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Archive for July, 2011

We keep reading about rising temperatures and sea-levels in other parts
of the world like United States and the UK, but actually India is one of
the most vulnerable countries when it comes to effects of global
warming. India has a vast coastal line and the rising sea levels caused
by global warming will cause an ecological disaster. This is according
to a 1989 United Nations Environment Programme study.

Article Tags:
Global Warming, Fossil Fuels, Greenhouse Gases, Carbon Dioxide,, Carbon Dioxide

Global Warming And Climate Change – How Bright Is Your Future

While most people are aware that life at the moment is no longer what they were expecting because of many changes in society and because of climate change, few people are aware that within the next five years far more change will happen. Many more planetary and weather changes will soon begin to emerge because of global warming and climate change. By 2011 it may already be clear to most people that this is happening.

It is of utmost importance and for your own benefit to understand that based on the current state of affairs with the planet, there will soon no longer be a future with sustainable living conditions. This will have an effect on most of humanity. Despite the fact that global awareness about the state of the planet has increased enormously of late, more and more technological advances are becoming available and there is an increased willingness to make sustainable changes to help the environment, on a practical level there is not enough action taken to prevent the current process of unsustainable growth.

Changes to lifestyle are the most important issue humanity will have to face. Humanity will need to reverse a process of unsustainable growth because of lifestyle choices and economic growth, as its current way of living cannot adequately sustain humanity in the near future. People will have to become more actively involved in making the necessary, mainly lifestyle, changes for the benefit of their own future and for that of next generations. They will need to find ways to reverse the current trends of ecological and environmental damage that is happening all over the world, and is still on the increase.

Most of humanity has not been aware and is inactive about a possible scenario, which has the potential of becoming an enormous looming disaster. This disaster can only narrowly be averted if people on every continent will come to the fore and begin to carry out lifestyle changes where they can. Global warming and climate change can no longer be denied.

Those in a position of power and those that are in an educational role are in particular in a privileged position to be the first ones to participate, contribute and be of assistance with these needed lifestyle changes. Good governance and implementation of plans to support the environment are of major importance, however, every individual will need to have the will-power as well as the insight to make adequate changes to reduce their impact on the environment.

No single individual has all the answers for the planets problems, the immensity of which is beyond most peoples daily outlook of life. Most people would agree, however, that the future outlook is not good given the rate at which global warming is increasing and given the already known facts scientists have been presenting, which show how much the planets ecology has been damaged.

Climate change has begun and evidence of this can be found everywhere. It is important to better understand what this global rise in temperature will mean for the planet and your overall future. By increasing the understanding what the future will hold, people are often more likely to wish to make lifestyle changes.

From a Truth perspective there is hardly any time left to make enough changes so that the present generation can survive the last years of their life. Most of the important resources are dwindling enormously. We are not having enough time left to make adequate changes to change this process.

Weve been hearing the warnings of global warming problems for quite some time now. The push is on to promote green living to help save the environment and stop some of the effects of global warming. Are those threats real or is this just hype to further political awareness? Global warming refers to the temperature of the earth near surface air. It allows the earth to be habitable, as it absorbs some of the heat from the sun.

Greenhouse gases that have been released into the earths atmosphere are contributing to the rise in the surface air temperature. What impact is this having on earth right now? Scientists show that the average temperature has risen in the last century. Its believed that most of that increase has come in the last couple of decades. With the increase steadily rising, scientists believe that it will continue to rise at an even faster pace for the future. Arctic ice is slowly disappearing over time. The warmer temperatures caused by the global warming effects are melting the ice. Polar bears are feeling the effects of the melting ice as they find themselves stranded in the middle of the open sea. Ultimately, these polar bears are losing their life by drowning in the seas trying to find more ice patches to climb onto. With the melting of the ice, were seeing a rise in the sea levels. Currently, the rise is a small amount, but since the temperatures are soaring at a fairly rapid rate, the rise will become a problem in the future. The water level will be raised to a point where flooding will occur, which could make it difficult in pumping it out of the areas where people live. Precipitation is increasing as well. The amount of rainfall and snowfall is increasing over time. Storms are not only becoming more abundant, but were starting to see them increase in intensity as well. Hurricanes will probably occur more often, be stronger and reach farther inland. The warming temperatures are also causing more evaporation to occur. The more evaporating we see, the more chances for these storms to develop, which could ultimately result in the high category hurricanes, were seeing today. The heavier rainfalls will occur, driving people from their flooded homes. The ecosystems are seeing hardships, too. Some species of animals are slowly moving northward for livable conditions, while other species are slowly dwindling in numbers and struggling to survive extinction. Global warming is showing some slow effects right now, but they are believed to increase over time unless we start to do something to reverse it. By using some green living methods in our daily lives, we can slow down those disastrous effects to save the planet for our heirs. For more information about Green Living please visit Modern Eco Homes dot com, which sells a wide range of eco friendly pet furniture and eco friendly office furniture. Related Articles – global warming, environment, society, global warming crisis, Email this Article to a Friend!Receive Articles like this one direct to your email box!Subscribe for free today!

