Reduce Global Warming
Updated July 28, 2007
What Is Global Warming?
Here's the basic idea. Earth is like a greenhouse; it traps heat in the atmosphere. That's good! It keeps us warm and snuggly. The problem is that this greenhouse is getting warmer.
Why Is the Earth Getting Warmer?
Greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere trap the heat. The more greenhouse gases there are, the more heat builds up, and the atmosphere and oceans get warmer.
Where Are Greenhouse Gasses Coming From?
Greenhouse gases come primarily from the combustion. Every time you burn something (whether it be a candle or a bonfire), you create greenhouse gases. Combustion engines burn gas, diesel, ethanol, oil, etc. Some fuels create more greenhouse gases than others.
Humans burn lots of stuff, and there are more humans now than ever before, which is why global warming has increased so rapidly.
What's the Problem with Global Warming?
As the atmosphere's temperature rises, it throws Earth's global system off balance and causes a chain of events.
- Atmosphere temperatures rise, causing ocean temperatures to rise, causing ice at the north and south poles to melt, causing the sea level to rise and drown coastal and low elevation areas, and causing changes in the ocean's salinity levels, causing the ocean's currents to change, causing further changes to the atmosphere.
- Some places will get warmer, making it difficult to grow crops, causing famine, causing starvation and death, and increasing death by heatstroke.
- Some places will get colder, making it difficult to grow crops, causing famine, causing starvation and death, and increasing death by hypothermia.
- Snow levels will change, reducing snow pack, reducing freshwater supplies, causing drought, causing famine, causing starvation and death.
- Some places will have an increase in precipitation, causing floods and mudslides.
- Some places will have a decrease in precipitation, causing drought, causing famine, causing starvation and death.
- Tropical storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes may increase in frequency and intensity, causing massive disasters, destroying property and life.
What's the Solution?
Renewable, non-combustion sources of energy!
Choose Better Electricity Sources
Use as much solar and wind generated electricity as you can. Hydroelectric plants are also a good way to get electricity without burning anything, but dams can cause environmental damage. (In my opinion, it's better to damage a relatively small area around a river than to damage the entire globe.)
Many electric companies have programs that allow you to decide where the money from your bill will go. Use those programs and choose to have your electricity bill money go to renewable sources. It's a bit more expensive, but it's worth it (think of it as donating a few extra dollars every month to a good cause). If you're electric company doesn't such a program, conserve electricity.
Switch to electric tools over gas powered tools. I know that gas lawn mower and trimmer are impressive, but they
Choose Better Transportation Methods
Use non-motorized vehicles or travel on mass-transit systems as much as possible. Walk or bike to your destination (we're getting to fat as it is and need the extra exercise). Mass-transit systems don't eliminate greenhouse gas production, but it does reduce it by having many people move from place to place in one vehicle rather than in many vehicles.
If you do have to drive a car, get the most fuel efficient (and safe) vehicle you can afford. (It will pay you back in gas savings!)
Shop Locally
Buy local foods and products because they don't need to travel as much to get to your home, so they use less fuel to transport, which means they don't contribute as much greenhouse gas.
Support Environmentally Friendly Companies
If you find out that a company isn't environmentally friendly, write them and let them know how you feel. Then boycott their product until they change their ways. Find a more responsible company to give your money to.
Become an Advocate for Plants and Forests
In your own yard and community, plant trees. The bigger the tree, the more carbon dioxide it consumes, and the more oxygen it gives off.
Protect our forests. Forests produce huge amounts of oxygen and consume huge amounts of carbon dioxide. The fewer forests we have in the world, the more we can expect global warming to continue. Rainforests are our biggest asset.
The timber industry needs to leave our big, old growth trees alone. Only buy wood products made from sustainably harvested wood. Visit http://www.fscus.org/ to learn more about how to find these wood products.
Tell the Government What You Think
Contact your representatives and senators and even the President. Tell them what's important to you, and that they'll need to focus on fixing the global warming problem if they want to get your support.
Related Items
Similar topics
See other Kristen's Guide topics in this category.