Archive for the 'Environment' Category

Transportation and GlobalWarming

Transportation is important to the lives of many individuals, not just Americas.  Many commuters rely on the road to get them to and from work, to travel on vacation, to run weekly errands, as well as to make it to important appointments.  Unfortunately, we are starting to learn just how much of an impact our reliance on transportation costs.  This is most evident in global warming.

When it comes to global warming, you will find that it is defined as the rise in the earth’s temperature, due to the increase in the emission of greenhouse gases.  Although all of the vehicles on the road does have a negative impact on global warming and the environment, it is not the sole cause.  With that in mind, transportation is an issue that should be discussed.  It has been said that each car that is taken off the road can reduce carbon emissions by as much as seven to eight hundred pounds!

Global warming

Just about everywhere that you look, some news report is discussing global warming.  Newscasters are not the only individuals putting their attention on the important issue of global warming.  Many scientists, celebrities, and political figures are starting to do the same.

While you will find an unlimited number of well known figures who support the fight against global warming, you will also find a load of opposition as well.  In recent years, this opposition is starting to take a stronger, more publicized approach.  Unfortunately, for many Americans, this leads to some confusion.  If you are starting to doubt yourself whether or not global warming is real, you will want to start doing your own research.  The good news is that it is relatively easy to do so.

Health and Globalwarming

As global warming affects the environment, it should not be surprising that it affects the health of the people living in that environment.  Changes in the climate are changes in the habitats not only for animals, but for people as well.  Climate changes are already impacting people’s health.

Global warming has caused intense heating up of the environment.  In areas where people are not prepared for extreme heat, there have been devastating heat waves recently.  There were heat flare-ups in Europe in 2003 which lasted as long as two weeks at a time.  Temperatures soared upwards of 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperatures like this are common in parts of the American Southwest, for example.  People are well-equipped to deal with the heat because that is the climate zone they are living in.  However, Europe is usually much cooler.  Residents there were not ready for such temperatures.  Over 35,000 people died in Europe as a result of the heat waves that year.  Global warming had changed their habitat, so to speak.

Global Warming

While the majority of celebrities and many scientists in the world view global warming as a disaster of epic proportions, not all agree.  Some people, even scientists, have opposing viewpoints that are based on their own formal observations and the data from many sources.  It is interesting to explore what these people have to say about global warming.

One of the most talked-about aspects of global warming is the rise in sea levels.  If you are to believe most people who speak on global warming, you have to think that many habitable places on earth will soon be underwater.  There is some evidence to refute this.

There is a professor of paleogeophysics and geodynamics at Stockholm University who presents interesting data.  According to this professor, the sea levels are in the same range they have been in over the last three hundred years.  There has not even been the slightest rise in sea levels in the last decade.

Global Warming

Are you concerned with global warming?  If you are, you are definitely not alone.  As more political figures, scientists, and celebrities voice their concerns about global warming, more Americans are beginning to take notice.

Although global warming is an issue that is widely debated, it is an issue that still causes concern.  For example, the predictions state that the weather will become more erratic in the future.  We may experience horrific coastal flooding and drought will become a big concern.  In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast and this strong storm is not one that we will ever forget.  In the summer and fall of 2007, southern states, such as Georgia and Tennessee experienced life changing drought conditions, which resulted in the strict enforcement of water bans and water restrictions.

Even if you do not officially believe or support global warming, you may still be concerned with the changes that you are seeing. The good news is that there are a large number of ways that you can help.  If you are interested in doing your part to help stop or lessen the impact of global warming or even just improve the environment, you will first want to start in your own home.

Future of Global Warming

If people knew what kind of future global warming would actually bring, they would likely want to do more to help the environment.  The problem is that predicting the future of global warming is a very complex task.  Just as the local weatherman does not always get it right, neither can the predictor of global warming.

Some of the difficulties inherent in forecasting future global warming have to do with those same factors that every meteorologist faces.  Winds can cool the air or warm it depending on the direction they take.  Cloud cover can cool a hot day.  Air masses move in to cause storms as cool fronts and warm fronts are generated.

Ocean currents can change the temperature of the land on which they strike.  The earth’s atmosphere is constantly in a cycle of evaporation and precipitation.  The nature of this cycle will affect global warming. At the same time, all these variables will be affected by global warming in return.

global warming and ice age

In the movie The Day After Tomorrow, there are many special effects including an ice event caused by global warming.  Much of the science of the movie has been called into question.  However, there may be some truth to the idea that global warming could cause an ice age.

The theory starts with an understanding of why Europe and Scandinavia are not colder already.  After all, other places at the same latitude are covered with ice and permafrost.  Alaska and Greenland are both as close to the North Pole as Europe.  Yet, it is not global warming that keeps Europe warm.

The ocean currents called the Gulf Stream bring warm waters up to the UK and Europe from the Caribbean.  These waters warm the countries around their path.  This is what causes the UK, Europe, and Scandinavia to have such a nicer climate than, say, Alaska.  Global warming has nothing to do with that.

climate and globalwarming

There is no doubt that the earth’s climate is constantly changing.  Some people feel that it is part of the normal cycle of events on this planet.  Yet, most scientists agree that there are drastic changes occurring that are due to unnatural global warming.

The weather is getting decidedly warmer.  For the most part, the United States has already warmed up some.  In some places, the average rise in temperature is around four degrees Fahrenheit.  However, all the states show some degree of warming.

The first and second warmest years on record were 1998 and 2006, respectively.  In fact, every year from the first to the second warmest years, ranked within the warmest 25 years in the US.  In 2006, the annual average temperature was 55 degrees Fahrenheit.  Recent warm years point to a climate change being brought on by global warming.

Climate changes due to global warming can be seen in the prevalence of drought.  Years are becoming drier in recent decades due to global warming.  This is caused by the heat that is building up around the earth’s surface.  Excessive evaporation intensifies drought even more during the spring and fall.

Global warming Books

Global warming is discussed in two main types of books.  Some would have you believe there is no problem at all.  Others speak of evidence of global warming, dangerous consequences, and solutions to global warming.  Reading a variety of books on global warming gives a balanced perspective.

Probably the most well-known book on global warming is Al Gore’s book An Inconvenient Truth: The Planetary Emergency of Global Warming and What We Can Do About It.  Gore’s book shows reasons why people wan to save the earth from hazards such as global warming.  It also implores world leaders to stands up and listens to the warnings of an environment in crisis.

An opposing viewpoint is presented in a book titled Unstoppable Global Warming: Every 1,500 Years.  The book, written by Dennis T. Avery and S. Fred Singer, is an argument that global warming is a cyclical event that has happened gradually and systematically throughout history.  Scientific data backs up the claims and demonstrates why no one should be concerned about global warming, in the authors’ opinions.

celebrities view on global warming

Celebrities are putting their fame to use by calling attention to the subject of global warming. Famous people in the entertainment industry are using their knowledge of film-making to create documentaries about global warming.  Others are simply using their influence to make a statement.

One project is designed to help people become more informed about and involved with global warming.  The venture is called Global Cool, and its lofty goal is to get one billion people to lower the levels of carbon emissions they put into the environment.  Celebrities involved with this global warming initiative include Orlando Bloom, Josh Hartnett, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Pink. Some bands have also joined the fight.

Leonardo DiCaprio is actually very involved with the movement to stop global warming.  He has a website devoted to the topic.  On it, you can take a look at two films DiCaprio has worked on, with others.  One is called Water Planet and the other is simply Global Warming.