If you’re able to use a computer and can read this newsletter, you’ll have no doubt heard about global warming.
Copyright (c) 2008 Mervyn Rees
If you use a computer and can read this newsletter, you’ll have no doubt heard about global warming.
You’ve probably heard different stories about what could be causing global warming and what it’ll do to us, ranging from the effect that CFC gases have on the ozone layer to global warming being nothing more than a natural occurrence as our planet continues to emerge from the last “Little Ice Age”. But just how much do you know about either of these subjects? And how are they affecting you?
The Effect of CFC Gases
First of all, in order to understand how CFC gases might be affecting the ozone layer, it’s important to understand what the ozone layer actually is.
Ozone is a form of oxygen, one of three forms that can be found in our Earths atmosphere. Without ozone, our planet would be a very different place because it shields us all against harmful radiation from the Sun (ultraviolet (UV) radiation), lifeor at least, life as we know itwouldn’t exist.
If the ozone layer breaks down, UV rays will be able to reach the Earth’s surface, with the result being a dramatic increase in the number of cases of skin cancer and eye cataracts.
The affect on the food chain could also be disastrous. Because UV rays kill plankton in the sea, the fish and whales that live off of plankton would eventually starve and disappear. This would then affect the next link in the chain – those creatures that live off of fish – and so it would continue throughout the chain.
It’s just as well we’re not dependent on meat for survival – a few carrots, a handful of potatoes and a cabbage a day should suffice.
Anyway, let’s move on to look at how CFC gases affect the ozone layer. Those who did chemistry at school will know what this is all about.
Any compound that contains chlorine will lead to the decrease in natural ozone levels by removing one oxygen atom from the ozone molecule, thus converting it into oxygen.
As you can imagine, there’s no natural occurrence of such compounds in the upper atmosphere, but vast amounts have built up over time due to our increased use of man-made chlorine based compounds, of which CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons) are the most common.
When we first starting using CFCs back in the 1930sprimarily to cool fridgeswe thought they were safe. When you don’t know better, you can’t be blamed for making a mistake, can you?
We know now that CFCs rise from the surface of the Earth and into the stratosphere where they’re bombarded by UV light. We know that this releases the chlorine atoms that react with the ozone molecules and we know that before long, ozone becomes oxygen and we’re left with less protection.
While most countries have banned the use of CFCs in aerosols, these gases are still found in fridges and in some types of foam packaging.
How much this will affect our generation is uncertain – it depends entirely on how quickly the ozone layer is depleted – but what is certain is that it will have an effect on future generations.
The selections we make today will affect the future of the planet. It’s up to us to make the right ones. What’s great is that we have the knowledge to make the choices that will give our descendants the chance of a good life too.
Is global warming all about the ozone layer though?
There is a theory that doesn’t involve the ozone layer at all, and that’s that our planet is becoming warmer because oceanic tides are driving climate change.
Evidently, the coldest water found at the deepest points of the ocean is generally transported to the surface by tides that cause the water to mix, thus lowering the temperatures in the air. But thanks to changes in the way the tides work, less cold water is mixing with the warmer upper layers of water, with the result being warmer periods on Earth.
According to scientists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography- part of the University of California, the way the ocean deals with cold water is controlled by the alignment of the sun, moon and earth. Right now we’re experiencing less and less cold water being forced to the surface, so the planet is heading for its warmest peak.
When will this happen? Well, the last “Little Ice Age” was during the 15th century, when the Vikings perished on Greenland after having enjoyed a temperate climate there during the 14th century. This was about 1,800 years after the previous “Little Ice Age” of 1300 AD. With known hot periods also being spaced at about 1,800 years apart, it’s pretty safe to assume that the next hot peak would have been around the 30th century- but due to the depletion of the ozone layer, this will have changed, but by how much? Your guess is as good as anybody’s.
How hot will it be? Unfortunately it appears that the answer to that is also anybody’s guess. What is for sure, however, is that it will be too hot to sustain life as we know it long before the Earth’s temperature reaches its peak.
If the answer really is a matter of the inevitable, the least we should do is get out there and enjoy the good weather while we have it. Just make sure you remember to wear your sunscreen.

