Effective Ways to Combat Global Warming

The topic of global warming is ever present in most people's lives today, having been a topic of great amounts of commentary on radio shows, television programs, and the internet community. There's been an expansion of press surrounding the issue of late. Being concerned about the issue is something that many of us are, thanks in part to the continuing debate and disagreements over the issue. After all, so much is at stake for the future members of our society in regards to global warming.

Sadly, many want to join the fight against global warming but do not realize how easy and cheap it can be. In recent years, too much of the main focus of the efforts has been on energy efficient appliance and vehicles. Every little bit helps, and if you do not have the budget for the big items, there are less expensive ways to become proactive.

Your home is the key to helping you combat global warming. Are there electrical appliances, like your computer, turned on when you aren't using them? This is a great way to prevent future problems and save money at the same time.

For the easiest way to reduce your electrical input, simply turn off all the lights and other appliances in the home when you are not immediately using them. The best part about this approach is that it is a free example of how you can help, and in addition to being free, it might save you money. Also try turning down the thermostat and warm yourself by wearing a little more clothing on chilly days. Just a few degrees can make all the difference.

Another simple step is to exchange the traditional light bulbs in your home for energy efficient ones. Another benefit that many users of these energy efficient light bulbs discover is an increased amount of savings on their electric bills. These bulbs can last up to two years, which is longer than the traditional ones. If you are careful where you shop, you can find multi-packs of energy efficient bulbs for five dollars or less.

Preventing global warming is just not a task reserved for home-owners, as a renter there are things you can do as well. As a renter if you feel cold air entering your home in an area where it shouldn't be then simply contacting the landlord or property manager to make the necessary window repairs is doing your small part. Other things to discuss with your landlord include the hot water heater and the addition of an insulating blanket because these are environmentally friendly and may save your landlord money.

Buying an energy efficient automobile or new hybrid is not necessary in order to change your modes of transportation for the better. Many people love the convenience of driving, but everyone should ask themselves if any of their journeys are actually necessary. Walking, carpool, or public transportation are all other means that are more environmentally friendly. Leave the car at home at least three times a week, and you can do your part in fighting global warming.

Time-Tested Solutions For Global Warming

Increased global temperature, a rise in the sea levels, extreme conditions of the weather. These are all attributed to a single factor - global warming. Global warming or greenhouse effect has been going on for centuries. For thousands of years, the earth's temperature continues to rise and it's not stopping. Although the catastrophic events are commonly linked with this global problem, scientists worldwide still have uncertainties as to the relation of global warming to these events AND if there's even a definite solution to global warming.

There are two possible solution to the effects of global warming as proposed by experts. It could be in the form of mitigation or through adaptation. Under the mitigation response, several actions are done to alleviate the effects of global warming, if not to totally eradicate it. The steps that could be undertaken in this response are to reduce the consumption of energy and to use appliances that are energy efficient; you could also look for other possible energy sources or alternatives that can be used to replace the present source of fuel. Possible ‘other' sources of energy are solar energy (with this, pollution is decreased, thus, global warming could be controlled), wind energy, hydropower, and geothermal power, to name a few. These energy sources are reusable and highly available, not to add that they are clean sources of fuel.

Another solution for global warming is the use of other sources of energy. Other possible sources of energy that can be used are nuclear energy and biofuels. These two can be used to replace fossil fuels that take a much longer time to develop. Nuclear energy, though, is still under much consideration because of its negative effects to people and to the environment. There is no contestation as to the power that nuclear energy would be able to produce that would give electrical power. But as to the safety of this source of power, there is still much debate. Biofuel, on the other hand, is safe, economical and it is easy to produce. Methane is the main biofuel that can be produced from plant and animal wastes, and this proves to be a lot more environment-friendly than burning fossil fuels.

Another step that ingenious minds have created is capturing carbon (in the form of carbon dioxide) and properly storing them for future use. We have a high concentration of CO2 in our atmosphere, so to help in improving the climate, it should be controlled. And when needed, CO2 can also be used together with methane to make biogas. Aside from carbon capture, people have also set up the so-called Geoengineering where the main goal of this form of science is to study the effects and solutions in atmospheric problems.

