Global warming has been out of the news recently, but that is not to say that it is not present. In fact it is very much present. Scientisits in Siberia say that all the melting of the polar ice caps are casuing a methane overload to the earth. Global warming is back in center stage on Nov. 29th when governments will meet in Cancun, Mexico to discuss its latest problems. Most scientists are saying that along with Methane, Carbon emissions are also causing global warming, these emissions are present becasue of our increase in simple tasks such as driving cars, producing electricity, and raising cattle. Although it is mostly seen in the polar regions of the earth global warming effects every biome from the rainforest to the desert.
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Sunday, November 21, 2010
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6 comments:
I agree that a climate issue is fast approaching, but what irritates me the most is this statement:
"The lack of data over a long period of time casts uncertainty over the extent of the threat. An article last August in the journal Science quoted several experts as saying it's too early to predict whether Arctic methane will be the tipping point.
"Arctic Armageddon Needs More Science, Less Hype," was its headline."
There are too many people who are indifferent to this issue because their specific region of the world is not being impacted. Either the government has to step in and create laws that slow down (ideally it would get it of, but that's a little unrealistic by now) greenhouse gas emissions or people need to take action and stop polluting our Earth. Personally, I think that governments need to take more action, because the main culprits of this are the products companies try to create out of cheap materials, which are one of the biggest contributors to harmful waste. There's probably much to be said to my opinion, but frankly, we need to stop asking for "proof" of this happening and take action to stop it.
The issue of the ice caps melting is indeed concerning. Another major factor that might be tipping the scales in the next decade or so is the rapid development in China and India. Together, they account for almost 3 billion people, and with cars becoming a more and more accessible commodity, this could be a major issue. I agree with Alice that more serious action needs to be taken by governments worldwide, but I think that it may be just a little too late by the time that happens. The key to this issue clearly lies in the hands of the developed and rapidly developing world. The biggest question now is, "Who's gonna go first"?
Regardless of whether or not global warming is in the recent news, it is an ever present issue. I believe it is both the responsibility of the government and the people to slow down greenhouse gas emissions. True, large companies are among the largest contributors to these emissions but ordinary citizens are at fault as well. A average passenger vehicle produces 5.2 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year. If you take into account the 250 million cars in the US, that's 1.3 billion metric tons emitted a year.
China and India do contribute their share to global warming but in terms of emissions per person, the US definitely leads the pack.
Unfortunately, Alice, the reality is that people are unwilling to spend money in this economy to protect the environment which seems fine in their hometown/state/country. Clearly, Californians tend to put the environment first more often than people from elsewhere in the country and the world, but we still fall into the trap that it isn't affecting us here. I agree with you, in that the scientific data supporting the evidence of global warming as a threat to humanity and our plant is overwhelming. However, there is also much evidence that reveals a historic trend of rising and falling global temperatures, creating ice ages and warm spells. I believe that we are bringing the next warm spell towards ourselves at a historically abnormal pace, but the planet has survived before and the planet will again. The problem many see with global warming is that it will ruin our (humans') way of life.
It is very sad...our earth is deteriorating as it says that "gas locked beneath the Russian ice" or something along those lines...not only are emissions too much for the environment to handle...but the rise in that kind of polution (gas/leaking) all contributes to the failing environment! As Alice says, it is ignored or not in the "hot topic" of everyday conversation since too many people feel indifferently since it doesn't directly apply to their lives...but the more ignorant we become, the faster the environment's demise will approach us! All we can do is hope that our country will contribute some novel ideas in attempting to stop/slow down the killing gas in the Mexico meeting...for now, all we can do is hope and do our part in helping reduce emissions and recycle!
Wow Jeff, that is pretty dramatic. Although I know that global warming is pretty dangerous, I do not think that there is no hope for the world. I just think that there should be more spending in green energy, both by private investors and the govenment. Who knows? There might end up being a huge payoff. For example, the masses of gas locked under the Russian ice sounds like an opportunity to harness energy, as well as a huge danger. Maybe we just need to get more creative.
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