Article Tags:
Global Warm

Global warming is defined as the increase of the average temperature of the Earth. The increase in temperature has adverse effects to the Earth and the humankind. Global warming is caused by the emission of greenhouse gasses such as methane and carbon dioxide. Since 50 years ago till, environmentalist and analyst found out that the world is getting hotter by 1 degree Celsius. For most individuals, 1 degree may be insignificant, but that tiny one-degree Celsius can cause massive chain of events to us and the environment.. The following are some of consequences that 1 degree Celsius of heat

Permafrost decliningThat one-degree of heat could make you take off your sweater, but in certain segments of the Earth, permafrost starts to meltdown. Permafrost is a condition that the Earths surface remains below freezing temperature for at least two years, literally means frozen soil. They have existed since the dawn of mankind, and they should be kept frozen to prevent the emission of greenhouse gasses it contains. This means that, the one-degree of heat is contributing to the release of greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere by melting the permafrost slowly.Rise of sea levels and temperatureWhenever the polar regions of the world melt due to heat from global warming, it causes the sea and ocean levels to rise. As time passes, this excessive accumulation of water could lead to the increase of disasters such as floods and typhoons because of the changes in evaporation process. Moreover, global warming also contributes to the increase of sea temperature that affects the ecosystem of the underwater creatures negatively. Coral reefs, migrating fish and animals are expected to extinct gradually as global warming gets worst because they are unable to adapt to the changes.In conclusion, in order to prevent global warming, every single individual in this world plays a part in combating global warming. With just simple task and methods like carpooling, replanting, reduce the usage of fossil fuel as a source of energy, you are indirectly keeping away global warming from getting bad. Think about the future of your children, you definitely want them to live in a cleaner, safe and healthy environment.For more information on Global Warming for Kids, please visit Related Articles – Global Warming for Kids, Global Warming Facts for Kids, Global Warming Experiment for Kids, Email this Article to a Friend!Receive Articles like this one direct to your email box!Subscribe for free today!

A region’s climate may alter over time becoming hotter, cooler, drier or wetter. Natural selection will determine the organisms with characteristics appropriate to the new climate. Over hundreds and thousands of generations constant minute changes will eventually lead to a new species that can survive and thrive in the altered climate.

The success or failure of an organism is reliant upon its ability to reproduce young that mature to produce more young. Only the young with the greatest survival traits for any given habitat will endure. These surviving young will transfer their adaptive characteristics to the subsequent generations. This process is known as natural selection.

If climatic or environmental changes occur too abruptly some species may not be able to adapt quickly enough and can become extinct. This has become a large problem in recent times with human altered environments changing so rapidly that there has been an ominous rise in the extinction rate.

Birds and mammals are warm-blooded (endothermic). This means they can keep their body at a fairly constant, warm temperature by processing body fat and carbohydrates. All other groups of animals are termed ectothermic as their body temperature is dictated by the temperature of the environment around them. The term cold-blooded is used to describe ectotherms, but this is something of a misnomer, particularly in hot, arid climates. As an example a cold-blooded lizard basking in the hot midday sun can easily increase its body temperature to over 100 degrees F, giving it warm blood.

In warm climates organisms need to cool off. Animals’ strategies include heat avoidance (by going underground, or into water), or sweating and panting to induce evaporative temperature reduction. Plants must adapt to heat and drought by using leaves to minimise heat stress and water loss.

In cold climates, some endothermic animals continue to be active at night and during the winter, but eat constantly to keep their core temperature steady. Some other approaches adopted by endotherms include minimising heat loss with body insulation such as fat, feathers or hair, or avoidance of adverse temperatures by migration to a cooler environment or burrowing underground, or reducing body temperature by hibernating.

