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What do you think about global warming and how to deal with it?
The world needs a cleaner source of energy other then what we are depending on now. The question is what will this new source of energy be? I have heard that synthetic fuels can cause more of a problem then what we are dealing with now. To switch from what we use today will be extremely expensive. This is probably one of the reasons why the big corporations are so reluctant to change. They only way to get that change is for the governments to enforce strict rules and penalties that will make them do it. Hydrogen is a better source I think, to power automobiles. Auto manufacturers and the governments should start getting more serious about that and start building the engines and infrastructures to support them.
If there is no effort to reduce the number of people in the world, (and I see no efforts being made) then how can we avoid the inevitable?
Global warming is the result of humans living without an understanding of nature. Now we need to fix the role of humans and the needs of humans. We need to take it as a mission to live harmoniously with nature, otherwise we just postpone the problem.
I may not a scientist but what I do know is that we human beings are the people that have caused global warming. Our greed for money has taken its toll on the environment and now, we are suffering the consequences. I believe global warming can be at least minimized if every human in this world still has a heart for Mother Nature.
Yes, alternative technologies are a perfectly viable replacement for fossil fuels. Initially they are only a partial solution, but as technology improves it should become a more permanent solution.
Phasing out fossil fuels is the most sensible way to go about it, so we can learn by the mistakes made along the way. By mixing and matching which energy sources we use, so that we're not reliant on any one form too easily, we would make using alternative fuels safer, cheaper and reliable.
I have one question: Despite all the scientific advancements, why do we see so much suffering all around us?
In regards to global warming, we should no longer be asking who is responsible, but how we can begin to reverse the effects.
Every individual, no matter where they are located, can help reverse these effects if they become aware. Simple acts can go a long way, so rather than place blame, let us all become aware. If politicians, and other country officials, opened the floor to their citizens and addressed the facts, rather than hide them, we could all change.
Perhaps we will never be able to reverse all of the changes brought on by global warming, and perhaps we will only delay now inevitable consequences, but isn't even the slightest bit of progress better than nothing? All I hear and see, even on these comments, are individuals pointing their fingers.
Stop pointing, and start impacting. If you think you can change something, then get out there and do it, like I strive to do. Inform others, write to Congress; do whatever is in your power, no matter how small an act, or you're not helping either.
Global warming exists. What we need now are solutions, global and individual solutions, not rash blame-games.
I strongly suggest that the issue of global warming should be addressed by the developed countries before the underdeveloped.
The measures being undertaken by the international community in addressing global warming appear to be more preventive and reductive rather than corrective.
The problem with this strategy is that it merely delays the inevitable but does not avert this rapidly unfolding catastrophe. I am not a scientist nor an expert in this field, but in this age of modern science and advancement, there must be a better alternative.
Are the effects of global warming truly irreversible? Can't we develop technology to drain the "greenhouse" gases, render them harmless, disperse it somewhere safe or convert these gases to their basic elements (recycle), or better yet harness it as some form of energy source?
The international community should invest in researching and developing technology to at least attempt accomplishing that objective. These suggestions I know are overly simplistic and unrealistic but with so much as stake, anything is worth a try. And sometimes even the most complicated and effective solutions spring forth from the sillies ideas.
I totally agree that global warming is due to human activities. Each and every person now has an obligation to use natural resources like water, fossil fuels, electricity very cautiously so that this disaster can be postponed. Global warming is another name for negligence and human greed.
Concerning the global warming problem, I see a lot of people working on the issue of how to stop it but I heard of nobody framing a Plan B. What if the planet finally warms up and water level goes up?
Thinking out loud, the first idea that comes into my mind as a solution is, how can the amount of the Earth's surface containing desert benefit from the melting of the Poles? The amount of water frozen in the Poles is comparable to the amount of desert on the Earth's surface. Considering this, it is not difficult to think that all the water can be redirected towards desert areas where lack of water is a major problem for a lot of species.
This comment does not attempt to minimize the efforts of those who work to stop global warming, but considering the way the problem is being attended, I only try to bring a new issue into the debate table.
Whether or not global warming is taking place, It is still taking affect on our communities. People are arguing, politicians aren't listening, and this whole thing is blown out of proportion.
Now if global warming is taking place it will not "jump from one state to another" as said by Mr Lovelock. This is because the Earth is not a responding system. It is simply a planet with life sustained by energy from the Sun. Therefore the changes in weather and climate will occur gradually, as they currently are.
