Global warming

Global warming is the next big impact that will bring about a change in the weather
patterns. By definition, Global Warming is the increase in average temperature that
gradually warms the Earth’s atmosphere. It is a phenomenon, which has been on the rise
but in the last century, the increase in the levels have been alarming.

The average temperature of the atmosphere has risen by 0.74 - 0.18 °C during the last
century. According to the study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC), it is observed that the increase in global average temperature has been caused
due to an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations. This has led to an unprecedented
warming of the Earth’s surface.

The other phenomena’s responsible for global warming include volcanoes and solar
variations. Base on some of the models by the IPCC, the prediction is that the global
temperature is likely to rise by 1.1 to 6.4 °C between 1990 and 2100. This increase in
temperature will cause climatic changes and extreme weather conditions like rising sea
level, change in the amount of precipitation, above average rainfall, melting of polar ice
caps and glaciers, storms and hurricanes.

On the worse side, it will also affect yield of crops as well as plants and animals leading
to extinction of different species. Global warming will increase the spread of diseases and
there will be droughts and flooding, coral reef bleaching, forest fires etc. Global warming
is no more a myth but a fast approaching reality, which in the long term will bring the
much feared ice age that will wipe out all living organism on Earth.

Three Methods to Reduce the Effects of Global Warming

Over the years, people have become more and more destructive of the environment and
natural resources. In past history, people relied heavily on the land for day to day living,
and much of what was used was natural in context. For example, the earliest homes were
built by hand using natural lumber that was allowed a period of growth and
replenishment. However, as time went on, more and more time saving devices and
inventions were introduced, with many of them having harmful side effects on the
environment.

Though there is absolutely nothing wrong with progress, there can be detrimental
environmental effects when people are not careful with natural resources and become
inconsiderate of the environment. One of the side effects of such carelessness that is
cause for much concern lately is global warming. As temperatures rise and shorelines
recede, this problem can no longer be ignored.

Over the past century, the neglect of the environment has resulted in the buildup of
excessive carbon dioxide gases in the atmosphere resulting in a rise in average
temperature by a full degree. If the issue of global warming is continually ignored,
temperatures are apt to rise much more quickly in this century having a debilitating
impact on the Earth’s delicate ecosystem.

However, there are steps that you can take to help curb the effects of global warming on
the environment. One of the simplest things that you can do to reduce the impact of
global warming is to make better lifestyle choices each day concerning the environment.
Here are three methods that you can implement daily to help reduce the effects of global
warming:

(1)Since the excessive use and consumption of fossil fuels is one of the main culprits in
global warming, you can choose to rely less on them. This means that you should better
choices when it comes to transportation. Walk or cycle if possible for nearby tasks. If you
commute, then form a carpool with your co-workers. And finally, choose the most fuel
efficient car possible – you may even consider a hybrid.

(2)Another smart method of reducing the effects of global warming on the environment is
to make a conscious effort to conserve energy in and around yourEn m?me temps, le
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“Energy Star” appliances when possible and turn off electrical items and electronics that
are not in use.

(3)A third method of helping to reduce the effects of global warming is to buy and use
recycled products whenever you can. You can also recycle and re-purpose items around
your home. example, if you have plants or a garden, you can clean and re-purpose plastic
soda bottles as drip irrigation systems.

These are only a few of the methods that you can implement to help reduce the effects of
global warming. If everyone becomes an advocate for the environment, then the impact
that global warming has on our lives and future generations can be greatly diminished. Be
sure to do your part by actively searching for ways to protect the environment – every
little bit helps.

What is the U.S. Doing to Control Global Warming?

The success of the documentary cinema The Inconvenient Truth, starring former Vice
President Al Gore, coupled with major weather related disasters the world over in the last
few years has once again brought climate change and global warming to the fore front.

While United States has long remained the world’s largest contributor of green house
gases that lead to global warming, the Bush administration has yet to sign the
internationally heralded Kyoto Protocol. In fact, it has been caught in some blatant
controversies trying to disprove a body of scientific evidence regarding the matter.

Many politicians and journalist have concluded that this has happened not because they
don’t believe climate change is taking place, but rather because of the powerful lobbying
groups mainly from the auto and oil industry that supports them. Cars and fossil fuel use,
along with coal based electricity, remains some
of the biggest source of carbon emission the world over.

With recent hubbub about global warming, and polls showing immense public concern
over the issue, President Bush has spoken publicly many times about slowing down the
effects of global warming, mainly by using technology to cut carbon emissions.

In his State of the Union address last year, he explicitly endorsed the Hybrid car
technology, one that would run not just on gas but also electricity. After the Democratic
Party won control of the House and the Senate, the U.S Government has also steadily
endorsed many pro-environment causes such as the development of alternative energy
such as bio fuels for automobiles, and is actively drafting bills that will require Detroit to
produce cars that give better mileage. This April, the Supreme Court voted 5-4, giving
the federal government the authority to regulate vehicle’ carbon emissions under the
country’s Clean Air Act.

While the environment has already become a major Presidential campaign agenda for
elections ‘08, true leadership on global warming has so far come most effectively form
local authorities across the United States. Almost two hundred cities have taken to the
cause, designing and implementing their own campaigns to slow down the effects of
global warming as much as possible. California’s governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and
New York City’s mayor Michael Bloomberg have both take the lead and made fighting
global warming a primary objective during their time in office.

While California plans to plant over 11 million trees in its urban space within the next
two decades, New York recently hosted one of the world’s largest summits of the mayors
with a focus on cities and local authorities taking the lead for this cause. Trees are natural
air purifiers, and today there is a serious public effort across towns and cities to build
greener space.

There has also been a massive grassroots campaign to fight global warming from
religious groups as well as celebrities. And saving the world itself has become a
financially sound decision for investors the world over. Wall Street, too, has taken to the
cause, and Goldman Sachs has already invested billions in clean energy.

The people of America seem to be increasingly geared up to take responsibility for their
part in causing global warming, which will affect countries that were not major
contributors of the greenhouse gases the most. And it’s forcing leaders in the Republican
and Democratic Party, as well as the business and scientific community and religious
groups to do what it takes to neutralize the global warming effect.

The causes of global warming are many and effects are far more profound. What we have
really witnessed in the last couple of decades is just the tip of the iceberg.
CAUSES
The main underlying cause of Global Warming is greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide
(CO2). Every tree takes CO2 from the air during its growing process. When a tree dies or
the wood decays then CO2 is again returned to the atmosphere. In the last couple of
decades tropical forest have borne the brunt of major felling of trees and burning of
wood, which has added more CO2 into the atmosphere.

Today deforestation has reached a stage where it cannot be turned back. In 1987, a major
chunk of the Amazon forest was burnt and it was of the size of Britain. This released 500
million tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. The lesser the number of trees, the less CO2
will be absorbed.

EFFECTS
The effect of global warming will be catastrophic and if you look around you, then you
will see some of the signs. If no action is taken now, then it will be too late as the
greenhouse effect will slowly increase the average global temperature by 1.5 to 4.50C.
This rise in temperature will affect the polar ice caps more than the tropical belt.

Winters will become warmer and the world will be hotter than what it was 100,000 years
back. By the end of the next century, the temperatures would have soared very high and it
will be tough for humans to survive. The last 15 years have been the ten hottest years
since the 1860’s.