But even man, so often adaptable to the conditions we find ourselves, can be vulnerable to rapid climatic change. The Icelandic Vikings that settled on the south western coast of Greenland in the 10th Century eventually died out within 500 years as they were caught by the grip of the Little Ice Age. This was a period of cooling after a warmer period, known as the Medieval Warm Period. The Little Ice Age brought bitterly cold winters to the Northern Hemisphere and the Greenland Viking colonies died out simply because they could no longer grow enough food there to support themselves. They had arrived on Greenland in much more favourable climatic times.

So whether endothermic or ectothermic life has a way of surviving, and although our current global warming trend is a serious cause for concern, the earth has seen it all before, and I am sure life will endure.

Global Warming – Iceberg Four Times The Size Of Manhattan

Once again, global warming reaches headlines with recent news from Greenland reporting a large chunk of ice has broken off the north polar ice caps. While Greenpeace activists claim this to be our own man made global warming’s fault, many scientists are urging people not to panic, saying a break like this, besides its size, is a normal occurrence happening on a regular basis in the Arctic.
Still, no one can deny that today, after the big break, Greenland’s Petermann glacier is the smallest it has been since 1962. As sea levels continue to rise and ice sheets advance in the Arctic, it is becoming more and more difficult to claim man made global warming is a myth.
Ice sheets, or icebergs, common in the south or north poles on the globe, are large masses of glacier ice covering the surface of the earth. Once ice sheets lose mass due to global warming, giant chunks of ice begin floating in the sea. The term, “tip of the iceberg”, was coined to describe the fact that the greater mass of the iceberg is submerged and only a small portion of it is showing above sea level. This might also explain how the crew aboard the Titanic managed to miss one…
The B15 iceberg
The B15 iceberg is noted as being one of the largest icebergs to date. Breaking off from ice shelves in Antarctica on March 2000, it was reported to be larger in size than Jamaica. The iceberg broke into chunks in 200, 2002 and 2003. The largest chunk that broke of it is B15-A, which drifted away into the open sea, 70 Km away from the Drygalski ice tongue, blocking supply routes to Antarctica and causing penguin colonies to starve.
Monitoring Ice Breakages
Founded in 1914, after the Titanic tragedy, The International Ice Patrol monitors ice breakages, tracking the glacier chunks and making sure that further tragedies are avoided as much as possible. As technology progresses, this type of surveillance becomes easier. Yet, as climate changes become chronic, ice breaks, along with rising sea levels, are evolving into an environmental hazard. Fingers are pointed at global warming and greenhouse gasses emitted from industrial plants, cars and other man made menaces.
Global Energy (GEYI:OB) Inc. has made its primary goal to reduce gas emission. With its KDV technology, turning waste into high quality mineral diesel oil, it hopes to help change the future, reducing global warming and maintaining glaciers intact.

Global warming over the next half-century could put more than a million species of plants and animals on the road to extinction, according to an international study

Thomas, lead author of the study published in the science journal Nature, said emissions from cars and factories could push temperatures up to levels not seen for 1 million to 30 million years by the end of the century, threatening many habitats. The sweeping new analysis, enlisting scientists from 14 laboratories around the globe, found that more than one-third of 1,103 native species they studied in six regions around the world could vanish or plunge to near extinction by 2050 as climate change turns plains into deserts or alters forests.

Global warming is widely blamed on rising concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere linked to emissions of gases from burning fossil fuels in cars, factories and power plants. We can cut global warming pollution by reducing pollution from vehicles and power plants.
We can increase our reliance on renewable energy sources such as wind, sun and geothermal. And we can manufacture more efficient appliances and conserve energy.

But all this will take time, instead we should think of alternatives which can be done immediately like doing ridesharing or carpool, using clean fuel like CNG. There is no reason to wait and hope that hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will solve the problem in the future. Right away, we should put existing technologies for building cleaner cars and more modern electricity generators into widespread use.

If current trends continue Global warming will have catastrophic effects like:
Melting glaciers, early snowmelt and severe droughts will cause more dramatic water shortages in the American West.
Rising sea levels will lead to coastal flooding on the Eastern seaboard, in Florida, and in other areas, such as the Gulf of Mexico.
Warmer sea surface temperatures will fuel more intense hurricanes in the south-eastern Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
Forests, farms and cities will face troublesome new pests and more mosquito-borne diseases.
Disruption of habitats such as coral reefs and alpine meadows could drive many plant and animal species to extinction.

