Global Warming

    ÂCO2 deep into time. And this ice library shows
    Âmore carbon dioxide in the atmosphere than at
   About Global Warmingany time in last 650,000 years.
ÂAs a result of the build up of gases, the
Global warming is the term used to describe atemperature is beginning to rise. Adults today
gradual increase in the average temperature ofhave already felt the average global temperature
the Earth's atmosphere and its oceans, a changerise more than a full degree Fahrenheit
that WILL permanently upset the(0.8°C) during our lifetimes.
Earth's CLIMATE FOREVER,-unless we all startFor a global system that is delicately balanced, the
working toghether, and immediately to avoidrise in temperatures will pose serious threats:
this.-Â Â- Rising sea levels, leading to more coastal erosion,
While many view the effects of global warming toflooding during storms, and permanent inundation
be more substantial and more rapidly occurring- Increased drought and increased incidence of
than others do, the scientific consensus on climaticwildfires
changes related to global warming is that the- Severe stress on many forests, wetlands, alpine
average temperature of the Earth has risenregions, and other natural ecosystems
between 0.4 and 0.8 °C over the- Impacts on human health as mosquitoes and
past 100 years. The increased volumes of carbonother disease-carrying insects and rodents spread
dioxide and other greenhouse gases released bydiseases over larger geographical regions
the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing, agriculture,- Disruption of agriculture in some parts of the
and other human activities, are believed to be theworld due to increased temperature, water
primary sources of the global warming that hasstress, and sea-level rise in low-lying areas such as
occurred over the past 50 years.Bangladesh or the Mississippi River delta
Scientists from many parts of the world,-carryingOther projected impacts include increased
out global warming research have recentlyintensity of hurricanes;
predicted that average global temperatures could The long-term destabilization of the
increase between 1.4 and 5.8 °C byGreenland and West Antarctic ice sheets, leading
the year 2100.to much greater sea level rise; the acidification of
Changes resulting from global warming maythe world's oceans; and a vastly increased rate of
include rising sea levels due to the melting of thespecies extinction.
polar ice caps, as well as an increase in occurrenceWonders such as the Great Barrier Reef and the
and severity of storms and other severeAmazon could collapse under the weight of just a
weather events.few more degrees. And hundreds of millions of
Earth is naturally insulated by a delicate balance ofpeople may be forced from their homelands as
heat-trapping (or "greenhouse") gases in thethe climate shifts, creating increased political and
atmosphere. When the sun shines on the Earth,economic instability.
some of that heat is absorbed, keeping EarthAccording to a study led by a
warm enough to support life.distinguished British economist, Sir Nicholas Stern,
The problem is that over the last century, wesuggests that under business-as-usual scenarios
humans have been releasing more and moreclimate change could reduce overall economic
carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases intoactivity in the range of 5 to 20%-more likely on
the atmosphere when we burn fuels and cutthe high side of this range. Think Great
down forests. These additional gases have upsetDepression, or world war.
the natural balance of our atmosphere, trappingWe can - and must - act urgently if we are to
more heat than is healthy for the Earth.limit and eventually halt the impacts of global
The result is human-caused global warming, whichwarming on human communities and natural
brings serious threats from increased flooding toecosystems. The greater the magnitude and rate
the spread of disease to the disruption ofof warming, the greater the chances are for truly
agriculture in many parts of the world.devastating - and potentially irreversible - changes
Scientists tell us that stopping global warming isin the Earth's climate system. Even by acting
urgent -- we have just a few years to turntoday to reduce our emissions from cars, power
around the growth of greenhouse gas emissionsplants, land use, and other sources, we will see
in order to avoid the worst effects. The goodsome degree of continued warming for a period
news is that we can achieve these emissionsof time because past emissions will stay in the
reductions with effective national policies andatmosphere for decades or more.
