Our earth. Its cause. Global warming...?

Question

Is this something we should be worried about. What can we do, what should we do and what should the governments of big industrial nations such as America be doing about this in your opinion?
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Answer 1

<< Is this something we should be worried about. >>

Yes we should be worried but not to the extent that some sections of the media make out. Global warming is very real, it's effects are evident in many parts of the world. Fortunately in the US there has (so far) been limited physical evidence.

We know that the world is warming up and some basic science tells us that humans are largely to blame for the current rapid warming trend. The effects of the rising temperature are manifested in many ways, some of which are positive, most are negative.

Over a quarter of a billion people have already been directly affected largely through desertification. A recent report indicates that between 100 and 200 million people have been affected by desertification and the numbers are likely to rise by a further 50 million in the next 10 years. There's more in this report (it's a large pdf file) http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/28_06_07unreportdesert.pdf

Many of the effects of global warming creep up on us, it's not the sudden disasters that are depicted in Hollywood movies. Crop failure rates increase year on year, the economical cost steadily increases, sea levels keep slowly rising, the ice caps steadily recede.


<< What can we do >>

There are many things that individuals can do including reducing our use of fossil fuels, reusing and recycling, reducing consumption. This page has some useful energy saving tips and links to other sites with more info - http://profend.com/global-warming/pages/combat.html


<< What should we do >>

We need to do more than we're doing at present. A lot of people are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint and whilst this is helping it's not preventing the effects of global warming, merely slowing them down.

Our modern lifestyle is such that we produce far more greenhouse gases than nature can cope with, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a sustainable level would require changes way beyond our present technological capabilities or a reduction so great that it would be like going back in time some 200 years.

I believe that we need to be looking at ways of actually removing the surplus greenhouse gases from the atmopshere and return them to their natural levels. Many such schemes are being considered.

<< What should the governments of big industrial nations such as America be doing about this? >>

I don't think that the solution lies so much with the governments. After all, every one of us is a contributor to the problem so we should all be a part of the solution. To this end we can reduce our carbon footprint (see link above) and put pressure on businesses and industry to clean up their act and produce more environmentally friendly products and services. This is happening throughout much of the world but not so much in the US. The major oil companies, car manufacturers, power companies etc have all moved towards becoming greener and have invested in new and improved technology and efficiency.

If the problem is left to the government to resolve it will probably come down to the imposition of legislation and taxation, neither of which are going to solve the problem.

Answer 2

climate change has always been a part of earths cycle and some of is due to our location in the galaxy....it takes about 26,000 years for our solar system to orbit around the galaxy and much like our own planet there are different climates in space[radiation levels] at this point in our time we are nearing something the equivalent to the equator of our galaxy and much like our planet it is warmer...if you look into history which we do not have much recorded from so long ago you would find that about every 12,000 or 13,000 years we go through some type of climate change generally recorded as an ice age...with all that said we have not been very good stewards of our living environment and while i am somewhat skeptical of the man made global warming theory there is no doubt that we pollute way to much and consume way to much and do not pay attention to what we discard and where we discard it...as far as what governments could do i can almost guarantee that if it can not be profitable or become a political divisive issue it will not see the light of day what you see today is just that green living has taken on a business aspect and is tool for profit under the guise of saving the planet

Answer 3

Look at the big picture, but focus on yourself. I'm not saying to be selfish, but giving a problem a title that starts with "global" makes it sound so overwhelming that it might discourage you from living the type of life that makes us responsible stewards of our environment.

Bottom line: every one of us through the act of human existence, has a negative impact on the environment. Nature provides for an overabundance of life, so that's not a problem...to an extent. We have to understand that ALL resources are limited. Even renewable resources. And we should live our lives using only what we truly "need".

But..."need"...there's a pickle. Just what does "need" mean? We have billions of people on this planet, and you would be hard pressed to find two descriptions that are exactly the same. Heck, you from today will disagree with you of two years from now. You're not perfect, and you never will be - just keep working on reevaluating your life, your needs, and try to make the right decisions that decrease the negative impact on the environment, the depletion of her resources.

Sometimes it's not just about "right" or "wrong", sometimes, it's just about shifting sentiments gently and gradually to the "best-fit" for all parties involved. In this microwave society, we always want things RIGHT NOW! Know that the best and most permanent changes are the ones that usually happen slowly and over longer periods of time. Sure, that might mean you can't boast about how you "saved the planet", but don't be selfish...find satisfaction in being part of the solution, not in being THE solution.

Answer 4

no one needs to do anything if you were old enough to own a house I would tell you to sign it over to me so I could sell it and by carbon offsets for you, but since your so young and gullible I will just assure you there is not a problem that the earth can not solve without your help.

Answer 5

Reducing pollution is great but, global warming will take care of itself.

Answer 6

Worrying does not help!! Be happy.