Global warming is an observed increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere and oceans in the recent decades. For those of you living under a rock, in some way or another, global warming has been brought to the attention of the public through media such as Al Gore's documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." The film is all about the statistics and warning signs that the Earth is headed for disaster within our generation's lifetime.
If this is real, why aren't we doing more? Why are we spending billions fighting the Iraq War if in 50 years there could be nothing left?
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but these are just a few questions brought to mind when thinking about this touchy subject. You can read up on the cause - that adding carbon dioxide to Earth's atmosphere through fossil fuel burning is rapidly warming up the Earth's climate.
Of course, we all should know that with every scientific study there's always some doubts and uncertainties. When it comes to the topic of global warming, however, there are many skeptics.
What we don't know is how much warming will occur and how it will affect the Earth in the next couple of decades. Who could predict that? Not me. When doing the research, read up on health risks of increased temperatures such as malaria, dengue fever and encephalitis from mosquitoes. Massive ice sheets are melting rapidly. There's evidence of rising sea-levels and coastal flooding. Many scientists say that at least a million land-dwelling animals and plants are on the way to complete extinction. But these are only some of the facts.
What can you do as an individual? Here are a few tips: Home energy accounts for much of America's pollution. Change a light bulb and try a fluorescent one. These have been proven to cut your electric bill way down.
Drive less aggressively, those of you in love with your accelerator and brakes; you're using up an extra 125 gallons a year. Try to combine trips, running all your errands in the same area at once instead of making it in separate trips.
Ride a bike. Drive an energy efficient car. Use natural light, open up the shades and let the sun in. There are many other ways you can help reduce pollution. Do your research! This is your future.
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