Such alarming facts call for some serious action on each ones part and we can contribute by sharing our vehicles and making carpools in our cities.

A common-sense approach to the facts about Global Warming, aside from arguments, principles, and opinions.
These days, there seems to be a lot of controversy about Global Warming.
Some say that Global Warming is a fact, others say it’s not. But regardless of whether or not Global Warming is a fact, let’s step aside from the arguments on the subject, and take a common-sense approach.
In this article we will take a look at some of the issues involved.
What is Global Warming?
We can take a look at the definition of global warming – without taking sides or getting into vested interests, political motivations, reasons, or causes.
The definition of global warming in its purity is “an overall increase in world temperatures.” Whether this is caused by greenhouse emissions or a natural phenomenon, has no bearing on whether there is an average temperature increase.
Is There an Overall Increase in World Temperatures?
Alright, now we can take a look at what scientists say about world temperatures.
Again, we are going to leave out the reasons why, and simply look at whether or not the Earth’s general temperature is rising.
According to NASA scientists, the average temperature of the earth rose by one degree Celsius, over the last century. This is based on actual measurements taken with exact measuring instruments.
Another report, which was compiled and submitted by 600 scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, made the following statement:
“Warming of the climate system is unequivocal.”
These 600 scientists sifted through thousands of studies and reports, in order to come to the above conclusion.
Even scientists who are “opposed” to the global warming theory are not contradicting the fact that the earth’s temperature is rising. These scientists are only saying that global warming is a natural phenomena, and is not caused by man.
The Causes of Global Warming There are several factors that could contribute to or influence global warming.
Greenhouse gases are gases that prevent heat from escaping from the Earth’s atmosphere. A few examples of greenhouse gases are:
- Carbon Dioxide – A minor but important part of the Earth’s atmosphere. Carbon dioxide prevents heat from escaping earth, by blocking infrared radiation reflected off the Earth’s surface from leaving the atmosphere.
- Methane – A gas produced through the decomposition of waste (in landfills, animal waste, and decomposition of food in human and animal digestive systems). It is created by the production and distribution of natural gas, oil and coal. It is also is produced by incomplete fossil-fuel combustion.
- Nitrous Oxide – Another gas produced through the use of commercial fertilizers, natural fertilizers, and fossil fuel combustion (cars, trucks, buses, airplanes, and conventional power plants, to name a few).
- Chlorofluorocarbons – Commonly referred to as CFC gases, these are produced primarily by our industries, and are used for products such as, styrofoam, spray-can propellants, refrigerants, electronic circuit boards, and many more.
- Water Vapor – This is completely natural, and is caused by the sun evaporating water from our oceans.
As you can see, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are produced mainly by human resources, whereas chlorofluorocarbons are exclusively produced by industrial installations.
Out of all the above, interestingly enough, the greenhouse gases which have the largest effect on global warming are water vapors. This fact will no doubt please all critics of the “global warming theory”.
You have to keep in mind, however, the cyclic effect of global warming. A slight increase in temperature will increase the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, which in turn will increase the temperature, and so on. Thus, a slight effect created by other greenhouse gases has a much larger impact, due to the creation of additional water vapor in the atmosphere.
Greenhouse gases: Facts and Figures
let’s go over some facts and figures here. Again, keep in mind that these measurements are taken by scientific tools. They are not statements for or against global warming.
- The amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has increased by 25 percent since the early 1800s. Ten percent of this increase has occurred between 1958 and the present day.
- There are two main factors that responsible for the increase of carbon dioxide. The leading cause is the burning of fossil fuels. Next in line is deforestation.
- Methane content in the world’s atmosphere increases at a rate of 0.6 percent per year, by current measurements. The atmospheric methane content is now more than twice as high as it was before the Industrial Age, which started in the early 1800s.
The Effects of Global Warming
I am not the doom-and-gloom sort of person, so I am going to spare you the details here. But I do have an opinion on this subject and I will share it with you.
Regardless of whether the globe is warming or not, it is simply common sense to take care of the environment you live in.
The plain truth of the matter is that carbon monoxide is unhealthy, methane makes for unpleasant breathing, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere is no laughing matter.
While the lack of ozone might make for faster tanning at the beach, the long term effects are not as desirable.
What You Can do About Global Warming
Believe it or not, you are important – what you do and say is listened to by others, and does make a difference. It doesn’t take a lot of effort. A little extra care will go a long way. Many are already doing it, and all of us need to get aboard.
It starts as simply as recycling your waste, saving energy where you can, or even planting a tree.