There is nothing that we can do about it considering that we are not the main cause of green house gases. That is the work of Mother Nature.
My wish is for people to stop destroying, killing and make a plan for the new generation to make this world a better, safer place to live.
Without an ecology we cannot have an economy. FACT. The industrialization of the world has bought about changes to this planet that man doesn't have the time to do anything about let alone know how to fix.
Our seabirds have gizzards stuffed with pieces of broken plastic (which they cannot pass) slowly poisoning them to death; ocean bottoms are layered with detritus of man-made plastic bags hovering at all depths silently imitating food for a whale or dolphin to choke on; millions of liters of our excrement are mixed with industrial toxicity pumped into our oceans every hour; forests that have taken billions of years to build our atmosphere are being ripped from the face of the Earth; the steady addition of toxins to our air and water by governments testing atomic bombs and monolithic corporations who answer to nobody 'cause everybody's faceless, dumping shit on whoever and whatever they please; CEO's smiling in church as their lawyers clean the mess.
The money is all important and as long as it is nothing will change. Read: NOTHING WILL CHANGE.
Because of the above, every biosystem of every ecology in the world is on its last gasp. We don't care when a species vanishes but by Jesus don't you mess with "our" right to live to the best.
Humans make me want to throw up, really. Most of them who are now suddenly 'conservationists' are only wearing that skin because they're scared about DYING. They don't really think about the EARTH and it's true custodians, the wild animals.
Unfortunately it is the animals who, through no doing of their own, have to suffer the activities of man and have to suffer it without the understanding or awareness with which we take for granted. I feel for the animals.
But I have no sad feelings for humans. It always struck me as the height of arrogance and hubris, the way man puts himself at the top of the tree of evolution as the most advanced life-form. No man, you blew it. You had paradise. But "as soon as ya call some place paradise; kiss it goodbye" as the Eagles said. They were right.
My wish is for CNN to put forth programs that deal with conservation. I have 12 grandchildren and hope they will have a future. By urging your viewers to recycle, conserve and reuse, I believe it will make a difference. Thank you.
The debate on whether human activity is causing global climate change is all but finished. Few dispute this and even US President George W. Bush has admitted the problem exists. Despite this overwhelming evidence, mankind is unwilling to take decisive action to alter what could eventually cause enormous damage to our natural world and ourselves as a result.
Perhaps we think that our money and ingenuity will shield us from these consequences. Perhaps we feel our scientists will come up with a last minute solution, or maybe we just believe it will only affect the poor countries far away from our sheltered paradise. Or perhaps we have just lost our minds and are all blindly racing towards an uncertain future too preoccupied with our day to day responsibilities.
Our industries cry out that resolving the problem will be too costly. I wonder if any CEO would argue against the cost of his heart surgery. Our politicians, those we entrust to ensure our well being and lead us forward are reluctant to make any concrete commitments that would inevitably be unpopular at first and jeopardize their chances for re-election.
All this is pure insanity running rampant. How can we be so limited and selective in our thinking with so much at stake? How can we be so selfish as to risk the future of our children and generations to come because we do not want to drive smaller cars or make any number of what many believe to be unacceptable sacrifices?
Despite the many efforts of many good people, the vast majority of the world is not doing nearly enough to make any reasonable difference and it is only a matter of time before we hit a point of no return. Only after catastrophe strikes again and again, close to our home where it hurts, will we then say that something must be done and start demanding changes.
Unfortunately, this is what will probably happen and only the extent of the damage and what remains of a world we knew is in question.
In the meantime, my humble belief of what immediate actions should take effect are as follows:
1) Every individual makes the changes in their lives that would minimize their impact and there are many.
2) An economy that reflects true costs should be implemented and products and services that pollute should be heavily taxed where those that respect nature are subsidized. In other words, any SUV should cost over $100K and a hybrid under $15 or $20K etc. Gas should be $5 a gallon which would create the market incentives to increase mileage and invest in alternative fuels. The list is endless but many studies have shown that this type of solution would eventually create more jobs and distribute wealth more evenly not too mention lead to a healthier and cleaner environment.
I still have hope that we can limit the consequences of our actions if we can elect the proper leaders who are willing to make the tough decisions and if we are capable of changing our lifestyles so that they are in balance with the earth's capacity to sustain us.
