Global Warming???

What is Global Warming?

The Earth as an ecosystem is changing, attributable in great part to the effects of globalization and man. More carbon dioxide is now in the atmosphere than has been in the past 650,000 years. This carbon stays in the atmosphere, acts like a warm blanket, and holds in the heat — hence the name ‘global warming.’ The reason we exist on this planet is because the earth naturally traps just enough heat in the atmosphere to keep the temperature within a very narrow range - this creates the conditions that give us breathable air, clean water, and the weather we depend on to survive. Human beings have begun to tip that balance. We've overloaded the atmosphere with heat-trapping gasses from our cars and factories and power plants. If we don't start fixing the problem now, we’re in for devastating changes to our environment. We will experience extreme temperatures, rises in sea levels, and storms of unimaginable destructive fury. Recently, alarming events that are consistent with scientific predictions about the effects of climate change have become more and more commonplace.

Environmental Destruction

The massive ice sheets in the Arctic are melting at alarming rates. This is causing the oceans to rise. That’s how big these ice sheets are! Most of the world’s population lives on or near the coasts. Rising ocean levels, an estimated six feet over the next 100 years or sooner, will cause massive devastation and economic catastrophe to population centers worldwide. The United States, with only four percent of the world’s population, is responsible for 22% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. A rapid transition to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources will combat global warming, protect human health, create new jobs, protect habitat and wildlife, and ensure a secure, affordable energy future.

Health Risks

Malaria. Dengue Fever. Encephalitis. These names are not usually heard in emergency rooms and doctors’ offices in the United States. But if we don’t act to curb global warming, they will be. As temperatures rise, disease-carrying mosquitoes and rodents spread, infecting people in their wake. Doctors at the Harvard Medical School have linked recent U.S. outbreaks of dengue fever, malaria, Hantavirus and other diseases directly to climate change. Catastrophic Weather Super powerful hurricanes, fueled by Warmer Ocean temperatures are the “smoking gun” of global warming. Since 1970, the number of category 4 and 5 events has jumped sharply. Human activities are adding an alarming amount of pollution to the earth’s atmosphere causing catastrophic shifts in weather patterns. These shifts are causing severe heat, floods and worse.

Five Things We Can All Do

• Join StopGlobalWarming.org. Together our voices will be heard.
• Spread the word, share the learning. Send this link to family, friends, and colleagues. Share why this is so important.
• Change begins at home. (See the list home-related Action Items)
• Put the heat on your elected officials.
• The power of the pocketbook.
  

Solar Power Lighting

All of the world’s fossil fuel energy originated first in the sun. Solar power is a shortcut, allowing you to capture and use it directly. And for residents of the American Sun Belt, solar power is a no brainer. Solar energy is clean, free and abundant. Yet most of us get our electricity the old fashioned way. We buy it. Ironically, the world’s biggest user of solar power is Germany, despite its cold, gloom and northern latitude. The reason for this is the government incentives put in place to combat global warming. The German government program inspired the 2007 California Solar Initiative, shepherded through the legislature by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Its aim is to build a million solar powered roofs in the state of California. Solar does take an upfront investment, but within a few years you could be powering your home with free electricity.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has been marching sense Sept. of 2005.

Did you know that the sun will emit enough energy on to the earth in one day to power the entire planet and its needs for an entire year. Now that's an amazing thought. So it makes perfect sense that we make use of the gift that is residential solar power and convert it to the continuing perseverance of our world.

Solar energy is a gift from the gods. Its totally free. Of course you would have to make an initial investment into the equipment required, but after that its plain sailing as we tap into this endless source of power. If everyone in this world used Solar Lighting or Solar Security Lights we would increase the worlds life span tremendously.

Former Vice President Al Gore

"The vast majority of the most respected environmental scientists from all over the world has sounded a clear and urgent alarm. Global warming is real, it is happening already and the anticipated consequences are unacceptable. The evidence is overwhelming and undeniable. The international community - including the United States - began a massive effort years ago to assemble the most accurate scientific assessment of the growing evidence that the earth's environment is sustaining severe damage from the unprecedented accumulation of pollution in the global atmosphere. Today, there is no longer any credible basis for doubting that the earth's atmosphere is heating up because of global warming. Indeed scientists from around the world are increasingly concerned by what appears to be an increase in the rate of CO2 buildup in the atmosphere - a development which, if confirmed in subsequent years, might signal the beginning of an extremely dangerous 'runaway greenhouse' effect. There is no doubt we can solve this problem. After all, we brought down communism, won wars in the Pacific and Europe simultaneously, enacted the Marshall Plan, found a cure for polio and put men on the moon. When we set our sights on a visionary goal and are unified in pursuing it, there is very little we cannot accomplish. The time to come together to solve this problem is now." Former Vice President Al Gore

Leonardo DiCaprio

"Thousands of climate scientists agree that global warming is not only the most threatening environmental problem, but one of the greatest challenges facing all of humanity. We must demand a separation between oil and state. We can get off oil and slow down global warming. We can use energy more efficiently, and support renewable, clean energy sources; new green technologies that don't burn carbon, like hydrogen fuel cells, wind and solar power. We can vote for leaders who care about protecting your health, air and the environment. We can support non-profits who are making a difference. We can be environmentalists. So, get educated. Stay educated. So we can think for ourselves. And join the fight to save this unique blue planet for future generations." Leonardo DiCaprio