Global Warming

Ten Critical Issues
1. Massive production of Carbon Dioxide and other green house gasses
2. New Technology and Old Habits - This limits how active people become in making changes
3. Warming of Ocean waters by a full degree (fahrenheit) since the 70's
4. Tropical storms that come as a result of warmer waters
5. Melting of polar ice caps - the only way the earth can deflect heat is diminishing!
6. Drought as a result of global warming - an imbalance of water distribution
7. Forest fires as a result of drought
8. Loss of delicate flora and fauna that cannot withstand the temperature changes
9. Introduction of tons of freshwater into saltwater oceans as a result of melting ice caps
10. Slowing of the Gulf Stream as a result of added freshwater

Ten Solutions to the Problem
1. Live greener - use solar energy, geothermal heat, etc. as a way to cut carbon production
2. Drive a hybrid car instead of a gas guzzler
3. Recycle - can be done with anything! Such as clothing, even!
4. Lessen your carbon footprint - move to a smaller house.
5. Live up, not out - skyscrapers have a smaller carbon footprint than any other type of dwelling
6. Share rides or ride the bus
7. Turn down the heat in the winter time and rely upon cross ventilation to cool your house in the summer, as opposed to the AC
8. Become a vegetarian - beef farms produce many greenhouse gasses
9. Plant Trees (or bamboo) - this helps to give off beneficial oxygen
10. Use the internet - this can help to reduce paper trails created by bills, etc.

Both this reading and An Inconvenient Truth scared me somewhat - it's frightening to think of how the damage that was started during the industrial revolution has caught up with humankind. I did, however, find the suggestions of how to improve our carbon output to be very interesting - if everyone was willing to do these small things, it seems that it would really help to save the environment, or to at least assuage further damage.