To combat global wareming, we must create real awareness of it in humankind, starting from primary school. We must also have population control and use less fossil fuels
This must include reducing the number of car users and having more public transport users, and making nations accountable for global warming by their use of fossil fuels in the name of luxury life.
I'm doing a project on air quality at school and I may not be very official or important but I am learning the seriousness of it all and the fact that it's me and my future children and grandchildren who are going to have to face this.
I believe that global warming is an entirely too big of a problem. It is causing glacier melting, changes in ocean temperatures and changing temperatures in the atmosphere.
I believe that if something is not done as soon as possible we have much more to lose than we think. There is way too much that we take for granted in the world today to realize what we could possibly lose.
Not everyone is going to cooperate when it comes to changing lifestyles in order to save our planet. But if the majority of the people make an effort, some changes can be made before it is too late.
Research should concentrate on finding new ways to produce energy without harming our environment, such as solar or wind power. Mandatory recycling would reduce the production and waste of natural resources. Creating cars and vehicles that don't produce harmful emissions and release them into the atmosphere would be a big help as well.
The world is connected in a big circle. It is not possible for someone to do something without having some sort of consequence, good or bad. That is what is happening with our planet right now. Humans didn't look at what the consequences to their actions might be. Now we have to take some action and clean up what we have done.
SPS (solar-powering satellites) are the solution. The sun is our savior, but we have to reach for the sky in order to harness its healing power.
As a scientist, I can see why we are concerned by global warming. The future holds many changes in temperature but also in ecological effect. Resources on Earth have been far too easily available to us, but now that is about to change.
It is time that we begin to look at new perspectives in how to harness fuels for the future that are compatible to our environment and these can be collected from 'light'. Light is one of the most powerful elements to life and it can provide for life. Light can be manipulated for power and it can be released back to earth from above, by satellite, after refinement on the planet surface. This is the 're-bound effect'. CO2 gas can absorb energy from light and this is one of the elements which can be used in harnessing effect for our future fuel supply. We must use the natural elements that are around us to save this world from disaster.
There is a saying in my country that says if an individual who goes to the stream to fetch water makes the water unclean, he or she will have to drink it like that.
If the world keeps on waving the issue of global warming aside, then it is clear that in the future we have to live with it like that. So I think it's high time we act to save our environment, this involves everybody at all levels collaborating to save our world.
The funny part of this whole situation is that the developed countries, that are contributing almost 80% of these industrial gases, are able to reduce emissions but they keep procrastinating.
Global warming is a reality. Though you cannot stop it altogether, You can make an effort to reduce the addition of greenhouse gases by way of using non-conventional means.
I firmly believe that what is causing the warming is not above the ground but under it. I think we can expect volcanoes to become more active with new ones added. I think the center of the earth is warming at the core and like a bubbling liquid is beginning to send off bubbles of heat and air. So, I may be wrong but what if my theory is right?
Global warming will one day destroy our planet. Our air will be unbreathable and basically all life will cease to exist on Earth. Ways to stop global warming: STOP POLLUTION.
I think pollution carries much of the blame for global warming. Emissions form automobiles, power plants, chemical industries etc. are doing their best to pollute the air.
Every year we are dealing with so many catastrophes, all due to global warming. I think this world is going one way -- a dead end from which no one will return.
Each individual, every person must make changes in their lives. If we can individually change we can make a very big difference. We must act and do what we can.
We must make changes in what we see as important in our lives. The way we have lived for the past 50 years cannot continue. What we think that the next 75-100 years may be different, very different.
We must realize that this planet is important and the environment has been abused, possibly beyond repair, but we still must try. I'm sad for my kids and grandkids. I'm worried and personally have made changes and still have many more changes to make.
Prior to 1900, the amount of carbon dioxide was ca. 0.0280% by volume for mid-latitude dry air at sea level and 0 deg. C. Presently, this value is about 0.0380%. Essentially, the composition of the atmosphere has remained unchanged for the last 100 years.
Yet, the climatologists are claiming and trying to convince us that the carbon dioxide produced by the combustion of fossil fuels is 'the' major greenhouse gas that is responsible for the present trend of global warming. This claim is incorrect. There is one and only one major greenhouse gas and that is water vapor. So what the guys up to?
The 1997 Kyoto accord was scheme devised by all the envious, jealous, and mean-spirited countries of the old world to embarass the United States, an economic, social and political juggernaut that just keeps rolling on down the highway.
