It was announced today that a chunk of Antarctic ice 7 times the size of Manhattan Island collapsed. The ice, 160 square miles large, had been there possibly for 1,500 years. And now its suddenly gone. Clearly, this is another physical manifestation of global warming, and it reminds us that, although the media has largely gotten over it, global warming isn't going away, hasn't died down.
While I'm not going to discuss the particular causes of global warming here, Man, in the last century has played a significant role in causing the warming of earth. Thus, global warming presents a unique challenge to us. First, it is an entirely worldwide phenomenon. No part of this planet will go unharmed. While some areas will benefit from it, by and large, the Earth WILL suffer. Unlike events such as world war one, which didn't have a direct impact on the world, GW will have a pervasive effect everywhere. Second, there are three ways in which it can be dealt with. First, on a local scale -- human by human -- each person can work to decrease their individual GHG (Greenhouse gas) emissions. While this will have a minor effect, it will, nonetheless, have an important impact. Second, we can work to ameliorate the problem on a country wide basis. Within this category falls the efforts of communities and states, as well as national governments. Countries can, passing unique and specialized laws, decrease their GHG emissions. Finally, there is the international level. Nations must work collectively to abate a worldwide problem. THe Kyoto Protocol is an example of this (although I personally think it is an ineffective law that should be replaced with something such as an international carbon tax).
Only action on all three levels will yield the results mandated by science to solve this problem. Individually, people must green their own lives, and work to green the lives of others. Countries must also provide incentives or create laws that will cause businesses and individuals to green their lives (see my post on gas taxes). Simultaneously, international laws/treaties must be forged that will force countries to take a stronger stand on GW.
Although worldwide collaboration and action on all three levels may seem improbable, we've already begun it. THere is a huge green movement on the individual scale, because, now, it is "cool" to be green. People are eating locally & organically, recycling & composting, buying energy efficient cars & appliances. Many countries/states have green laws, such as gas taxes in Europe, and AB 32 in California. FInally, international agreements, such as Kyoto, have been formed. Although Kyoto must be superseded by other agreements eventually, it shows that international collaboration is possible.
Who's willing to work on all three of these?
Do these:
http://www.sierraclub.org/globalwarming/tenthings/
Support green action where you live. For example, send this to your senator:
http://action.environmentaldefense.org/campaign/globalwarming_petition
FInally, research international solutions. Personally, I support an international carbon tax:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/16/business/16view.html
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I agree. I mean global warming is no longer a theory because no matter how you phrase it or what you personally beleive that the cause is, the fact remains that the earth is changing at a rapid pace and it is bocoming our responsibility to cope with these changes as they occur without a complete guide to everything that is going to change because of it. That is the challenging part because I feel as if this will be one of the first problems that the younger generation will have to step up and be the front runners in management of the global environment.
global warming is a fact, but its also natural. the earth has been MUCH hotter in the past then it is now, just like it has been much colder. but i agree that we need to do something to protect our environment and our o-zone by stopping our polution and starting to really respect our earth and take care of it.
Ya know, I am so confused. I cannot decide whether I think global warming really is going on or if it is just the natural cycle of the earth to have a warming and heating period. Theres so much evidence for both. Idk im kinda leaning toward the cycles of the earth though. hit me up w/ some info please. (for both sides of the debate)
Here's another blog about it that hopefully explains a little bit about GW.
http://www.progressiveu.org/201005-confused-about-global-warming-part-1-...