Climate Change The Debate Heats UpToday's focus is on climate change. What is Global Warming? We have discussed in a little but the subject warrants more attention. We invited Anna Williams to join in the discussion. Anna Williams is from Oregon and writes about climate change throughout the world she said, "I promote understanding of Global Warming and the use of solar power and alternative energy. Anna supports and educates others on alternative energy and solar power, as well as humanitarian and non-profit activities. Please read her article carefully. What is Global Warming There seems to be a lot of controversy about global warming these days. Some say it is a fact, others say it isn't. But regardless of whether or not it is a fact, let's step aside from the arguments on the subject, and take a common-sense approach. let's take look at the issues involved. What is Global Warming? We can take a look at the definition of global warming - without taking sides or getting into vested interests, political motivations, reasons, or causes. The definition of global warming in its purity is "an overall increase in world temperatures." Whether this is caused by greenhouse emissions or a natural phenomenon, has no bearing on whether there is an average temperature increase. Is There an Overall Increase in World Temperatures? Alright, now we can take a look at what scientists say about world temperatures. Again, we are going to leave out the reasons why, and simply look at whether or not the Earth's general temperature is rising. According to NASA scientists, the average temperature of the earth rose by one degree Celsius, over the last century. This is based on actual measurements taken with exact measuring instruments. Another report, which was compiled and submitted by 600 scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, made the following statement: "Warming of the climate system is unequivocal." These 600 scientists sifted through thousands of studies and reports, in order to come to the above conclusion. Even scientists who are "opposed" to the global warming theory are not contradicting the fact that the earth's temperature is rising. These scientists are only saying that global warming is a natural phenomena, and is not caused by man. The Causes of Global Warming There are several factors that could contribute to or influence global warming. Greenhouse gases are gases that prevent heat from escaping from the Earth's atmosphere. A few examples of greenhouse gases are: - Carbon Dioxide - A minor but important part of the Earth's atmosphere. Carbon dioxide prevents heat from escaping earth, by blocking infrared radiation reflected off the Earth's surface from leaving the atmosphere. - Methane - A gas produced through the decomposition of waste (in landfills, animal waste, and decomposition of food in human and animal digestive systems). It is created by the production and distribution of natural gas, oil and coal. It is also is produced by incomplete fossil-fuel combustion. - Nitrous Oxide - Another gas produced through the use of commercial fertilizers, natural fertilizers, and fossil fuel combustion (cars, trucks, buses, airplanes, and conventional power plants, to name a few). - Chlorofluorocarbons - Commonly referred to as CFC gases, these are produced primarily by our industries, and are used for products such as, styrofoam, spray-can propellants, refrigerants, electronic circuit boards, and many more. - Water Vapor - This is completely natural, and is caused by the sun evaporating water from our oceans. As you can see, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are produced mainly by human resources, whereas chlorofluorocarbons are exclusively produced by industrial installations. Out of all the above, interestingly enough, the greenhouse gases which have the largest effect on global warming are water vapors. This fact will no doubt please all critics of the "global warming theory". You have to keep in mind, however, the cyclic effect of global warming. A slight increase in temperature will increase the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere, which in turn will increase the temperature, and so on. Thus, a slight effect created by other greenhouse gases has a much larger impact, due to the creation of additional water vapor in the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases: Facts and Figures let's go over some facts and figures here. Again, keep in mind that these measurements are taken by scientific tools. They are not statements for or against global warming. - The amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere has increased by 25 percent since the early 1800s. Ten percent of this increase has occurred between 1958 and the present day. - There are two main factors that responsible for the increase of carbon dioxide. The leading cause is the burning of fossil fuels. Next in line is deforestation. - Methane content in the world's atmosphere increases at a rate of 0.6 percent per year, by current measurements. The atmospheric methane content is now more than twice as high as it was before the Industrial Age, which started in the early 1800s. The Effects of Global Warming I am not the doom-and-gloom sort of person, so I am going to spare you the details here. But I do have an opinion on this subject, so I will share it with you. Regardless of whether the globe is warming or not, it is simply common sense to take care of the environment you live in. The plain facts of the matter are that carbon monoxide is unhealthy, methane makes for unpleasant breathing, and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere is not a laughing matter. While the lack of ozone might make for faster tanning at the beach, the long term effects are not as desirable. What You Can do About Global Warming Believe it or not, you are important - what you do and say is listened to by others, and does make a difference. It doesn't require a lot of effort to do something about conditions in the environment. A little extra care will go a long way. Many are already doing it, and all of us need to get aboard. It starts as simply as recycling your waste, saving energy where you can, or even planting a tree. A great way to reduce pollution in the environment is the use of solar power. 75% of the energy used by the average home is for hot water and heating, and the most economical, and effective way to use solar power is solar heating, and solar hot water heaters. Find out more about how you can take action against Global Warming (as well as save considerably on your energy bills) at Solar Hot Water and Solar Power . Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Williams Climate Change - Global Warming The Debate ContinuesWatch this video let me know which side of the climate change issue you are on. I would love to print your thoughts. Go to your thoughts on the nav bar and write them down. Are you chicken? If you have an opinion let us know. We are one of the top ranked websites on the net. We have a ton of readers and lookers. So jump in my friend and write about climate change. Don't just fume with no one to hear. Do you believe the climate is changing or not. Write it down if you are bold and brave. Come on, I dare you. Climate change ,climate change, climate change and more climate change are you sick of hearing about it?Environmental Issues, Climate Change - CopenhagenThe Global Climate Change meeting concerning environmental issues is turning into a global difference of opinion. The meetings focused turned from issues torich verses poor. It seems the issues and focus of the meeting is avoidance at all cost. Why do you thinkthey would want to avoid the issues? I don't know why but the meeting is turning into political statements instead of global warming.The Global Climate Change meeting is turning into a power struggle between nations. Headlines, Telegraph.co.uk,"Fears that the Copenhagen climate summit could degenerate into an undignified global squabbling match grew on Saturday night as poor nations accused their rich counterparts of forging a "backroom deal" at a secret dinner. " Is mankind capable of sitting down and discussing problems without emotional interverence? I guess if all leaders and all people were like Spock, from Star Trek, no emotions, only logical thinking. Yet, humansare tainted with pride, greed and lust. How will the problem every be solved if the leaders can't take a logical look at the real problem, Global Warming. Colin Freeman boils it all down in an article in Telegraph.co.uk By Colin FreemanPublished: 5:30PM GMT 12 Dec 2009 "After seven days of hard negotiating there is so far only a draft agreement on the table. The framework for a possible "Copenhagen Protocol" talks about cuts for developed nations of between 25 and 45 per cent by 2020, and calls on rich nations to pay their poorer cousins to reduce their emissions. But blanks remain in what negotiators term the "square brackets" - where officials must eventually insert precise figures and dates. Nor has anyone nailed down exactly what measures developing nations - expected to be responsible for the bulk of future greenhouse pollution - should make in return for foreign assistance. There is also the question of making the agreement enforceable in law rather than a non-binding political declaration. Britain has already suggested that a further summit will be necessary in six months time to address that particular issue. " To read the full article Telegraph.co.uk Thousands upon thousands of people showed up in Copenhagen to demand change. But it seems no major changes will be made.India and china refused to make any changes. The world remains divide on the issues and more than likelythey always will. When you put different ideas, religions, economics and personalities together and try to achieve a common goal the result is nil. If we could all see eye to eye war would end but war still rages and the environment is still being destroyed by human arrogance and pride. No Government or human will fix thisole planet. When it is fixed it will be God doing the fixing. He created it and He is the only one with the power to bring nations together. Video From Copehagen Riots
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