Well, global warming is the gradual increase of temperature on the whole earth over time. Global warming will change patterns in rain, sea level, and will have a big impact on plants, animals and humans. Global warming has been in effect since the mid 20th century. The main cause of global warming has been the increase of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are gases in the atmosphere that absorb and emit gases into the thermal infrared range. Greenhouse gas levels have been increased by the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. Deforestation will cause a rise in greenhouse gases and therefore contribute to global warming because trees intake the carbon dioxide we breathe out and give off oxygen for us to breathe. With the depletion of millions and millions of trees, we loose the process thats occurs with the trees in which the "trees [act] as lungs..." (Pollan 174). Without this breathing pattern, the Earth will choke, which is what happens during global warming. Global warming has not only been because of human intervention, volcanoes and solar radiation have done damage to the Earth for years and years before industrialization even began.
Not only will global warming cause the temperature to rise, but it will also cause the sea levels to rise, in turn causing the change in the amount and pattern of rainfall. Extreme weather events will also become more likely and more hard-hitting. We have seen an increase in devastating tropical storms in the past couple of years.
So what do we do? We have this huge problem facing us, our world is becoming hotter and hotter, and eventually will not be livable for human beings. The main problem is the emission of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). As I mentioned before we breathe out CO2 and trees take it in, so without those trees to take it in, and with more and more factories and cars put on the streets that emit CO2, it become a huge problem. So, in order to get rid of the problem, we have to reduce our output of CO2. Switching to hybrid cars (or even no cars at all), and planting plenty of trees are a great way to get this done. Recycling and watching the places where your food comes from to ensure it is grown naturally and without pesticides are also great ways to reduce carbon emissions. These are all small steps, but they will add up in the end and we will be able to see results, and if not us, future generations will be much happier!
12 comments:
Courtney, Thanks for this informative post. I'm wondering, though, if individual actions like not driving (or driving hybrids) and planting trees are enough to bring down emissions fast enough to safe levels? 350.org is one organization working at the global level to influence governments to agree to reduce emissions from larger players--like the factories you mention (you'll see their link on our "Links" list). One of the biggest polluters is coal burning power plants (about 40-50% of our electricity comes from burning coal).
As you make clear, there are also many natural sources of greenhouse gases, including volcanoes--but scientists know that the rate of CO2 increase because of HUMAN output has been exponentially greater in the past few decades than anything that has happened before in the history of the planet. It's an urgent issue, and I appreciate your bringing it to our attention.
Incidentally, 350.org is organizing an international day of action on October 24 to bring global climate change to much greater awareness, and to call on world leaders to pass climate legislation. Check out their website for events in the Bay Area.
I agree that reducing/reversing current trends will require massive change on every front- global, national, state, county, and yes, even the individual.
Here's some positive news on the national front. I just learned more about the Energy Efficiency Community Block Grant program (EECBG). This program was funded earlier this year as part of the Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. President Obama has begun awarding individual states with chunks of money; cities, counties, Indian tribes etc can now apply for grants drawing from their state's allocation specifically to help pay for projects that reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions and increase energy efficiency.
Congress has appropriated 3.2 billion dollars for this program.
What this says to me is that our current administration is taking the problem of climate change seriously, and providing leadership (and money) to encourage the necessary changes. What a literal breath of fresh air!
www.eecbg.energy.gov
Global Warming is a very serious issue that is potentially disastrous to the evolution of humans on earth as well as many other species. I am glad that our political leaders are taking action to stop this global epidemic. The political leadership is similar to that at the Town Hall Meeting in Michael Pollans, "Second Nature; A Gardeners Education" for the debate and discussion of the Cathedral Pines forest. Hopefully the leadership of our President will be enough to start a trend for the rest of human kind to think green, and work towards a cleaner future. With a little leadership, humans have the intelligence to make great change. For example, rebuilding infrastructures modeled around alternative forms of energy such as Solar and Wind power. Also, refueling America, away from fossil fuels for the reduction of Carbon Emissions. These changes can be grandiose, and are exactly what we need to reduce and eventually eliminate global warming for the sake of tomorrow.
