Eco Slopes

Global Warming

The mainstream scientific consensus on global warming is becoming clearer every day: changes in our climate are real and they are underway. Now. But we can do something about it.

The evidence that human-induced global warming is real is increasingly clear and compelling.

a. Since the late 19th century, the mean surface temperature of the earth has increased by about 1º F (0.3-0.6°Celsius).

b. Over the last 40 years, which is the period with most reliable data, the temperature increased by about 0.5 º F (0.2-0.3°Celsius).

c. Warming in the 20th century is greater than at any time during the past 400-600 years.

Seven of the ten warmest years in the 20th century occurred in the 1990s, and 1998, with global temperatures spiking due to one of the strongest El Niños on record, was the hottest year since reliable instrumental temperature measurements began. In addition, changes in the natural environment support the evidence from temperature records:

a. mountain glaciers the world over are receding;

b. the Arctic ice pack has lost about 40% of its thickness over the past four decades;

c. the global sea level is rising about three times faster over the past 100 years compared to the previous 3,000 years; and

d. there are a growing number of studies that show plants and animals changing their range and behavior in response to shifts in climate.

Causing serious disruptions to our environment and lives . . .

As the Earth continues to warm, there is a growing risk that the climate will change in ways that will seriously disrupt our lives. While on average the globe will get warmer and receive more precipitation, individual regions will experience different climatic changes and environmental impacts. Among the most severe consequences of global warming are:

a. a faster rise in sea level,

b. more heat waves and droughts, resulting in more and more conflicts for water resources;

c. more extreme weather events, producing floods and property destruction; and

d. a greater potential for heat-related illnesses and deaths as well as the wider spread of infectious diseases carried by insects and rodents into areas previously free from them. If climatic trends continue unabated, global warming will threaten our health, our cities, our farms and forests, beaches and wetlands, and other natural habitats.

We can take action to reduce the threat

Fortunately, we can take action to slow global warming. Global warming results primarily from human activities that release heat-trapping gases and particles into the air. The most important causes include the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, gas, and oil, and deforestation. To reduce the emission of heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides, we can curb our consumption of fossil fuels, use technologies that reduce the amount of emissions wherever possible, and protect the world’s forests.

We can also do things to mitigate the impacts of global warming and adapt to those most likely to occur, e.g., through careful long-term planning and other strategies that reduce our vulnerability to global warming.

Be part of the solution

Clearly, global warming is a huge problem. It will take everyone — governments, industry, communities and individuals working together to make a real difference.

We need to bring sound scientific information to policymakers and the public to educate them about global warming, its impacts, and about available practical solutions. We’re raising awareness of the need for action and working to create Congressional support for ratification of the Kyoto climate treaty.

But we don’t stop there. We’re also advocating policies that will combat global warming over the long term. Things like clean cars that run on alternative fuels, environmentally responsible renewable energy technologies, and stopping the clear-cutting of valuable forests.

These are solutions that will help to reduce global warming, and you can be part of them.

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