INTRODUCTION
Everyone is beginning to notice strange weather patterns and other environmental occurrences that are out of the ordinary, earthquakes, tsunamis, and hurricanes are becoming more and more common, even in places where they are most rare. This can be attributed to Global Warming, a term that spawns a lot of heated debate. Global warming can be simply defined as is the progressive increase of heat in the Earth’s atmosphere due to, primarily, green house gases, which include carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants. These pollutants are majorly being attributed to human beings and their modern society. The effects of global warming can extend far beyond just the damage to the atmosphere. The damage to the changing climates in many ecosystems can change too quickly that native species cannot adapt, this is true of plant, insect, and animal life (Union of Concerned Scientists 1). The loss of biodiversity could do environmental damage that could lead to many negative side effects. The other side of the argument often claims that tales of global warming are just scare-tactics, by hippies and tree huggers; that it does not actually exist. Fortunately, today, the scientific community and government agencies are taking the issues seriously and this will allow for greater and more in depth study can be conducted as to how best to diminish the damage that is being done each and every day.
DISCUSSION
The effects being presented today and the forecasts being arranged by experts, the global warming issue is so much more massive and widespread than most people know or understand. (Botkin, Saxe and et. al 227-228). The temperature is ever-increasing all over the globe. The polar ice caps are melting faster and faster and the sea levels are rising. Changing climates are bringing many large wildfires. More frequent and lengthier heat waves and heavier storms and flooding is being seen. There is, also, serious health side-effects being experienced by people due to greater air pollution and climate change caused allergies. The worst part about the global warming issue is that we, all of us, human beings, are responsible for it. For that reason it is our responsibility to repair the damage done. Unfortunately, there are still naysayers, individuals that do not believe in global warming and offer an opposing theory. The weather changes may simply be a reaction to natural, environmental evolution. This inability for the sides to see eye-to-eye is why what slows the progress of productive, efficient, and effective solutions and repairs to the global warming issues of the modern world (Union of Concerned Scientists 1).
Fortunately, while experts question whether or not the damage already done to the atmosphere can be repaired, there are means to prevent greater damage and change the future for generations to come. There are ten steps that society and the individuals in it can follow in order to effect real change; becoming an advocate for the environment and not a burden upon it.
- Lessen the use of Fossil Fuels: Fossil fuels, like coal and oil, are responsible for the bulk of the air pollution. The extracting, processing, and the use of fossil fuels all create incredible damage to the environment. By embracing alternative energy sources, like solar power and wind turbines for energy one can make a difference (Bellio 1)
- Upgrade Infrastructure: Greater efforts are needed to update and upgrade the architecture of older buildings and implement in new projects the use of greener and more environmentally efficient elements, lessening the need for heating and cooling, for example (Bellio 1).
- Lessen Commutes: Many people commute and live a distance from their daily jobs. When possible either invest in an environmentally friendly automobile, participate in car-pooling opportunities, take advantage of public transit, or move closer to one’s job to limit transportation needs (Bellio 1).
- Limit Excessive Consumption: Buying less unnecessary stuff and creating unnecessary waste can reduce one’s negative impacts on the planet as a whole.
- Be Efficient: Everyone has heard the suggesting “turning of electronics when not using them and shutting off the lights when you leave a room. As cliché as this may be it is absolutely true (Bellio 1).
- Consider Becoming a Vegetarian: This particular option is not going to go over well with everyone; some people are not going to be prepared to make such a dietary change. However, living as a vegetarian there would be a lesser demand for meat and the greenhouse gases involved in the process. The manufacturing of meats is incredibly high (Bellio 1).
- Cease the Cutting of Trees: More than 30 millions of acres of forest are cut down every year. The logging industry commits 1.5 metric tons of carbon to the atmosphere. Limiting the loss of tress, monitoring and managing wooded environments, and the recycling of paper products can all help to reduce the negative impacts being presently experienced (Bellio 1).
- Unplug Stuff: Not unlike turning off lights when one leaves a room, it is also necessary to turn off and unplug unnecessary draws on electricity. Today most people have more than one television on, more than one computer and a household of cell phone chargers that are always on. Stopping this and unplugging what you are not using can have a positive impact on the environment (Bellio 1).
- Population Control: This is another one of those suggested solutions that create greater debate than the topic of global warming. If people can consciously decide to only produce on child, it would have a positive impact, and lessen our demand on the environment. However, this particular suggestion is disturbing to many people, who do not appreciate when the government or its agencies intervene in the personal life and family choices (Bellio 1).
- International Experiments: The global warming issue is not just a continental problem, but a world issue. It is something that affects, all peoples, for better or worse, all over the world. It is necessary that international, coordinated and shared research needs to be undertaken to benefit the globe as a whole (Bellio 1).
CONCLUSION
The future is not written and if we take the warnings offered and make the changes necessary then we can change the environmentally negative future we are headed for now. There are new technologies and innovations on the horizon that will offer greater alternatives and approaches that are beneficial in the long run, more efficient, more productive, and more environmentally friendly all at the same time. Global warming is not just a term, it is a very real event and it is happening right now. We cannot wait to make the needed changes, the consequences are simply too high. This environmental pandemic is not going to reverse itself, we caused these failings, we owe it to this world and our future generations to provide a living and vibrant world. We have the means to make changes, it is up to each of us to make the decision to participate in those changes, acts, and behaviors that can diminish ones individual negative impact, which when multiplied by millions, or billions, can result in effective change and a more positive relationship between human society and the environments we all call home.
WORK CITED
Biello, David. "10 Solution for Climate Change." Scientific American (2007): 1. Web. 12 Dec.
2014. <http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/10-solutions-for-climate-change/>.
Botkin, Daniel B., Henrik Saxe, and et. Al. "Forecasting the Effects of Global Warming on
Biodiversity." Bioscience 57.3 (2007): 227-36. Web. 12 Dec. 2014. <http://bioscience.oxfordjournals.org/content/57/3/227.full.pdf html>.
Union of Concerned Scientists. "Global Warming." UCSB 1 Jan. 2014: 1. Web.
<http://www.ucsusa.org/global_warming>.