The officials and scientists of these countries knew with absolute certainty that the US would never ever agree to the terms of this accord. Consequently, they have an on-going excuse to bad mouth US.
The scientists also knew that the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to the recommended levels was impossible for almost all countries.
There is also a sinister and hidden agenda in the Kyoto accord. By producing all the gloom and doom scenarios with their computers, the scientists have ensured that governments will shower them with copious amounts of research funds for the foreseeable future. In his farewell address to the nation, the late President Eisenhower warned that the scientific and technological elite are a threat to public policy and the political process and we should be wary of them.
There are a number of unknown factors that could contribute to global warming. The influence of undersea volcanic activity is unknown. Since 1990, over 50% of the world's forests have been cut down to make way for agricultural uses, urbanization, lumber, pulp, etc.
Forests are like umbrellas that keep the earth cool. Clean air has less particulate matter which has a cooling effect due to reflection of sunlight. Since 1990, where has all the billions of pounds of minute black heat-absorbing particles of rubber and asphalt gone? The simple answer is everywhere.
here are many method to solve this problem. First of all, we have to reduce car use.
As a parent I hope for a future world with minimal complications from global warming. While I believe it is caused by the actions of man, I say that even if you don't believe this we need to try and do something about it for future generations.
It is selfish of us to live for ourselves and the present only. I don't see people changing soon, but I hope that we can look forward and for the good of all rather than living in the "Me NOW" times we have.
We need to start by using our voices as voters to elect leaders that are future thinking and world-view centered.
Pollution will lead to several health problems and will eventually deplete the ozone layer, causing us to be unprotected from the harsh sun. We will have to always wear a hat and stay indoors.
It's not "just" global warming from fossil fuels... there's also global dimming.
It's a 98% certainty that mankind will not abandon its fossil fuel addiction. Humanity's use of fossil fuels is 33% responsible for the change in global weather. There are three other human factors that contribute the remaining 67%: deforestation at 13%; all human pollutants at 14%; and global urbanization at 40%.
We passed our last window of opportunity to redress this problem in 2003; nature's backlash has already established momentum, and its upcoming effect upon human civilization from 2008-2010 could be compared to a 10.7 earthquake in Los Angeles.
People are a malignant growth on the body of the Earth, that will kill it and then will die itself.
Theories, assumptions, predictions etc... will fail. Nothing man can do will stop the impending doom awaiting mankind in the nearest future.
A great part overlooked is the fact that oil insulates the globe. The Earth's inner heat is also being released. It would be extremely wise to consider replacing the oil taken with some type of insulation to stop the release of heat and deformation of the globe -- nitrogen and water to re-establish pressure are not insulating the inner core heat.
Telsa tried to give us a way to conduct electricity freely. His work is available and should re-introduced. Cold fusion isn't being taken as a true alternative. It should be and funded immediately.
Let's hope that our jump towards man's extinction from the face of the Earth through global warming comes before we humans manage to escape this once unpolluted planet to pollute other unpolluted planets.
We should aim to bring about our extinction through global warming as swiftly as possible so that nobody is left to suffer, blame, or remember the reason for our sudden disappearance from the face of the Earth.
In the meantime, let us enjoy the time we have left.
It may be too late to do much about global warming at this late date. If U.S. citizens reduced their consumption of resouces to compare more favorably with the rest of the world, maybe, but I can't see that happening in my lifetime. As long as there is profit to be made from oil, there will be excess consumption in the U.S.
I believe a large part of the skepticism stems from a saddening distrust of science, born from generations of arguments against evolution. If the science behind the theory of evolution cannot be trusted, why should one trust the science of global warming?
People are further misled when those in power perpetuate this blind distrust. Countering theories with other theories, supported by evidence of course, plays an important role within the scientific community, but doubting a scientific consensus simply because of stubbornness endangers the foundations of all scientific conclusions. If you can doubt the majority results of one experiment, why not doubt them all?
The science behind global warming is simply undebatable. The evidence has revealed itself all over this planet.
It is no longer a theory, nor is it a leap of faith. Instead of debating whether or not global warming is happening, we should be pressuring politicians to pay attention to scientists' warnings. Those in power ignored the warnings about New Orleans and just look at the result.