In the adaptation response, people look for ways on reducing the effects of the problem and addressing the issues on these problems one-step at a time. In mitigation, people are bent on stopping or postponing the effects of global warming. In search for a better term, adaptation is like ‘playing it cool' for now then slowly doing some actions to lessen global warming effects. So in adaptation, they have the thought that glaciers are melting anyway even if we stop our consumption of fossil fuels now so why not go on with modern progress? All they have to concentrate on is how to ‘cope' with the effects. Both mitigation and adaptation would mean people who would join hands in fighting a common enemy.

Another way to defend ourselves from the ravages of global warming is for concerned lawmakers to create legislations that would ensure the responsible use of what's left of our fossil fuel resources. With this comes the equal responsibility of not using products or taking part in activities that would further ruin our planet's balance.

And, at the end of it all, the best person that could make a difference and help in making the solution for global warming possible would be you. You could start with yourself, and within your home, all the practices that would provide solutions to the worsening condition of planet earth, which is greenhouse effect.

Global warming solutions are not yet thoroughly proven, let alone totally administered. It is an ever-present problem. No matter what we do, it is there and there is no escaping it. And although it will take years, lots of it, before global warming will even begin to become a terrifying threat, still, it wouldn't hurt if we lift a finger now.

Industrial Ecology and Global Warming

To begin with, let us understand what Ecology means. The scientific study of environment and its organisms with respect to their abundance, habitat, interaction, climate and distribution belongs to a branch of biology known as ecology. Ecology is now used in a more general sense, coined to mean environment-friendly. When we talk of Industrial ecology, we hint at the effects of industrialization on the environment.

The physical, chemical and biological interactions and relations between the industrial processes and ecosystems are studied in detail and this study is termed as Industrial Ecology. Basically, the study revolves around the flow of materials from industrial processes into the nature. The objective of Industrial ecology is to reduce the negative impact of industrial process on nature, thereby clearing off the threat posed to the environment, mainly in the form of Global Warming.

Of the various strategies being adopted to bring this objective into effect, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method is one of them. The life cycle analysis of a product is done right from its inception to its disposal to assess the extent of damage caused by the product on the environment. The LCA method analyses the Inventory, Impact and Improvement processes.

Detailed studies of the industry as well as the natures' systems aid in working out a plan to reduce the impacts of industrial processes, also bringing about a reduction in costs. The resources and their amounts are analyzed so to as to assess the waste discarded in the environment. This enables to understand the impacts of industrial methods on the environment. The levels of the impacts are measured and methods are designed for improvement.

Once the nature of ecological systems is analyzed and understood, the industries then need to work out a strategy to minimize the impact on the environment. The industrial ecology pattern carries out a detailed study of the relationships existing within nature and then decides on methods for improvement by adapting to the same system. One simple method is to use the waste products of one industry as the raw materials for the other. Reduction in wastage leads to lesser pollution levels. Use of solar energy for running industrial plants also reduces harmful emissions in the air and contributes to lesser pollution.

Industrial ecology believes that the industrial system, which refers to not only industries, but also includes the way humans use natural resources, is a part of the biosphere and does not exist outside it. In order to reduce the impact on the environment, industrial processes should conserve raw materials and energy used for production purposes. The use of toxic substances should be avoided and certain safety measures should be introduced to minimize the harmful effects. The study of industrial ecology is driving the industrial processes in a cycle wherein the waste products gathered from production is used as a raw material for new processes.

Effective implementation of the various methods of Industrial ecology as mentioned above will definitely help in combating the threat of global warming. Each one of can contribute to a safer world and save our planet by being a part of the revolution against global warming. Spread awareness of these methods and prevent the earth from warming up.

