| Global Warming is a buzzword right now. The | | | | temperatures will also cause an increase in many |
| experts finally agree: it is happening. But, what | | | | diseases only before seen in third-world nations in |
| does that really mean, and how will it affect our | | | | mass. Diseases such as malaria and TB may |
| lives? | | | | become commonplace in even the most |
| A Closer Look At Global Warming. | | | | industrialized countries as higher temperatures |
| Global Warming is just what its name implies: a | | | | accelerate the breeding of the bacteria that |
| warming of the earth's atmosphere. But, it's more | | | | causes these diseases. |
| than warmer weather. The earth's climate | | | | It's More Than Warmer Temperatures. |
| regulates everything worldwide: the oceans, the | | | | The dangers of a warming climate continue to |
| storms, the temperatures, the rain forests, even | | | | accelerate as the temperature rises. Not just |
| the deserts. | | | | about warmer temperatures, global warming |
| Right now the earth's climate is rising unnaturally, | | | | greatly affects weather patterns all over the |
| thanks to the over-consumption of oil, gas and | | | | world. As temperatures rise (even as little as one |
| coal. The pollution made from burning these fossil | | | | degree), storms become more violent and more |
| fuels has left incredibly large amounts of carbon | | | | unpredictable. Hurricanes have already begun to hit |
| dioxide trapped in the earth's atmosphere. This | | | | land with more force than years past. The trend |
| build-up of "'house gasses" has thrown off the | | | | will only worsen. The size of the world's desserts |
| way nature is designed to control and regulate | | | | will increase as land becomes drier. In places |
| global temperatures. As the amount of these | | | | where it does rain, the storms will be heavier, and |
| gasses increase, so do the earth's temperatures. | | | | flooding commonplace. When a cold snap hits in |
| What's A Few Degrees Matter? | | | | the winter, it will be more severe, with larger |
| It may not seem like a big deal, but as | | | | snowfalls, than before. |
| temperatures rise (even by a degree or two), all | | | | All of this sounds bad and getting worse, but |
| over the world, places like Antarctica and the | | | | what can we do, right now, to lesson the effects |
| North Sea begin to experience melting of their ice | | | | global warming is having on our earth, and out |
| caps and glaciers. As this polar ice melts, tides will | | | | lives. Here are a few things everyone can do right |
| slowly rise worldwide; eventually flooding places | | | | now that will help reduce the amount of carbon |
| like London, Bangkok and New Orleans | | | | dioxide being released (and trapped), into our |
| permanently. Places people now live and work will | | | | atmosphere every day: |
| be lost to the seas forever. | | | | -Drive Sparingly. Walk when possible. Take public |
| But, that's not all. Some of the world's best | | | | transportation, or car pool. |
| farmland is located in many of the low-lying lands | | | | -Conserve energy. Turn the lights, computers, |
| in danger of this global flooding. As the seas rise, | | | | appliances and TV's off when not in use. Buy only |
| these fertile soils will be swallowed by ocean | | | | energy efficient appliances. Buy and use manual |
| water. In many places throughout the world, | | | | appliances, tools and toys whenever possible. |
| people will lose their only source of growing food. | | | | -Recycle everything. That doesn't mean just your |
| Another important industry that will be at risk is | | | | paper and plastic. Donate used clothes, and other |
| the world's fishing industry. As ocean waters rise, | | | | working household items to someone else to use |
| fish will leave areas where the people depend on | | | | instead of purchasing a new one to cut down on |
| them for earning a living, looking for colder | | | | dangerous gasses released from landfills. |
| waters. Many breeds will die when unable to adapt | | | | -Plant a tree. It helps cut down the amount of |
| to the temperature changes. | | | | carbon dioxide in the air, and supplies the earth |
| In addition to food shortages, higher world | | | | wit new stores of oxygen. |