Global Warming
Global warming is one of the most serious challenges facing us today. To protect the health and economic well-being of current and future generations, we must reduce our emissions of heat-trapping gases by using the technology, know-how, and practical solutions already at our disposal.
Global warming is one of the most serious challenges facing us today. To protect the health and economic well-being of current and future generations, we must reduce our emissions of heat-trapping gases by using the technology, know-how, and practical solutions already at our disposal.
Tropical
deforestation is the largest source of emissions for many developing countries,
but slowing deforestation can’t solve the climate problem by itself. As
forest-rich developing countries step up to take responsibility for reducing
their emissions, all industrialized nations should not only support their
efforts but, most importantly, reduce their own emissions and lead efforts to avert
dangerous climate change.
For years we
have heard so much about the causes of climate change, that we’ve missed the
fact that there are simple, practical solutions that can slow this growing
problem. Technologies exist today that can cut emissions of heat-trapping gases
and make a real difference in the health of our planet. And these solutions
will be good for our economy, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and enhance
our energy security.
Global
warming doesn’t just mean balmy February days in northern climes. It also means
increasingly hot days in the summer, and a host of negative impacts that are
already under way and are expected to intensify in the
coming decades.
coming decades.
-More heat
waves will likely increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and deaths.
-Cities and towns along the nation’s major rivers will experience more severe and frequent flooding.
-Some areas will likely experience more extensive and prolonged droughts.
-Some of our favorite coastal and low-lying vacation areas, such as parts of the Florida Keys and Cape Cod, will be much less appealing as sea levels rise, dunes erode, and the areas become more vulnerable to coastal storms.
-Many families and businesses, who have made their living from fishing, farming, and tourism could lose their livelihoods, and others who love hunting, boating, skiing, birdwatching, and just relaxing near lakes, streams, and wetlands will see some of their favorite places irretrievably changed.
-Cities and towns along the nation’s major rivers will experience more severe and frequent flooding.
-Some areas will likely experience more extensive and prolonged droughts.
-Some of our favorite coastal and low-lying vacation areas, such as parts of the Florida Keys and Cape Cod, will be much less appealing as sea levels rise, dunes erode, and the areas become more vulnerable to coastal storms.
-Many families and businesses, who have made their living from fishing, farming, and tourism could lose their livelihoods, and others who love hunting, boating, skiing, birdwatching, and just relaxing near lakes, streams, and wetlands will see some of their favorite places irretrievably changed.
The solutions
to climate change are here and it’s time we put them to use. If we get started
today we can tackle this problem and decrease the unpleasant outcomes that
await us if we do nothing. The steps we need to take are common sense. And,
more often than not, they will save consumers money. The cost of inaction,
however, is unacceptably high.
The
scientific consensus is in. Our planet is warming, and we are helping make it
happen by adding more heat-trapping gases, primarily carbon dioxide (CO2), to
the atmosphere. The burning of fossil fuel (oil, coal, and natural gas) alone
accounts for about 75 percent of annual CO2 emissions from human activities.
Deforestation—the cutting and burning of forests that trap and store
carbon—accounts for about another 20 percent.
Procrastination is not an option. Scientists agree that if we wait 10, 20, or 50 years, the problem will be much more difficult to address and the consequences for us will be that much more serious.
Procrastination is not an option. Scientists agree that if we wait 10, 20, or 50 years, the problem will be much more difficult to address and the consequences for us will be that much more serious.
We’re
treating our atmosphere like we once did our rivers. We used to dump waste
thoughtlessly into our waterways, believing that they were infinite in their
capacity to hold rubbish. But when entire fisheries were poisoned and rivers
began to catch fire, we realized what a horrible mistake that was.
Our
atmosphere has limits too. CO2 remains in the atmosphere for about 100 years.
The longer we keep polluting, the longer it will take to recover and the more
irreversible damage will be done.
Fuel-efficient vehicles. Renewable energy. Protecting threatened forests. These common sense solutions won’t only reduce global warming, many will save us money and create new business opportunities.
Fuel-efficient vehicles. Renewable energy. Protecting threatened forests. These common sense solutions won’t only reduce global warming, many will save us money and create new business opportunities.
Best of all,
these solutions exist now. We just need to insist that business and government
take the necessary steps to make them available and affordable. Then we have to
let consumers know what to do and provide incentives to help all of us make
better choices.
The following five sensible steps are available today and can have an enormous impact on the problem CO2 remains in the atmosphere for about 100 years.
The following five sensible steps are available today and can have an enormous impact on the problem CO2 remains in the atmosphere for about 100 years.
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