The Moral Case Against Global Warming Policies

How odd that someone would make a moral case against global warming. The trend is to promote it as a just cause. Global warming is presented as a problem that we should be doing all we can to fix or life as we know it will be no more. The so called "science" that supporters of global warming use to justify their position is anything but settled. New evidence is constantly being discovered that puts bigger and bigger holes in global warming theories--not laws, theories. The most ridiculous of these theories being that global warming--if it is indeed happening--is caused by human beings.

The objective here is not to go over the science that casts an overwhelming shadow of doubt on the accuracy of global warming theories but, it would be a waste not to share it. Not enough people are aware of this information as it is.

It is probably safe to say that there is no life on the other planets in our solar system. Most places are either too hot, too cold, or lacking an atmosphere like ours. Chances are, no aliens are driving carbon producing SUVs on our neighboring planets. It just so happens that Pluto is experiencing warming. There was a storm on Jupiter that scientists believe is due to climate change. Our closest neighbor, Mars, has been experiencing rising temperatures and as a result: melting. Either our horrible carbon footprints are so gigantic that it is affecting the entire solar system or it's the sun.

Al Gore's claim to Hollywood trophies and a Nobel Peace Prize is entirely due to An Inconvenient Truth--conveniently, it has few truths. Gore's biggest case to link human activity to global warming is the theory that carbon dioxide levels are directly responsible for increases in temperature. His graphs and animations certainly looked sharp and gave an aura of authority. However, CO2 and rising temperatures are not related in the fashion Gore suggests. He would have you think that temperatures rise as a result of increased CO2 levels. Statistically, the warmer periods in Earth's history came about 800 years before an increase in CO2; that means CO2 levels increased after temperatures increased. In other words, adjusting our "carbon emissions" may not affect global temperatures.

It would also be wise to look back at grade school science. We know that plant life thrive in high CO2 environments. The more green on earth the better. Increased plant life will lead to an increase in wildlife and the problem of starving nations could be more easily solved; the more places for agriculture, the more food we can produce.

That is some of the science and it has been known for years. Global warming fanatics have disregarded it and the public has blindly accepted their false science. Why? Because we are morally good. We want to do what is right and presenting global warming as a result of human activity puts the moral responsibility in our hands. Inconveniently for the global warming fear mongers, the war against global warming is largely immoral and chances are, human activity is not the cause of global warming.

Amongst the most immoral propositions in the war against global warming is the limit of carbon emissions from developing nations. People there do not have access to electricity, clean running water, or any of the luxuries we take for granted. Who are we in the developed world to tell these nations that they must adhere to "green" practices when we have built our lives on a carbon emitting system? It is immoral to forcibly keep people in poverty because of scientific theories. We have no right as a person or as a nation to tell any other person or nation how to live or run their own country.

The great ethanol lie is another derivative of global warming. One third of our corn crop in the United States this year will be consumed by ethanol production. Sounds like a lot except it will account for 3 percent of our total fuel usage while driving up the price of other grains and food. This reduces the amount of food we send over to those who are starving. And if you didn't already know, it takes more fuel to produce and transport ethanol than ethanol can provide. A gigantic losing strategy that only makes it harder for Americans to buy food and reduces the supply of food to the starving and needy.

This war on global warming is largely a means to steal more money from ordinary folk. The government regulations and subsidies that have sprouted from this war such as carbon taxes and subsidized initiatives like corn-based ethanol are going to make us all poorer. The carbon tax is touted as a great idea so that the evil car drivers can pay for their crimes against the planet. The income tax was also sold to us as a means to tax those evil rich people and the last I checked, the IRS robs all of us every two weeks. These taxes are merely a means for one group to steal money from another group for their own agenda. A carbon tax is not backed by scientific fact and is going to be most destructive to regular people who rely on their car to make a living.

Absolutely no legislation or government regulation as a result of global warming is going to solve the "problem" or make any of us better off. Supporting government global warming initiatives is equivalent to starving and robbing other people. The war on drugs, the war on poverty, the war on anything is another way to ensure the problem will never be solved. The war on drugs has not reduced drug use but has instead put enormous amounts of people in jail for non-aggressive crimes and has created a black market where the truly bad are benefiting.