Article Tags:
Global Warm

Each year the United States spends over 20 million dollars buying fossil fuels. This country emits one fourth of the world’s greenhouse gases; the most prominent of these gases is carbon dioxide, which is released from the burning of fossil fuels. Global warming has been a global issue for many years now. Some countries and people claim to be only vaguely concerned with the cause because they were unaware or uninformed of the issue. Roger Revelle, an oceanographer, helped to call out the problem to the public. After not receiving much feedback towards his cause, he criticized different governments in a jocular manner. He called warming “the great geophysical experiment.” He said, “The experiment is to load the atmosphere with as much carbon dioxide as possible, add a few other harmful gases, and see what happens.” Recently, several countries have been passing laws to prevent the world’s overheated destiny. Even with the setting of new rules and regulations, the earth continues to warm each year. Minimal efforts made to reduce the release of greenhouse gases, specifically carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels, increase the rate and intensity of global warming.
The most prominent effect of global warming exists in the climate change over the past years. Many people are unaware that global warming causes and changes all types of weather. The heating of the earth causes the magnitude and strength of weather conditions to increase. As the oceans get warmer, the intensity of hurricanes amplifies in power and devastation. In addition, many costal cities and regions have recently been experiencing flooding, caused by the melting of the polar icecaps. The Arctic’s perennial icecaps decline in area by nine percent each year. In the past thirty years, over ten national records were set for the highest temperatures in the summer and winter. Droughts and forest fires have been occurring dramatically more often in the past century. All of these effects have been directly linked to the release of greenhouse gases.
Another area affected by global warming is the animal kingdom and nature. The number of animals per specie has been decreasing annually due to harsh environmental changes. As the polar icecaps melt, all creatures that live there are left without shelter. For example, as seal dens have been melting, the number of seals has dropped. Events that occur in the spring, such as mating, migrating, laying eggs, and returning from hibernation have been taking place approximately 5.1 days earlier than they were fifty years ago. The early occurrence of these events proves that the earth is getting warmer each year. More proof of warming is the evidence of many animals traveling farther from the equator as they migrate. Although this change has been occurring with various creatures, butterflies and mosquitoes are being found the farthest from their natural habitats. Even though butterflies do not cause any known problems with the environment, mosquitoes are carries of malaria. This deadly disease has dangerously spread to new regions across the globe. If the world continues to warm, this issue, along with many others, will continue to grow.
A third type of evidence of global warming can be found in plants. Vegetation in an area differs concurrently with the climate of that same area. Throughout many parts of the world, flowers bloom 7 days earlier and trees reproduce 10 days earlier, both since 1900. As the growing seasons vary from very wet to very dry, agricultural growth cannot adapt. In some recent years, regions’ crops have been both flooded and dried out. Due to the depletion of the ozone, many crops cannot survive. Another problem is the movement and increase of allergens. Carbon in the atmosphere allows plants to go through photosynthesis more rapidly, allowing allergens to grow in number. This evidence found throughout all of nature makes it very clear that global warming is a huge issue.