Unfortunately, Hurricane Katrina revealed another great weakness in humanity -- selfishness. Nations and humans alike mirror this personality trait, and only disaster seems to open the eyes and reveal the pink elephant in the room.
I'm hoping against hope that we can win the fight against scientific distrust and selfishness before another disaster attempts to teach humanity the lesson it can't seem to learn.
The damage from global warming will simply be irreversible if corrective steps are not taken within the next 20-25 years.
With the massive excavation of minerals, coal, oil, gas, etc etc, we are like greedy men sitting on top of a building, who don't realize that they are removing the main foundations bit by bit.
It's sad how environmentalists can bury themselves under so much ignorance.
More so-called greenhouse gases come from volcanoes and natural sources than mankind and the animal world can generate.
Overplanting a particular area is as bad as a manufacturing plant. Comparing mankind to Mother Nature is like comparing the Earth to the sun! Man is almost as unimportant to the Earth as the Earth or moon is to the sun.
Even though I think the argument that we are in an odd section of a cyclical weather pattern that runs over years or even centuries holds a lot of weight, there are simply too many people on our planet using too many resources - and it's getting worse...!
The environmental problems the world faces today are the consequences of decades of depleting and abusing the planet's natural resources.
It is so obvious that the situation is critical, as people all over the world have been and will be suffering from natural catastrophes such as tsunamis, hurricanes, droughts and inundations.
These natural disasters have become more constant and expected, specially in certain parts of the world. Strange environmental signs have been witnessed all around the planet. This is Earth's response to the way she has been treated for so long.
We must do something, and it has to start from the superpowers of the world. Developing countries are the ones who pollute the planet less, and in addition, must care for the well-being of their millions of citizens living in poverty.
It is necessary to support and educate people about recycling methods, energy consumption, and pollution. Simultaneously, large companies and industries must understand and work together in order to not exceed environmental limits.
It's for the sake of all of us, and of our future generations.
Not even 50% of all damage made on Earth has arrived at the ozone layer yet -- we are really going to see a drastic global change. How do we help? How are businesses helping? What do we do?
If we don't snap out of it NOW, and I mean NOW, we're not gonna have to worry about our kids, or our kids' kids, 'cause there's not gonna be any. Wake up America!
The biggest greenhouse gas producers on the planet are humans themselves.
Every single one of us expels CO2 and methane at rates that when added to the population growth over the last 100 years adds up to billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases per year.
There are millions in this world who cannot afford to even think of global warming at this stage -- they are craving the basic amenities.
For examples, there are many homes in India (currently the second-largest populated country on the globe) where you won't find any electric lights and fans.
We the people are the trouble on this Earth we should press the Canadian government to act properly.
I am concerned that once the global thermostat goes up, it's too late.
Some reports I've read indicate events will now cascade in an ever more rapid sequence: as the polar ice melts, more open ocean will absorb more heat, the remaining ice will melt faster, and then solidified methane from the tundra and ocean floors will enter the atmosphere as a gas that traps additional heat.
Some say the point of no return was passed decades ago. I respect Al Gore for courageously calling attention to the issue, but I wonder if it's not unrealistic to believe we can somehow stop a process of this scale once it has been triggered.
Automobile emissions are a major contributor to CO2 releases into the atmosphere, which leads to global warming.
One solution is to reduce the number of personal transport vehicles on the roads (cars, bikes etc).
I am associated with India's first carpool matching site, http://www.indimoto.com which is promoting the cause of carpools to save the environment and save fuel. Join the carpool revolution save the planet.
It will be hard for people to change their lifestyles because we want to develop and industrialize.
It is true global warming is caused by our ways of life and until people see the destruction first hand then we will not change. It is hard to tell someone to change while they don't see their wrong doings.
It will take twice the time for global warming to be stopped then the time it took to take place.
In my country, Indonesia, we have two seasons, dry and wet, from September to February for the wet season and March to August for dry.
But now our season is really unpredictable -- the dry season can now take a long time and of course that's a big problem for farmers.
If this happens too long the North Pole will melt and can cause a big 'tsunami' that would be a disaster. I think every country needs to open their eyes about global warming.
Global Warming -- the name itself shows it is a global problem. Each and every living organism is going to be effected by global warming.
We have almost reached the stage where pollution, the catalyst for global warming, cannot be controlled. Treaties, discussions and white papers are a mere waste of time.