If all those who preach the gospel of global warming are really humanitarians, they would stop using government to do their bidding. The fact of the matter is that more people are going to be worse off and perhaps die due to our policies regarding an unproven scientific theory. Those who believe global warming is a crisis can act without using government force. Automakers have responded with hybrid vehicles, better gas mileage, and even all electric vehicles. No party is worse off because of these improvements and actions. That is the moral way to deal with global warming.

Alarming Global Warming Statistics

According to NASA, the hottest year on record was 2005, which matched 1998. Twice in the last ten years, we've had the hottest temperatures on average ever recorded in our planet's history. That is very likely more than just a coincidence.

In fact, the past nine years have all been among the 25 warmest years on record, a streak which is unprecedented in the historical record. For that to happen, it's likely there has to be an underlying factor, and that factor seems to be global warming.

U.S. and global annual temperatures are now around 1.0 F degrees warmer than they were in 1900. The rate of warming has accelerated over the past 30 years, increasing at a rate of three times faster than the century-scale trend. It's likely the increase in CO2 emissions has something to do with that rate increase.

According to an MIT study, there's been a 100% increase in the intensity and duration of hurricanes and tropical storms since the 1970s, most likely due to the increased amount of CO2 emissions to our atmosphere, which has increased the Earth's surface temperature, and warmer weather is believed to increase the intensity of tropical storms and hurricanes.

In fact, the levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased by 31% between 1800 and 2000, going from 280 parts per million to 367 parts per million. Scientists predict that carbon dioxide levels could be as high as 970 parts per million by the year 2100.

According to the National Climactic Data Centre estimates, $100 billion of damage was caused by hurricanes hitting the U.S. coast in 2005 alone. The increase in severity of the hurricanes and tropical storms is most likely due to the increase of CO2 emissions, which heats up the Earth's near-surface temperatures. In fact, the average surface temperature has increased by about 0.6 C (1.0 F) over the last 100 years. This is likely why snow cover and ice extent have decreased over the past few decades.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey predictions, Glacier National Park will have no glaciers left by the year 2030, further showing the rapidity of global warming and the impact it can have on our planet in the very near future.

According to the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, 400,000 square miles of Arctic sea ice have melted, which is threatening polar bear habitats and further accelerating global warming worldwide. That amount of Arctic sea ice is approximately the size of the state of Texas, and we've lost that in just the last 30 years, further emphasizing that we need to take action now before the damage becomes too severe for our efforts to really matter.

The sea level has risen by 4?-8? (10-20 cm) over the past 100 years, which is likely due to the melting of the polar glaciers, which is likely due to the increase in the Earth's near-surface temperature, and that's being increased by the increase in CO2 emissions into Earth's atmosphere. This can lead to devastating effects for coastal communities because the sea level is rising, which means that when the sea comes in-tide, more erosion can occur, and if coastal communities are present, more damage done to them. In addition, losing the glaciers reduces the amount of usable fresh water on our planet.

It is also projected that 15-37% of all plant and animal species could be wiped out by global warming by the year 2050, which could further cause considerable damage to our planet's ecosystem.

The United States is ranked nr.1 among large nations of being a global warming polluter, contributing 25% of emissions, even though the U.S. only makes up 5% of the world's population. This provides more evidence that the U.S. Government must do more to combat global warming. In fact, six former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) leaders say that the U.S. is not doing enough to fight global warming. The fact that there have been NO bills passed by the U.S. Congress to cut global warming pollution further confirms what many EPA leaders are saying.

As you can see, there is statistical evidence that proves that global warming is causing changes to our planet, and changes that will do more harm than good. Governments and individuals need to pay close attention to these statistics in order to figure out ways to reverse the disturbing trends that are now occurring. The sooner we take heed of these statistics and implement changes that address global warming, the quicker we can reverse the disturbing trends and the less damage will occur to our planet and way of life.