The Climate is Changing and So We Must Too!

Never in human history have we faced a planetary crisis of this magnitude. Climate change is our world’s greatest form of global terrorism. Over 150,000 people each year die due to climate change events according to the World Health Organization. The National Academy of Science report on climate changes confirmed this last decade hotter than any other time in 400 years or more. Scientists are now the prophets of seriousness of climate sensitivity rising-- likely greater than 2 degree Celsius, could be as much as 5 or 6 degrees.

A October 2006 British 700 page report cites if no action is taken, rising sea levels, heavier floods, and more intense droughts could displace 200 million people by the middle of this century. The report estimates that climate change will cost the equivalent of 5 to 20 percent of the global domestic product each year. Acting now to cut greenhouses gas emissions would cost about 1 percent GDP per year but only with U.S. and China’s cooperation. This report also indicates that economic growth and environmentalism can go hand and hand in reducing global warming

Our leaders must not act like a doctor waiting for certainty in diagnosis as the patient rapidly perishes. Our manmade particulates in atmosphere, largely as a result of burning coals, other fossils fuels are prime culprit. Arctic sea-ice retreat documented by our satellites show a 5 percent or more per year loss. This has lead to increased emissions of CO2 and methane. Soil and vegetation that absorbed CO2 are shifting and expelling it. Increased heat and widespread fires are just another effect. Changes in air and sea circulations are also caused. As huge ice covers (more of land area of US) of Arctic and Antarctic contract, less reflection of solar radiation back into atmosphere, more oceanic absorption of warmth. 3 percent per decade diminution of winter ocean cover in Arctic.

Sea ice cover in Arctic - 3 percent loss a decade, in Antarctic 1 percent an increase (following major losses in ‘70-- decreased overall since the 70s). We are seeing not just Arctic and Antarctica melting but increases of Category 5 hurricanes.
These weather changes are highly correlated with temperature rises. All these factors are connected. Global warming is leading to increased biomass factors that adds to more melting of ice changing surface of ocean impacting major circulation patterns

The rapid rate of climate change threatens not just our energy and food but our very quality of life. We need local, state, national and world-wide action to buffer against global warming. We know enough to act now, to put us on a path to slow, and if science permits, stop global warming. However, we lack an American will to agree that climate change is a serious and long-term crisis with potential to affect every part of the globe.

First we must recognize the program, second working out possible solutions, and three to take the necessary steps. President Bush has already cited US dependence on fossil fuels. Independent states and cities are taking action however the US government has made little investment in industries to reduce carbon emissions. The fact is that are still rising in this country. Potential Presidential candidates’, Senator John McCain and Hilary Clinton, have visited the Norwegian Islands on the Arctic Circle to see for themselves the rapid rate of ice melting. We are now at the “tipping point” where reduction of climate change may be not enough on its own.

8,000 years ago- humans’ first impacted this planet with great deforestation. European heat wave used to be 1 in every 500 year event, now there is the potential for this to happen every other year.

Our entire world culture must adapt its ways to survive. First, human population growth must be moderated. Our entire consumption society must shift to one of conservation. We can adapt ourselves as a well rounded society without extremes of poverty, and wealth. Also we can find prosperity when we juggle the shortages of water, accumulation of wastes and the damage to biodiversity to show respect for all things in this world.

In order to survive we must change our attitude of denial. Also required is both a bottom-up as well as top-down approach to “reduce, reuse and recycle”

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