Why can't developed countries concentrate on a green revolution rather than
concentrating on their economic development, pushing poorer countries into more and more poverty.
This mighty planet is like a human body -- if one organ has pain and if it is left in that pain then it affects other organs, eventually destroying the whole body.
This not an individual problem, it is a problem for entire planet.
I think the entire issue is being deliberately obscured by the term "global warming." The issue isn't about climate change. The Earth has gone through periods of natural warming and cooling and will continue to do so.
The real issue is pollution. There is no debate that greenhouse gases are air pollution. The debate shouldn't be about global warming. It should be about curtailing pollution. The entire planet agrees on this.
Leave the global warming debate out of the equation and we would have broad consensus to curtail air pollution.
Global warming may or may not be our fault, but air pollution certainly is. If we stop air pollution, we also stop our adding to greenhouse gases. Whether or not this would stop global warming is another issue. Cleaner air would definitely be the result.
I agree with Pat Lynch -- we are currently enjoying the fruits of nature and so must do something in turn to preserve it.
In my opinion, pollution shares much of the blame for global warming. Emissions form automobiles, power plants, chemical industries etc. are doing their best to pollute the air.
I don't say that we must halt all these processes, just use more non-conventional methods.
There seem to be a few people (mainly Americans!) with comments along the lines of 'global warming is a theory'
I think these people need to get out of their 4 x 4s (SUVs) and educate themselves a little more about what the human species is doing to the world!
If everyone sits back and says: 'Oh, but what can I do?' then no one will do anything and we will end up being the masters of our own destruction.
We need to get our heads out from the sand (Mr Bush!) and take action before the effects are wholly irreversible!
The Earth had the capability to "heal" itself but it will take hundreds of years, maybe millennia. All we should do now is to conduct more and more research targeted at the environment.
It is true that we can't turn back time, but we can find a way to prevent further destruction and if possible find a solution to help Earth heal faster.
Funny how we all accept the greenhouse gas effect when it's on Venus.
Global warming is not just literal "global warming." It is shorthand for every follow-on effect of rising greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The greenhouse effect is real -- in fact, it's atmospheric chemistry. Or is "chemistry" just a theory?
Similar skeptical comments accompanied the ozone hole debate before we banned CFCs. Where are those skeptics now?
Global warming is an issue we are not taking seriously, as both humans beings and governments, despite all the scientific evidence and research that has shown climate change will harm us in a near future.
World leaders have yet to come to an understanding regarding how to deal with this problem. Unless the U.S takes a pro-environmental policy initiative, other world leaders will not care.
If we don't start caring now, then later on when we are facing droughts and famine caused by global warming and its weather changes, it will be too late. We have to take a stand worldwide and let our governments know we care about our future and children's future.
Global warming and the greenhouse effect is a matter of crucial importance for every human being across the globe.
In my opinion, we are all to blame for the disaster which our daily actions cause to our fragile ecosystem.
It is difficult to suggest further steps for curbing greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale because this situation is, unfortunately. a double-edged sword.
We -- mankind -- use the Earth's natural resources such as fossil fuels as a way of making our lives much better and safer than ever before. But at the same time our actions contribute towards ruining our natural habitat at an ever more rapid pace.
Even If the U.S. was to stop today all pollution, Third World nations are just beginning to come on line, and their economic development is their driving force.
We make up only 5% of the world and as the 60% that makes up the under-developed nations begins to come on line, pollution will reach saturation levels.
But keep in mind that a single volcano can generate 1,000 times the environmental impact in one hour that we have done in the last 2,000 years, just look at the records for 1816.
I fear that the near-term consequences of the current rate of global warming threatens extinction of human life on this planet.
We've explored the universe with our telescopes and have found no other world with life one it. It seems obvious to me that we (all humans) should place return to a healthy Earth at the top of all our activities. If we do not, there will be no living with the consequences.
Leading climate scientists agree that this is our last chance to reverse the changes that are happening to our climate before they start spiralling out of our control.
If we continue at the rate of pollution that we are at today, temperatures will rise by several degrees, thereby killing off plants and animals, rivers and lakes will dry up, sea levels will rise, and hurricanes will become larger and more dangerous. The time is now!!!
The ice caps are already melting, it's too late to stop the process and turn it around
The U.S. and all the money-orientated corporations and industries need to realize that time is an issue here. They need to stop overlooking the only subject at this moment in time which will at some point, be it in 2 months or 25 years, affect every living thing in the world!
