Star Power And Global Warming
December 14th, 2007 by Global Warmer Subscribe To Our Feed
In April the 22nd, 1970 the US observed the first Earth Day celebration. Decades later, it is observed by many countries all over the globe.
As we learn more about how human activity is impacting the world, more people are changing the way they live and use energy resources.
Individual causes have been started that target one or more of the areas of concern. At the forefront of a few of these causes are many high-profile celebrities that lend their name and support. To name a few -
- Al Gore - Author of the movie “An Inconvenient Truth” which has been shown worldwide. The film focuses on climate change and the evidence for Global Warming. His book of the same name covers the same material and provides additional details.
- Matt Damon - Actor. He is on the Board of GreenDimes which campaigns to reduce junkmail and also to plant trees.
- Barenaked Ladies - Rock group that has joined other musicians in running their transportation on biodiesel.
- Ed Begley Junior - Activist and actor involved in numerous environmental issues. He is well known for using ‘green’ vehicles and residing in a self-sufficient home that is solar powered.
- Robert Redford - Actor, director. He has over thirty years supported and promoted programs for grassroots conservation. He has recently started a program on the Sundance Channel that focuses on ‘green’ issues.
- Bill Clinton - Former President of the U.S. Promoter of the Clinton Initiative that is meant to bring leaders together from around the Earth to work on alternatives for problems that affect our Earth, including the issue of climate change.
- Sting - Musician, activist. Created the Rainforest Foundation that for close to 20 years has helped to protect rainforests.
- Leonardo DiCaprio - Actor. Organized a foundation that deals with environmental topics. He is as well making a documentary on Global Warming.
- Daryl Hannah - Environmentalist and actor. She lives ‘green’ and generates her own electricity in a solar-powered house. She has toured to recommend biodiesel fuel as a fuel alternative resulting in lower emissions. Also a vegetarian, she recommends people go organic.
- Richard Branson - Well known British billionaire who is using 3 billion in profits from his rail and airline businesses to look into energy sources that don’t result in Global Warming.
The roster of well-known people who are involved in effecting a change to preserve and improve our world’s environment is growing. With these famous people involved, an advantage is that it highlights issues like Global Warming that could be ignored by the majority of people.
Technorati Tags: Star Power And Global Warming
Related Tags: No Tags
The Problems With National Climate Policies
December 12th, 2007 by Global Warmer Subscribe To Our Feed
Evidence is growing that the world’s overall temperature is rising and these changes are hurting our environment. Although different natural events could cause a change in the atmosphere, such as a volcanic eruption, the steady increases over the last 50 years in greenhouse gases point mainly to humans as the cause. To change this trend will require the efforts of communities worldwide.
As an example of a single nation setting policies we can look at the United States of America. In recent times the U.S. has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas output. Their stated goal is to reduce these gases by about 20 percent during the 10 year period starting in 2002. This should stop approximately five hundred million metric tons of carbon emissions from going into the atmosphere.
That government intends to do this by:
- By technological improvements to reduce these emissions when created.
- With investigating ways that industry can move to the use of cleaner fuels.
- By working on how energy can be harnessed more efficiently.
Other nations are reaching for and implementing like-minded goals. But enforcing these environmental policies becomes more problematic with increased population growth and the need for expansion.
And when many nations around the world are becoming more aware of the need to limit greenhouse gases, the wide economic or population disparity makes it a problematic issue.
The Kyoto Accord was one specific effort in this regard. A little under 200 nations are working within this agreement that describes a standard. It uses a system of credits that allows for the problems some countries may have in reaching these goals. A country that is able to afford to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions may sell its credits to one that isn’t, with the ultimate goal to reduce the total emissions, for the benefit of our atmosphere and ourselves.
This seems a workable solution but another hurdle arises when major countries, such as Australia and the U.S., while going along in theory with this accord have declined to ratify it. This is partly because of what they feel are unreasonable advantages given to some nations, and partly because they feel some of the restrictions would cause too much strain on the industries. However, others countries who have ratified the protocol could feel at a disadvantage trade wise due to the costs associated with emission controls.
These and other issues that are just a few of the problems man encounters in organizing the international community to reduce Global Warming.
