Global Warming

Global Warming, Learning the basics and Helping the Planet

Global warming is a problem faced by our entire society. Regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or homeland, we are all responsible for helping our planet through this tough time. Soon, global warming will reach a tipping point in which there will be nothing that we can do to stop its harmful effects.

The International Panel on Climate Change predicts a global temperature rise of about 5C by the end of this century. That's enough for major changes in rising seawater levels, food production and rainfall.

Knowing why we are in this fix is the first step to doing something about it. Yes, that's you and me.

There are 4 levels at which to understand the cause of global warming.

The mechanics of global warming
What we do
Our beliefs and values, and
Natural cycles, involving the sun

The mechanics of global warming are simple. There's too much carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere.

The Earth absorbs heat from the sun and radiates much of it back into space or else we would cook. But presently the Earth retains more warmth from the sun, about 0.85 per square meter, than it radiates back into space. It is mainly CO2 that hinders solar radiation back into space and this creates the greenhouse effect.

Currently the atmospheric CO2 content is about 380 ppm (parts per million), up from about a thousand years ago at a level of 280 ppm. If things don't change, predictions are that it may go up to 500ppm by the end of this century.

CO2 hangs around for a long time. It takes about 100,000 years for atmospheric CO2 to reduce by about 63% through natural processes.

What we do contributes to so much CO2 in the atmosphere. It got there because of massive amounts of fossil fuels that humanity has been burning since the start of the Industrial Revolution, some 300 years ago.

Coal and oil are the mainstays in power generation and to power our transport. Of course a growing world population needs more energy for food, clothing, housing and comforts. But when there are 8 billion of us, all wanting a big house, the latest electronic playthings, a car, and access to world travel.

The Earth cannot physically support all those needs and wants and because the energy emissions needed to meet them would choke us.

Our beliefs and values, stemming from the past, make us believe that everything will last forever.

Do we want more things than we need? Does our consumer world leave room for nature, for things we can make and maintain ourselves, for "slow" and natural growth, for each other and our environments? These are question we as a society has to answer, and soon.

Natural cycles, involving the sun have something to do with global warming too. That's true.

The Earth is now receiving 30% more solar radiation than it did 4.6 billion years ago. And there have always been cycles of ice ages and warmer "interglacial" periods, depending on the Earth's orbit, solar radiation strength and changes in ocean currents.

The last "Little Ice Age" was between 1400 and 1840 with significantly lower temperatures. And such events are part of 1,500 year cycles.

Presently the Earth is at the end of an interglacial, warmer time and is due for a cooling down. But it seems that we are not going to let that happen. The steep increase in CO2, particularly over the last 45 years, does not fit into any natural cycle.

The sun, the core temperature of the earth' and it's cycle, along with man made carbon emissions all play a factor in the rising earths temperature.

What to do is the question. Whether we stop putting CO2 into the air today or not, it will get worse as fast developing economies involving billions of people in the USA, China and India rely on fossil fuels. Renewable energy may be the answer but is only at its infancy.

By doing your part as a concerned citizen, there are some simple changes that you can make to help decrease the damage that you are doing to the planet's climate. Many things that you do in your every day life contribute to global warming, from making your morning commute to simply turning on a light switch.

What You Can Do Today

What can you do to help decrease your greenhouse emissions? By simply changing a few things in your lifestyle, you can help to decrease your greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 12,280 pounds per year. Following are 6 tips you could do to help the planet.

When buying electronic equipment, look for the ENERGY STAR label. These devices limit the use of power, thereby allowing you to cut consumption at least a little bit. Computers, fax machines, copy machines, and various other pieces of home office equipment can be found that are ENERGY STAR compliant.
Insulating your home can both reduce your energy bill and help the planet by using less power.
Fluorescent lights or ENERGY STAR lights can be purchased to bring down your electricity need.
Use low flow faucets in both your shower and your sink. If you can't purchase a new toilet, placing a brick in the back of your toilet tank can cut down on the amount of water used in your toilet, saving water.
When relocating, try to find a job close to your home. The very act of commuting is one of the biggest problems with global warming that we face, with suburban employees making hour-long commutes, draining our planet's oil supply and increasing greenhouse emissions. By carpooling 2 days a week, you can cut your greenhouse emissions by 1,590 pounds per year!
When purchasing a new vehicle, look for one with a high miles-per-gallon rating. Hybrids are ideal, but any car that consumes less gas is recommended.