printGlobal Warming
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Global warming is harsh reality. An international group of scientists has predicted that by mid-century, up to a third of land plants and animal species may be pushed close to extinction. A significant impact of global warming is already discernible in animal and plant populations. In the Arctic region the massive ice sheets are melting and causing the oceans to rise. This rise in ocean level - estimated to be in the region of 6 feet over the next 100 years - will cause massive coastal destruction. Recent scientific evidence suggests a link between the destructive power of hurricanes and higher ocean temperatures, driven in mostly by global warming. | Global warming is harsh reality. An international group of scientists has predicted that by mid-century, up to a third of land plants and animal species may be pushed close to extinction. A significant impact of global warming is already discernible in animal and plant populations. In the Arctic region the massive ice sheets are melting and causing the oceans to rise. This rise in ocean level - estimated to be in the region of 6 feet over the next 100 years - will cause massive coastal destruction. Recent scientific evidence suggests a link between the destructive power of hurricanes and higher ocean temperatures, driven in mostly by global warming. | ||
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== Guilty Households == | == Guilty Households == | ||
| − | Every household contributes to global warming. According to research reports, vehicle use and electricity consumption are two of the greatest contributors to global warming. Visit ' | + | Every household contributes to global warming. According to research reports, vehicle use and electricity consumption are two of the greatest contributors to global warming. Visit 'Global Warming: Early Warning Signs' on [http://www.climatehotmap.org/] and view a map illustrating the local consequences of global warming. You can also purchase the map online as 3ft by 2ft display poster. |
| − | == Human Activities | + | |
| + | == Human Activities == | ||
The ecosystem of the earth is changing. This can greatly be attributed to man and globalization. There is more carbon dioxide in the air than ever before and this acts as a blanket around the earth and makes it warm. | The ecosystem of the earth is changing. This can greatly be attributed to man and globalization. There is more carbon dioxide in the air than ever before and this acts as a blanket around the earth and makes it warm. | ||
| − | + | ||
Human activities have burdened the atmosphere with so many heat-trapping gasses from our cars, power plants, etc. that the earth’s natural capacity to absorb heat to keep the temperature within tolerable limits is getting eroded. Recently, according to the findings by the Nobel Prize-winning chemist Paul Crutzen, growing and burning of many [[bio-fuel]]s releases around twice the amount of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) than earlier estimated. If this is so, then any benefit of using it as an alternative to fossil fuels will be wiped out. | Human activities have burdened the atmosphere with so many heat-trapping gasses from our cars, power plants, etc. that the earth’s natural capacity to absorb heat to keep the temperature within tolerable limits is getting eroded. Recently, according to the findings by the Nobel Prize-winning chemist Paul Crutzen, growing and burning of many [[bio-fuel]]s releases around twice the amount of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) than earlier estimated. If this is so, then any benefit of using it as an alternative to fossil fuels will be wiped out. | ||
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Some examples of common household items polluting the air are: | Some examples of common household items polluting the air are: | ||
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| − | + | * Turning on a light. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * Watching TV. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * Listening to a stereo. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * Washing or drying clothes. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * Using a hair dryer. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * Riding in a car. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * Heating a meal in the microwave. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * Using an air conditioner. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * Playing a video game. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * Using a dish washer. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | These create more greenhouse effects in the atmosphere, and collectively they amount to a lot of pollution. | + | These create more greenhouse effects in the atmosphere, and collectively they amount to a lot of pollution. Visit 'Global Warming Cool it: A home guide to reducing energy costs and greenhouse gases' on [http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/gwci/index.html] for useful tips on steps you can take to reduce global warming. |
| − | Visit | + | |
== Global Warming Consequences == | == Global Warming Consequences == | ||
Apart from increasing the sea levels, rise in earth’s temperatures can cause other alterations in the ecology, including modifying the quantity and pattern of rainfall. These modifications may boost the occurrence and concentration of severe climate events, such as floods, famines, heat waves, tornados, and twisters. | Apart from increasing the sea levels, rise in earth’s temperatures can cause other alterations in the ecology, including modifying the quantity and pattern of rainfall. These modifications may boost the occurrence and concentration of severe climate events, such as floods, famines, heat waves, tornados, and twisters. | ||
| − | + | ||
Lower agricultural outputs, glacier melting, lesser summer stream flows, genus extinctions and rise in the ranges of disease vectors are likely to be the other consequences. Global warming has already made species like golden toad, harlequin frog of Costa Rica extinct and a number of species are threatened with extinction. | Lower agricultural outputs, glacier melting, lesser summer stream flows, genus extinctions and rise in the ranges of disease vectors are likely to be the other consequences. Global warming has already made species like golden toad, harlequin frog of Costa Rica extinct and a number of species are threatened with extinction. | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * Global warming has given rise to various new diseases due to n increase in the earth’s average temperature. This is because bacteria can survive better in higher temperatures and even multiply faster when the conditions are favourable. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * Global warming is enhancing the proliferation of mosquitoes due to the warmer atmosphere and increase in humidity levels. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * The marine life is also very sensitive to the increase in temperatures and global warming is sure to affect some of the species in the water. It is expected that many species will die or become extinct while others, which prefer warmer waters, will increase tremendously. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * Perhaps the most disturbing changes are expected in the [[coral reefs]] that are expected to die off as an effect of global warming. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * Global warming is expected to cause irreversible changes in the [[ecosystem]] and the behavior of animals. | |
== What You Can Do to Prevent Global Warming == | == What You Can Do to Prevent Global Warming == | ||