Technorati Tags: Problems With National Climate Policies
Related Tags: No Tags
Science And The Problem Of Global Warming
December 8th, 2007 by Global Warmer Subscribe To Our Feed
To properly coordinate the efforts to analyze and reverse the trend in Global Warming accurate information is vital. This data must then be made accessible to people all over Earth. Mankind relies on science to provide this data.
Although there are some variables in every branch of science many scientists that are studying the issue of Global Warming agree with these facts:
- A warming trend of 0.6 and 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit has definitely happened throughout the 20th century.
- The build up of these greenhouse gases is due to mankind’s industry and the use of fossil fuels for energy resources.
- The makeup of the Earth’s atmosphere is varying, with rising levels of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and methane.
- These greenhouse gases will stay in the air for many decades to come, and that they’ll continue to heat the planet.
Recently, in an effort to confirm yet more information that will result in an answer, studies have been created around the world that combine the work of scientists, environmental researchers, and governments, to study how the planet’s climate change works and what might be the future impact on us.
One program in the US is the CCSP (Climate Change Science Program). The C.C.S.P. uses as a guideline the requirements to meet these goals -
- To improve the awareness of the planet’s climate patterns both past and present.
- To document the changes that have occurred from natural and manmade activity.
- To comprehend how many environmental systems and ecosystems interrelate.
- To understand precisely the causes of climate change.
- To pinpoint solutions and learn their effect on the environment also.
- To uncover a way to generate future projections of changes in the climate and related environmental systems.
A method used by scientists to learn about and predict climate change is by using computer models that represent the interaction of Earth’s air, sea, land, and ice systems. These computer models have proven helpful in comprehending the increase in carbon dioxide concentrations in our atmosphere and the changes to our environment.
This articles helps us to appreciate that the subject of climate change is complex. Science should not only try to understand the requirements of the environment, but as well continue to analyze the consequences that any man made effort to halt or reverse this warming trend may have on societal or economic structures.
Technorati Tags: Science And The Problem Of Global Warming
Related Tags: No Tags
Global Warming- What Could Business Do To Stop It
November 15th, 2007 by Global Warmer Subscribe To Our Feed
The greatest amount of time we’ll spend outside of the house will be at the workplace. Just as with private homes, offices and businesses could do well to analyze how they can work to reduce the impact they’re having on the environment, so as to reduce Global Warming.
In the U.S. about 30 percent of its greenhouse gases originated from the commercial and industrial sectors. This business community may therefore choose to have a valuable impact on the environment, for the good.
Because of steadily growing concern about Global Warming the business that takes a lead in decreasing its share of greenhouse gases (directly or by using less energy, which is typically fossil fuel based), will not only stand to gain support from others but will profit directly from following energy saving and cost reducing measures.
Though businesses are of varying sizes, here are certain suggestions that have already proven valuable -
- Allow some employees to work from home. Just a single day each week can save fuel.
- Energy saving lighting may be used.
- Communicating your energy reduction goals to suppliers and customers may earn their support for any ideas.
- Recycling programs may be started for food containers, paper, electronic equipment, and other assorted trash.
- Financial incentives can be provided to employees who carpool or use public transportation.
- Free parking can be arranged for people that car pool.
- Business cars may be switched with fuel efficient or hybrid cars.
- Make work hours flexible for employees who wish to car pool.
- Employees can be encouraged to suggest ways to reduce energy costs.
- Showers and lockers might be provided for people who walk, run, or ride a bicycle to work.
- Buy office supplies incorporating recycled content.
- Donate used equipment to schools or charities.
- Businesses of all sizes can create an in-house program or committee to analyze where changes can be made to reduce energy. These reports can be made weekly to chart progress.
- Recycle empty photocopier cartridges.
By following some of these ideas businesses benefit:
- They encourage a higher standard of work.
- They gain a public profile that builds customer goodwill.
- They have healthier and more active employees and less absenteeism.
- They save cash.
Employers and employees alike stand to benefit from acting to reduce bad greenhouse emissions in the atmosphere, directly or by lowering energy needs. Their efforts will not only help those in the future but also aid in forming a better work environment now.
Technorati Tags: business global warming, Stop Global Warming, What Could Business Do To Stop Global Warming
Related Tags: No Tags