1. CO2 levels have been rising for 100 years. (FACT)
2. Global temperatures may or may not be rising, depending on the site and method of measurement. They actually appear to have DECLINED from 1940-1970 before rising again.
3. Greenhouse gases produced by humans are responsible for the global rise in temperature? This is a THEORY not a fact. The earth has warmed up and cooled off about 20 times before prior to human history. Correlation is not causation.
4. Reducing industrial activity will prevent the earth from warming? This is an unproven THEORY not a fact. It is possible that we could eliminate all industrial activity and the earth's temperature would still keep rising.
No real scientist would make climate predictions more than a couple years out as there are just too many variables.
Human life spans and prosperity have increased during the last century at a time when global temperatures may also have been increasing. So why do we fear future increases, particularly a possible increase of only 1 degree over the next 100 years?
The climate certainly is changing -- but then again, when hasn't it?
Geologically, it's not that dramatic. In fact, it's happened many times before without human activity.
Yes, we should reduce emissions and stop chopping down the forests. BUT -- we should plan for this as if it were inevitable... because it is. Just look at the Earth's history and you will see.
It's a sad world we live in. Money runs it. The "I'll be dead before it happens" attitude is what is killing what we take for granted.
Once the influence of urban heat islands is fully accounted for, there is NO "global warming."
We're still pulling out of the little ice age that ended in 1800. CO2 and methane increases are likely a result of that natural temperature increase, not a cause.
Most earth scientists realize natural climate variations are much bigger than the minor fluctuations (up AND down) observed over the past decades. Nature's next step in the cycle is likely an ice age.
Global warming is not caused by man, it is a natural cycle of the Earth. That is why we have ice ages and then they fade back. Unless you believe me dinosaur farts can melt glaciers.
Pass an international law converting every gas operated vehicle, motorcycle, bus, train, plane etc to hybrid. Otherwise we will continue to laugh ourselves right in a global gas chamber.
I submit that the planet is fighting back. The Earth is a living organism and as such has the ability to rid itself of the parasites currently threatening its survival.
Inasmuch as our bodies create anti-bodies to fight out-of-control parasites, so too the Earth will get rid of its parasites -- human beings -- by the millions.
I suspect that we may run out of time on this issue and that the Earth will change to the point that there will be a huge decrease in human population.
This will mean less need for "production" and a reduction in pollution. Of course, in the long run, over thousands of years, the earth will become habitable again -- hopefully the next generations will learn from our mistakes.
It is too late to stop the effects of global warming. We passed that point years ago.
We are now along for the ride of our lives. What the environment will stabilize as, no one knows. Our great-grandchildren will know though, since they are the ones to reap what we have sown.
It is truly evident that our climate is rapidly changing and for the worse. Hurricanes, tornadoes and the strange weather we have been having this winter is proof enough.
Whether anyone can remedy this, I do not know. It already feels like it is too late to turn back and make things right, or at least set things in motion to stop this from happening. Our consumption of natural resources has devastated Mother Nature.
I suspect it is too late to prevent, or even meaningfully mitigate, the effects of global warming. Especially since this (U.S.) administration simply cannot recognize the seriousness of this problem.
Every human being should stand and protect our Earth from global warming. Everyone should think of future generations, and should let the coming generations exist on Earth. There is no other Earth.
To confront global warming, we must immediately begin to reduce energy consumption.
This will change the way we live our lives. Crowded highways with millions of automobiles pumping tons of pollutants in the air must stop. It can't be "business as usual" any more.
More public transportation is needed and I am afraid gasoline prices must climb to what our European neighbors have been paying for years. We will change when economic reality forces us to change.
Although I didn't agree with the Kyoto accord, I have to admit that things will only get worse for the environment. Disaster is imminent on a scale rivalling the mass extinctions that the earth saw 280 million years ago.
It is so obvious that humankind is changing the environment at an alarming pace. If the leaders of the world do not soon wake up and smell the carbon dioxide, the planet will be doomed.
Yes, I believe global warming is happening. I would like to know what I can do to make a difference.
I think US needs to take the lead, as it is the highest producer of greenhouse gases and is the only superpower, just the way they are doing with terrorism.
Unlike the terrorism thing, this issue would find support from almost all countries, and with drastic measures we should be able to avert the disaster in time.
Name: Frederick
Location: Germany