international treaties. We must insist that But, the window for effective action is
businesses and governments join individualsclosing fast and responding to the climate crisis will
around the world to greatly increase energytake commitment and ingenuity. The actions we
efficiency, widely adopt renewable energy, andtake in the next several years will determine the
commit to stopping climate change. Success iskind of world that will survive.-
possible, but we need your help.WE MUST ACCEPT THE FACT THAT WE ARE
No human challenge is so potentially uniting as theNOT ONLY DOING THIS FOR US, BUT FOR OUR
climate crisis. Our human drive to invent and buildCHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN, AND FUTURE
has led to extraordinary advances and greatGENERATIONS.-
technological promise. It's also had grave,We have lacked full global leadership and political
unintended consequences. And unless we face thewill to implement these solutions,-Â even if
climate crisis with ingenuity, resolve, and a senseour future depends on it. But now we need to
of urgency, much of the world as we know it willinsist that businesses and governments all over
begin to unravel before our eyes.the world join individuals in taking the steps
The warning signs are plain to see. The 10needed to get the job done. We need to help
warmest years on record have all occurred sincecitizens everywhere understand how the choices
1990. Mountain glaciers are fading on everythey make in their daily lives can make a real
continent and the sea ice is melting. The seasdifference, and we need to provide incentives for
have begun a slow but menacing rise.all of us to make better choices.
The science behind global warming is oftenThe climate forces we have set loose are great
portrayed as enormously complex, but some of itindeed. But the world we build as we move
is quite simple. It begins with a ray of light, shotforward to meet this challenge will be a sight to
through space from the staggering inferno of ourbehold. This is our opportunity to come
sun. That sunbeam delivers energy to earth,together and make a real difference,-
giving us light and warmth and life."BUT WE MOST START TO ACT NOW"Â
As some of this energy radiates back toward !!!!
space as heat, a portion is absorbed by a delicateWHAT WE CAN DO:
balance of heat-trapping (or "greenhouse") gases===============
in the atmosphere that create an insulating layer.MOST PEOPLEÂ don't realize that solid
Without the temperature control of thiswaste reduction and recycling help address global
greenhouse effect, the Earth's average surfaceclimate change. How? The manufacture,
temperature would be 0°Fdistribution and use of products - as well as
(-18°C), a temperature so low thatmanagement of the resulting waste - all result in
the Earth would be frozen and could not sustaingreenhouse gas emissions. Waste prevention and
human life as we know it.recycling reduce greenhouse gases associated
The most abundant of the greenhouse gases iswith these activities by reducing methane
water vapor. In addition, there are other powerfulemissions, saving energy, and increasing forest
greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO2),carbon sequestration.
methane, and nitrous oxide. Each of these is aTHEREFORE, YOU CAN HELP IN MANY WAYS:
natural part of the never-ending cycle of life,===================================
death, and decomposition on Earth.1) Seal and Insulate your house.-
But since the onset of the Industrial Revolution2) Heat and cool "Smartly"
humans have been pumping out more and more3) Reduce, Reuse, and Recicle (the 3 R's)
of these and other greenhouse gases. Scientists4) Have more plants and trees in your yard.
are clear: human activities are contributing to5)Â Use water efficiently.- Save on the use
global warming by adding large amounts ofof water.
heat-trapping gases to the atmosphere. Our fossil6) Use fuel economy vehicles, to eliminate
fuel use is the main source of these gases.air pollution
Every time we drive a car, use electricity from7) Avoid using your car when ever possible.
coal-fired power plants, or heat our homes with oil8) Avoid using plastic or paper bags when grocery
or natural gas, we release carbon dioxide andshopping.- Bring your ownÂ
other heat-trapping gases into the air. The secondshopping bags,- like ones used to go the beach.
most important addition of greenhouse gases to9) MOST OF ALL - SPREAD THE WORD
the atmosphere is related to deforestation, mainly!!!! Â
in the tropics, as well as other land-use changes. "lLets just hope that it is not too late,
 But we can look back even further. Byand we still have a chance to SAVE OUR PLANET
drilling into the deepest glacial ice we can measure!!!!