What was up with the weather today? it's still raining and freezing cold in the beginning of May?! It's almost summer! If you ask anyone they will say that all these affects that we are feeling are due to global warming. I guess all the harm that we are causing to the environment is catching up to us.
On Monday, the UN warned that life-sustaining natural environments were likely to become irreversible due to all the extensive damage we have caused the environment. Deforestation, pollution and over-exploitation have caused irreversible damage to the productive capacity of vunerable ecosystems such as rain forests, lakes, and coral reefs.
"As a result of the degradation, the world is moving closer to several "tipping points" beyond which some ecosystems that play a part in natural processes such as climate or the food chain may be permanently damaged, a United Nations report said."
Now that's scary! We have been nurtured by the earth and everything it provides for us, but we have done nothing but hurt the Earth. It's obvious that we would feel the effects sooner or later. How do you guys feel about the environment? Do you think we are moving towards cleaner energy fast enough? Are we dedicating enough time and resources on trying to change our oil dependency?
Monday, May 10, 2010
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13 comments:
I think this is a very important issue, however, most of us are not doing all we can to inform the public (as well as the government informing the public) because it is not creating dangerous enough effects that directly harm us.
I think by the time our earth suffers and the damage really shows by obvious changes in our ecosystems, then it will probably be too late to change the deforestation/ pollution,etc that we took part in.
-Emily Niemann
For all the damage people (especially Americans) have caused against the environment, we are definitely not moving towards cleaner energy fast enough. Turning off the computer when it's not being used, buying rechargable batteries, unplugging electronics, using cloth bags instead of plastic bags, and recycling are all ways we can help.
-Molly Cheng
Although I agree that we need to act to save our environment - and fast - just because it is cold and rainy at the beginning of May does not mean that the effects of global warming are catching up on us. It is true that our ice caps are melting, the average global temperature has gone up; etc, but there are such things as simple differences in the climate during different years.
But then again, maybe its a good thing that people are blaming everything negative that happens on global warming because it will get people to panic and actually start walking the extra few feet to recycle that aluminum can before the effects of global warming become significantly apparent.
-Yuzo Yanagitsuru
I was going to say that "April showers bring May flowers," but then I realized that it's May. The weather should be in the late-70's but it's not. Whether people want to accept it or not, global warming is happening. We should be doing things to help preserve the Earth, but let's be real, actions speak louder than words. People SAY they want to help the Earth, but most of us don't want to bother actually doing it. Even using a reusable water bottle can help the Earth, but I don't use one. I should, but I don't. Hey, at least I recycle...
We really need to save our environment before it is to late, i feel like we are not doing enough to move towards cleaner energy! I feel like people are either trying to spread awareness while others are hurting the environment. For the people who are working towards cleaner environments thats great and they should start spreading it around the world. For those who do nothing but hurt the environment it will only be worse in the long run. The government should also start to spread more awareness throughout all the countries. And we should do as much as we can to prevent this from happening so we can save our earth.
Also on Earth Day we had an assembly in the theater where they told us all the things we could do to save energy like turn the lights off when you are not in the room and un-plugging things when not in use. Those are such minor things that we could prevent and most people don't do that so the government really needs to get involved so we can stop this before it gets to late!
We definitely need to work towards cleaner energy faster. If anything our dependence on oil is increasing everyday; everytime I go to downtown SF, there's always traffic congesting the roads. Everytime I go to Costco, the gasoline lines are completely full. America isn't changing its ways, and I feel like even my family and I could be doing much more to lower our impact on the environment. If anything, I feel that the average, ordinary American needs more of an incentive to go green and start reducing, reusing and recycling. Why should someone throw an empty coke bottle into the recycling bin when the garbage can is much closer?
I don't think that light showers in May REALLY correlates with global climate change (but I'm not an environmental scientist), I think we just had a really rainy season this year. However, I agree with Yuzo about there being some light in people mistaking showers in May for major global climate change. I've heard so many people remark "dude it's global warming blahblahblah" and (even though it may not be directly)it may be a good thing that at least it's stirring up some unease.
I had actually noticed this last week, when it started to rain, and i told my friends that it is almost summer, and its still raining. I have definitely thought about this issue before, and am all for solar pannels, hybrid vehicles, recycling, etc.
We should really try to to the environment clean...it is not even that hard, just don't liter, use paper bags, and try walking more.
THis is a very important subject.. I want my spring weather to come when it is supposed to come.. not late. The weather has not been too flattering lately and im not very happy about it. People need to start caring more about the environment and the government should take more action.
I agree with everybody. America's dependence on oil has led to bigger problems with the environment. We definitely do need to change our ways and habits to start slowing down the damaging that is being done to the environment. However, I feel like it is kind of too late now because of our heavy dependence on oil and other resources. I do not feel that ENOUGH people are changing their habits to help save the environment. Sure, many people are doing what they can, but not ENOUGH. I think that the nation has gone too far in already damaging the environment to change their mentality and habits. Hopefully people start to realize that things need to change and cleaner energy is important. As of now, I do not think that we are moving towards cleaner energy fast enough.
-joshua lu
Everyone doesn't want to change their habits and expects others to change theirs, so no one ends up doing anything for the environment.
I agree with all of you. It is Spring right now.. and the sun has not been out enough. The weather is also not warm enough. It is too cold to wear tank tops or shorts.. that means I will not be able to get tan.
I think that we should put more effort into helping the environment since we are a huge cause of global warming.
Many scientists have said that in order to prevent irreversible damage to the environment we MUST act now. Even though there have been green trends everywhere, it's unfortunately not enough, 1. because literally everyone must participate in these eco-trend efforts and 2. the efforts are not powerful enough to make a huge difference.
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