Global Warming - The Cause and Concern

Global warming has been a topic in the media from time to time but I never really paid attention until now. I was thinking about the changes in our weather patterns and I realized that this must be the problem. In our area we have had increased rain fall for weeks now. It has resulted in flooding in nearby areas leaving some without homes. Temperatures have also risen a lot higher since 1990. Scientists say that unless we curb global warming emissions, average U.S. temperatures could be 3 to 9 degrees higher by the end of the century.

Global warming is caused by Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is collected in the atmosphere trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm up. Coal-burning power plants are the largest U.S. source of carbon dioxide pollution -- they produce 2.5 billion tons every year. Automobiles, the second largest source, create nearly 1.5 billion tons of CO2 annually. The United States produces 25 percent of the carbon dioxide pollution from fossil-fuel burning, by far the largest share of any country. In fact, the United States emits more carbon dioxide than China, India and Japan combined and we only make up 4% of the worlds population.

Global warming is threatening the extinction of animals like polar bears. It affects the polar ice edge ecosystem, the habitat of walrus, seals and penguins, as well as bears. The bears fast for six to eight months of hibernation and rely on winter hunting to survive. Longer ice-free periods during the arctic summer leave the bears stranded onshore for longer periods of time. This causes polar bears to lost critical fat reserves affecting reproduction and the ability of females to produce enough milk. There has already been a 15% drop in birth rates. Global warming is thought to make algal blooms much worse by providing much better living conditions for algae. Animals such as birds, seals, dolphins, otters, and whales have died from eating fish that have ate affected algae. The dead animals were tested positive for domoic acid.

Signs of Global warming are heat waves and periods of unusually warm weather, ocean warming, sea-level rise coastal flooding, glaciers melting, and by arctic and antarctic warming. Other signs include spreading disease, earlier spring arrival, plant and animal range shifts and population changes, coral reef bleaching, downpours, heavy snowfalls, and flooding, droughts and fires. However, the biggest danger, many experts warn, is that global warming will cause sea levels to rise dramatically. Thermal expansion has already raised the oceans 4 to 8 inches. The rise in sea level will make island nations and coastal cities uninhabitable. Global warming is also believed to make hurricanes stronger.

There are some things that you can do to help stop global warming. Here is a list of such ways:

1. Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb (cfl)
2. Install a programmable thermostat
3. Move your thermostat down 2° in winter and up 2° in summer
4. Clean or replace filters on your furnace and air conditioner
5. Choose energy efficient appliances when making new purchases
6. Do not leave appliances on standby
7. Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket
8. Move your fridge and freezer
9. Defrost old fridges and freezers regularly
10. Don't let heat escape from your house over a long period
11. Replace your old single-glazed windows with double-glazing
12. Get a home energy audit
13. Cover your pots while cooking
14. Use the washing machine or dishwasher only when they are full
15. Take a shower instead of a bath
16. Use less hot water
17. Use a clothesline instead of a dryer whenever possible
18. Insulate and weatherize your home
19. Be sure you're recycling at home
20. Recycle your organic waste
21. Buy intelligently
22. Choose products that come with little packaging and buy refills when you can
23. Reuse your shopping bag
24. Reduce waste
25. Plant a tree
26. Switch to green power
27. Buy locally grown and produced foods
28. Buy fresh foods instead of frozen
29. Seek out and support local farmers markets
30. Buy organic foods as much as possible
31. Eat less meat
32. Reduce the number of miles you drive by walking, biking, carpooling or taking mass transit wherever possible
33. Start a carpool with your coworkers or classmates
34. Don't leave an empty roof rack on your car
35. Keep your car tuned up
36. Drive carefully and do not waste fuel
37. Check your tires weekly to make sure they're properly inflated
38. When it is time for a new car, choose a more fuel efficient vehicle
39. Try car sharing
40. Try telecommuting from home
41. Fly less
42. Encourage your school or business to reduce emissions
43. Join the virtual march
44. Encourage the switch to renewable energy
45. Protect and conserve forest worldwide
46. Consider the impact of your investments