I'm really glad you brought up Pollan and his words on how the Earth works. That was my favorite part from his writing. I really liked your article and all the information you added. I do think it is incredably important that we do what we can in order to lower are carbon emissions. I feel like it would've been good to add a link to a cite where you can find out your carbon footprint or where you canhelp to plant trees.
Hey Court,
Your blog on global warming really gave me a better idea of what is was about. I always knew that it had a negative effect on our planet, but I never fully understood exactly what contributed to it. I think that we are definitely seeing the side effects of global warming today, with odd weather and and temperature risings. A couple of years ago in Hawaii, we had rain for 40 days straight. Even though rain is common in Hawaii, it usually doesn't last for that long. This rain was torrential and very odd. Possibly a result of global warming. I definitely think that though it may be difficult for people to jump on the bandwagon and "go green," but the only way one can see change is to instill it in others.
Reading your article reminded me of when I watched The Day After Tomorrow. I think the point of that movie was to get the point across that global warming is real and we need to take care of this problem fast or something drastic might happen. I never really thought about ways to reduce the effects of global warming though! Thanks for the post! I'll try to take your advice so we don't end up like the movie!
Courtney,
1. Maybe it's just late, but I sort of laughed to myself when I read your title.
2. I definitely agree with Mailyng; your mention of (extreme) weather becoming more likely definitely made me think of The Day After Tomorrow...which led me to another thought: the more interesting/the higher the incentive (whether the incentive be entertainment or some other benefit), the more people listen/care which causes action. While spreading the message about driving less/not at all and increasing the ways that we can deplete the air of CO2 is no doubt a good start, it's the continuation of examples of the not-so-distant future that I think causes people as a group to really act in positive ways.
Great post, looks like you did lots of research on global warming. Some people say global warming is not real however, have you heard of anyone telling you that? Also every time I hear global warming, I also think of "The Day After Tomorrow" and how it was a crazy movie.
Also to Dr. Seeley, when you said they were trying to make it an international day on Oct 24, is that going to be like another green day? I mean is everyone not suppose to drive and try to commute or something?
Brandon, I invite you to check out the 350.org web page, which outlines the thousands of events that will be taking place around the globe on October 24. In response to your question about the climate change deniers: Thousands of scientists who have read the data agree: global warming is real. It's based on a very simple reality: CO2 in the atmosphere raises the temperature. And C02 levels have been rising and continue to rise, all of it caused by emissions (cars, factories, power plants, etc.). Rising temperatures cause an increase in the scale and speed of melting ice at the poles, which sets in motion a domino-like series of events: warmer ocean temperatures, changes in ocean currents, extreme weather events. The rise in water levels because of melting ice will effectively change coast lines and even make low-lying islands disappear. The Maldives, for example, will probably have to be evacuated. The Dutch are already moving people, preparing for the inevitable evacuation of its low-lying areas. The fresh water is also changing ocean salinity, which has a dramatic impact on coral reefs....etc., etc., etc. It's all a dramatic reminder of how interconnected the natural systems of the earth are. There are people who deny this reality, and they are more often than not motivated by politics, a distrust and/or ignorance of science, willful ignorance, or fear. No credible scientist disagrees, and the data in support of this worldwide consensus continues to pour in.
Wow. This is very interesting information, that I have to admit, I did not know all about.I like how you said that "the earth will choke", because that is what is happening. When deforestation happens, the greenhouse gases are emitted into the air. It is also very interesting how you compared it to what Pollan said about the trees acting as our lungs. I agree with this, and think that we should be doing more to stop global warming. I think it is very important that we think about switching to hybrid cars because, as you said, the CO2 that cars emit into the air is a big problem. I really liked this post. Thanks.
I just came across this article in Science News: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091008152242.htm
The finding is that CO2 levels haven't been as high as they are now for 15 million years. Read this and find out what we're facing.
I knew some information on global warning, but after reading this article, I'm glad to say that it has opened my eyes a little bit more to the situation at hand. Great use of information! If more people knew about this kind of information, perhaps we could improve our efforts to save the environment and maybe even reverse some of the damage in the future.
Post a Comment