| − | + | * First take this '''Global Warming Quiz'''[http://reference.aol.com/planet-earth/global-warming/global-warming-quiz] to test your knowledge of the causes and effects of climate change. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * Then make a beginning with this '''Personal Impact Calculator''' [http://reference.aol.com/planet-earth/global-warming/calculator] to measure your household's greenhouse gas emissions and learn how to reduce them | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * '''Raise Your Voice''' - If you want to raise a voice against global warning in an international forum, join '''Stopglobalwarming.org'''[http://www.stopglobalwarming.org/] and become a part of a movement to make your voice heard | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * ''' Shopping to Stop Global Warming''' - A company called '''Cooler''' ([http://www.climatecooler.com/]) has been launched with the aim of connecting every online purchase to a solution for global warming. It has partnered with hundreds of Internet’s most popular stores to offer millions of products and services. After each purchase you make Cooler calculates the impact your purchase will make on global warning and the stores pay Cooler to invest in projects that would eliminate global warming. It’s free to join and the prices you pay are no higher than normal. | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * For a ready reference on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions see - [http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/home.html] | |
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| − | + | == References and Useful Websites == | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * http://www.nrdc.org/globalWarming/f101.asp#1 | |
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| − | + | * http://www.globalwarming.org.in/ | |
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| − | + | * http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215471/global_warming.htm | |
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| − | + | * http://www.ecobridge.org/content/g_cse.htm | |
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| − | + | * http://www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2007/September/21090701.asp | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * http://fightglobalwarming.com/ | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * http://www.globalwarming.org.in/global-warming-facts.php | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | * http://whyfiles.org/080global_warm/index.html | |
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| + | [[Category: Environment]] | ||
Revision as of 11:20, 6 November 2007
Global warming is harsh reality. An international group of scientists has predicted that by mid-century, up to a third of land plants and animal species may be pushed close to extinction. A significant impact of global warming is already discernible in animal and plant populations. In the Arctic region the massive ice sheets are melting and causing the oceans to rise. This rise in ocean level - estimated to be in the region of 6 feet over the next 100 years - will cause massive coastal destruction. Recent scientific evidence suggests a link between the destructive power of hurricanes and higher ocean temperatures, driven in mostly by global warming.
Contents |
Guilty Households
Every household contributes to global warming. According to research reports, vehicle use and electricity consumption are two of the greatest contributors to global warming. Visit 'Global Warming: Early Warning Signs' on [1] and view a map illustrating the local consequences of global warming. You can also purchase the map online as 3ft by 2ft display poster.
Human Activities
The ecosystem of the earth is changing. This can greatly be attributed to man and globalization. There is more carbon dioxide in the air than ever before and this acts as a blanket around the earth and makes it warm.
Human activities have burdened the atmosphere with so many heat-trapping gasses from our cars, power plants, etc. that the earth’s natural capacity to absorb heat to keep the temperature within tolerable limits is getting eroded. Recently, according to the findings by the Nobel Prize-winning chemist Paul Crutzen, growing and burning of many bio-fuels releases around twice the amount of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) than earlier estimated. If this is so, then any benefit of using it as an alternative to fossil fuels will be wiped out.
Some examples of common household items polluting the air are:
- Turning on a light.
- Watching TV.
- Listening to a stereo.
- Washing or drying clothes.
- Using a hair dryer.
- Riding in a car.
- Heating a meal in the microwave.
- Using an air conditioner.
- Playing a video game.
- Using a dish washer.
These create more greenhouse effects in the atmosphere, and collectively they amount to a lot of pollution. Visit 'Global Warming Cool it: A home guide to reducing energy costs and greenhouse gases' on [2] for useful tips on steps you can take to reduce global warming.
Global Warming Consequences
Apart from increasing the sea levels, rise in earth’s temperatures can cause other alterations in the ecology, including modifying the quantity and pattern of rainfall. These modifications may boost the occurrence and concentration of severe climate events, such as floods, famines, heat waves, tornados, and twisters.
Lower agricultural outputs, glacier melting, lesser summer stream flows, genus extinctions and rise in the ranges of disease vectors are likely to be the other consequences. Global warming has already made species like golden toad, harlequin frog of Costa Rica extinct and a number of species are threatened with extinction.
- Global warming has given rise to various new diseases due to n increase in the earth’s average temperature. This is because bacteria can survive better in higher temperatures and even multiply faster when the conditions are favourable.
- Global warming is enhancing the proliferation of mosquitoes due to the warmer atmosphere and increase in humidity levels.
- The marine life is also very sensitive to the increase in temperatures and global warming is sure to affect some of the species in the water. It is expected that many species will die or become extinct while others, which prefer warmer waters, will increase tremendously.
- Perhaps the most disturbing changes are expected in the coral reefs that are expected to die off as an effect of global warming.
- Global warming is expected to cause irreversible changes in the ecosystem and the behavior of animals.
What You Can Do to Prevent Global Warming
- First take this Global Warming Quiz[3] to test your knowledge of the causes and effects of climate change.
- Then make a beginning with this Personal Impact Calculator [4] to measure your household's greenhouse gas emissions and learn how to reduce them
- Raise Your Voice - If you want to raise a voice against global warning in an international forum, join Stopglobalwarming.org[5] and become a part of a movement to make your voice heard
- Shopping to Stop Global Warming - A company called Cooler ([6]) has been launched with the aim of connecting every online purchase to a solution for global warming. It has partnered with hundreds of Internet’s most popular stores to offer millions of products and services. After each purchase you make Cooler calculates the impact your purchase will make on global warning and the stores pay Cooler to invest in projects that would eliminate global warming. It’s free to join and the prices you pay are no higher than normal.
- For a ready reference on how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions see - [7]
