or rolls by deposit from an aqueous suspension. It incorporates rags and certain grasses to enhance its quality and style. Paper is generally used for writing, printing, wrapping and covering.

Paper comes from trees. The process of transforming logs into paper is tedious. It may need fossil fuels for the machineries. Use of limestone and sulphurous acid is also inevitable to transform wood chips into pulp and finally to paper.

Plastic, on the other hand, is a material made of diverse compounds. The process called polymerization creates it. Said material has the ability to be molded, reshaped or drawn into desired strands.

Plastic is a petroleum product. It is created through 'biogeochemical' manipulation. It is a by-product of oil refining that transforms polymers into plastic.

To aid you in formulating your decision of which between the two is the best choice, you have to consider their pros and cons. You can start in its effect to energy and natural resources. The fact is that it takes four times energy in order to make paper bags compared to making plastic bags.

Aside from energy, both paper bags and plastic bags are threats to our environment. Say for instance, to produce a 10m billion paper bags, 14 million trees must be cut down. In addition, the risks of global warming pile up every year. Trees are major absorbers of the greenhouse gases. Thus, continuous cutting off of the same will definitely rebound to our disadvantage. Basically, paper bags are mostly made out of virgin pulp to have outstanding durability and elasticity.

The second issue that needs to be addressed is about pollution. Heating wood chips under pressure makes paper bags. These chips are heated at high temperatures in a chemical solution. This solution uses toxic chemicals that can result in acid rain and water pollution. This is because millions of gallons of these chemicals are thrown in our waterways. Plastic can also trigger several health hazards brought about by air pollution and the thinning of ozone layer, which may cause skin cancer.

Recycling is another vital issue. According to the Wall Street Journal, only 10 to 15% of paper bags and 1 to 3% of plastic bags are being recycled. Hence, there is a higher rate on paper bags than plastic bags. Paper bags are improving with time. It is good that paper is environmentally recyclable compared to plastic.

Finally, another important issue for consideration is degradability. Recent studies have shown that paper degrades faster than plastic. This is because plastic does not decompose easily; it takes billions of years to make them degrade. This is the reason why throwing them away should be avoided. The use of paper products such as paper bags must be upheld.

To avoid being easily drenched in water, paper bags are made glossy and hard. They are also made more fashionable than ever. On the other hand, plastic bags are also made more stylish and durable.

In a nutshell, it will be good to consider reusable paper bags to avoid pollution, ozone deterioration and other health and environmental hazards.

The opportunities to be more responsible and promote a healthier and more vibrant Earth has far surpassed common household recycling. Today, if one makes an earnest effort to seek out environmentally friendly alternatives, there are many products and services available on the market that are Earth friendly. This is true in all areas of consumption and daily living, not just in the more well known areas that focus on green cleaning products, organic foods, more efficient appliances, and fuel conservation.

Here are thirteen ways you can go green that you may not have thought of:

1) You can find casual shoes made from hemp or organic cotton that are biodegradable. You can also find shoes made out of recycled cork, plastic or rubber.

2) There are many eco-friendly clothing lines available with fashionable garments made from hemp, organic bamboo, soy, linen, cotton and wool.

3) You can get fashionable eyeglass including reading glasses, sunglasses and optical glasses made from bamboo, as well as recycled metal, plastic and glass.

4) Cosmetics made from mineral and plant based materials are a great choice for a natural look of beauty.

5) You can outfit your kitchen with cutting boards, utensils, plates, and bowls made from biodegradable bamboo.

6) Instead of purchasing candles that have synthetic fragrances, choose soy candles that are naturally scented.

7) Place a plain old brick in your toilet tank to reduce the amount of water used in flushing.

8) Look for home furniture that is made from certified sustainable wood products.

9) Seek out lines of jewelry that only use supply chains from responsible suppliers who utilize mining and product development methods that support a healthy environment.

10) When purchasing flowers for that special occasion, buy locally from an organic supplier so that the flowers need not travel great distances and are not treated with dyes, fungicides and pesticides.

11) If you need to call in an exterminator to expel infestations of insects or rodents, find an environmentally friendly pest extermination company who will use such things as natural organic products, vacuums, and sealing methods instead of harsh and abrasive chemicals.

12) When mowing your lawn, allow the grass clippings to remain where they fall on your yard, which will naturally nourish your lawn with nitrogen, help with soil fertility and water retention which reduces the need for fertilizer and watering.

13) Believe it or not, for home improvement projects, you can even find sources of natural interior paints such as clay paint, lime wash and milk based paint.

Certainly, a commitment to living green is required because using these methods requires more shopping time as well as a strong will to learn new ways of doing daily living activities.