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A combination of various actions and, in some cases, not enough action causes global warming in the world today. The leading cause of global warming is the ongoing burning of fossil fuels, which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, along with the other greenhouse gases of methane, nitrous oxide, and chlorofluocarbons, is the cause of the greenhouse effect. This effect is dangerously increasing as the gases are being released in greater quantities. These gases not only build up to keep heat in the atmosphere, but they also thin the ozone layer. Some areas have been so thinned by the gases that there are holes present in the ozone. These dangerous holes allow harmful UV rays from the sun to reach the earth. UV rays are the main cause of skin cancer. As the earth continues to increase its pollution level each year, the number of skin cancer patients increases.
Because it releases carbon dioxide into the air, the burning of fossil fuels is an environmentally harmful practice. Carbon dioxide can be absorbed by seawater. If the water is cold, it can hold more gas. Unfortunately, with global warming, the temperature of the oceans has been increasing. As the temperatures increase, more carbon dioxide is released. This vicious circle will continue to occur unless scientists cannot this from occurring. Particularly, petrol, or gasoline, is a leading source of the release of these carbon dioxide compounds. Petrol contains hydrocarbons that release carbon dioxide when they are burned. This reaction is unfortunately unavoidable. The only solution is a different fuel source. Carbon dioxide, once released, lasts up to 100 years in the atmosphere. It is the most abundant heat-absorbent gas besides water vapor, which is not considered as a greenhouse gas because it rains back to the earth in a continuous cycle. The Mauna Loa Observatory has been measuring the level of carbon dioxide daily since 1958. Since their research began, the level in the atmosphere has drastically increased by 47 parts per million. Carbon dioxide makes up about one-half of the causes of global warming.
Although carbon dioxide largely harms the environment, the other greenhouse gases have a large impact in the atmosphere. Methane, the next most prominent harmful gas, comes from cattle, asphalt, coal, oil, and rice fields. Lasting only ten years, methane absorbs thirty times more heat than carbon dioxide. Another greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide, lasts approximately 180 years and absorbs 200 times more heat than carbon dioxide. Nitrous oxide comes from microbes in soil that are found in fertilizers. Slash-and-burn farming and the burning of some fossil fuels also emit nitrous oxide. The final greenhouse gas, chlorofluocarbon, lasts 400 years in the air and retains 16, 000 times more heat. Chlorofluocarbons escape from various cooling systems. The combination of these four gases results in the retention of intense amounts of heat.
Throughout the world, various nations have been joining to help prevent or slow the process of global warming. On February 3, 2007, French president, Jacques Chirac, proposed a new plan to prevent global warming. He stated, “It’s our responsibility. The future of humanity demands it.” Forty-five nations, not including the United States, joined him in his efforts. Al Gore, however, is very involved with global warming and the greenhouse effect; he supports Chirac and plans to help. As it is the largest contributor to global warming, the United States unfortunately supports only voluntary reduction programs.
The issue of global warming affects nature, people, and the economy. To some people, global warming is not of their concern because they feel it does not affect them. Although they may not realize it, global warming affects everyone, especially the future generations. Scientists mathematically simulate the globe’s weather systems. Their complex equations, called general circulation models (GCMs), are so complex and involve countless elements that they can take days to solve. Environmentalists verify that the hazardous combination of flooding and drought will significantly increase within the next century. The standard sea level has been rising annually for a while now. Some say that if the earth continues on the path it is on, then 95% of the Great Barrier Reef will disappear by 2075. They calculate that the glaciers in Glacier National Park could melt by 2030, and 37% of all species could be extinct by 2050.
Scientists directly link disease to global warming. Exposure to various climate or animal related diseases will increase in number and possibly brutality. Experts agree that skin cancer’s rapid rate of increase could be caused by the holes in the ozone layer. As these holes grow in size and number, the quantity of patients will also increase. Aside from natural and heath issues, the world’s economy is also at risk. Ross Gelbspan, author of Boiling Point, a book about Earth’s climate change from global warming, spoke about his book to the public in 2004 stating, “Climate issues will eventually tear holes in the global economy.” Research can show that if current weather patterns continue, the cost of insurance will increase drastically over the next few years. Gelbspan is one of many authors and scientists who look into the future to warn people what is to come; unfortunately, most people do not listen.
When people are trying to get others involved in the cause, a common problem that arises is the lack of motivation. Many people do not realize that if they can slow the rapid warming process, then there will be more time to develop alternate energy sources, such as nuclear fusion. Holland and Germany, along with several small countries, have recognized this possibility and have committed to an 80% reduction of all greenhouse gas emissions. If the United States would get involved in a program such as this, then the greenhouse effect would occur much slower than it does today. The world, especially America, needs to take action now. Stephen H. Schneider of the National Center of Atmospheric Research (NCRA) once stated, “By the time we find the greenhouse warming had damaged earth’s ability to feed its people, it will be too late to do much about it.”
In conclusion, the world needs to put forth a stronger effort to prevent global warming; the greenhouse gasses suffocate the earth more each day. If countries make a greater effort to slow global warming, the world’s predestination may not be reached until many years later. Individually, people can recycle, use fuel-efficient cars, carpool, and simply raise awareness. As said by Elmer Robinson, the director of Mauna Loa Observatory had once said while speaking of global warming, “The true enemy is us.”