Can anything be done about Global Warming... really?

Question

Hi!
I just saw a documentary about Climate change, one of the many I've watched during the last two years. I feel hopelessly overwhelmed and depressed by that in 50 years, our climate could change so drastically that our beautiful Earth would be destroyed and include millions of climate refugees.

Some people say that GW doesn't exist, but what if? In European countries, steps are actually being taken to prevent it, but what about countries like USA & China, two major contributors to Global warming? Few measures that I know of are taken there to prevent it. So the steps taken in European countries won't really matter in the end anyway, right?

So what can we actually do to prevent CC? It just feels useless to try and prevent it when it seems to make so little difference. I feel so useless, being unable to do ANYTHING to prevent it. Does anyone have a different opinion/ ideas on how to help? I really want to help, but it feels impossible.

Grateful for any answers!
Best wishes, Sophie

Answer 1

Sophie,

I know it seems frightening and unpredictable but remember, those that believe in GW are going to make it look and sound as horrible as they can.

Nobody really knows for certain just what kind of impact we are having on the climate but one thing I can say for sure is that it's better to be safe than sorry.

Even if you don't believe what they say there are things you can do to help cut down on greenhouse gases and save yourself a load of money. So, why not do it!?! Who's going to turn down something that helps them personally?

Start by changing your light bulbs from the old incandescent to those new swirly looking kind. They are more expensive but over the long run you will save allot of money and cut greenhouse gases as well. They last much longer and light much better. You can also only buy electronics and appliances with the energy star logo on them. Also, shut things off that are not in use. Such as TV's, lights, etc... This will also help to save you money and help the environment at the same time. There are many other things you can do just in your little part of the world to help and most benefit you anyway , so you see, believing or not doesn't matter. It's the doing that matters.

At the end of the day it is you who has to look in the mirror and wonder if you are doing the right thing.

Answer 2

The United States has been more successful at reducing Carbon Intensity per Capita, and Carbon Emissions overall, than any European Country that signed the Kyoto Protocols.

It's a little known, and not well publicized embarrassment to Europe that they are ALL missing their "carbon" targets. They are, however, waisting millions of dollars on "Carbon Credits" and getting nothing in return. Of course, the important thing is that they LOOK like their doing something.

Meanwhile, the United States, while LOOKING like it's doing nothing, has managed to cut Carbon Output per Person more than any country in Europe. So please, stop slamming the "US" as doing "nothing." It isn't.

Meanwhile, there's no evidence that Global Warming is currently happening. If you look at the revised temperature estimates for the contiguous 48 states, you will find that 1998 was NOT the hottest year on record, and that 2006 dropped from 2nd to 4th. There was a "Y2K" error in the software that was being used to crunch the numbers. Four of the ten hottest years in the last 100 occurred in the 1930s, with only three in the last 10 years. Just how this affects "Global" estimates is not yet clear, although Climate Audit is working on it, I'm sure.

Greenland is experiencing Glacier Growth and Cooling, according to the latest studies, so you don't need to worry about that pesky ice-sheet going anywhere any time soon either!

Personally, I'm for all those who are trying to get people to stop producing so much CO2 to lead the way. Please, if you want to regulate CO2 production - STOP BREATHING!

Answer 3

Well, technically we can't do anything about Global Warming or Climate Change. It's gonna happen ayway.

That's how the Ice Ages happened.

However, what is happening currently, is humanity's fault. We, due to our inflated self-deitification, have pumped all sorts of pollutants into the atmosphere, which will allow the UV light from the sun in, but prevent the infra-red leaving. This heats the planet up.

We can't do anything about climate change, except affect its speed.
The best way is simply to use public transport, or at least share a car with work/schoolmates.
Or to recycle.

Of course, the way America: "Global Warming, there's no such thing" and the currently developing countries like India and China: "Why can't we develop like you?" are acting, I doubt anything we can do will have any affect.

Although, that's not gonna stop me trying! :D

Answer 4

The simple answer is NO. Global Warming is a periodic natural event that humans CAN'T stop - eventually those who think they can will wise up to this, but in the meantime they'll be very happy to take our money for products and taxes that ultimately won't do any good.

Yes, in all probability humans ARE indeed contributing to global warming with their activities, however we did NOT cause GW, nor do we have the power to STOP it.

Above all else - above airplanes, burning fossil fuels, etc, etc, the absolute main priority for anyone who is seeking to lessen the possible contributing factors of humankind to GW is to PRESERVE THE RAINFORESTS and to replant the deforested areas, because this will have the GREATEST impact on helping the Earth's global ecosystem, weather, and climate become balanced.

Plus of course for the good of our health, environment, and future we do NEED to find clean sustainable renewable forms or energy esp. for transport.

But as for the causes and cures for GW - humans are not the cause and cannot stop it - to imagine we can is like imagining we can stop the Earth turning, or the sun rising; it's impossible. The best we can do is ADAPT.

Answer 5

Hi....
I am not really convinced about Global Warming to be honest....

If the science is correct many years before the humans were on the planet the climate changed every few millions or thousands years..that means is not the human damaging, is just the normal evolution of the nature.
Some scientists actually said that we are in the inter-glacier period..

I won't be surprised if that is another way to rip off the people and mass control from the governments...

Answer 6

You've just been sucked into the propaganda hype machine. Sure GW is happening but humans only contribute a small amount of those gases responsible. Even if China and the USA stopped all emissions tomorrow, GW would still continue. It's a natural cycle that the earth has been going through for millions of years.

It still remains of utmost importance that everyone has a role to play in preserving the planet for future generations to enjoy. Things like recycling, solar and wind power, using your bike, saving woodlands and rain forests are all good ways to help a planet, that's got alot of change coming, to deal with the disruption. It's also good for you.

There will be less habitable land in the future more drought and more flooding. Perhaps you should by a boat to rescue, and bring aid to, stranded victims of flooding.

Don't worry. Irronicly one of the biggest environment upsetters has an excellent catchphrase. "Every little helps"

Answer 7

Global warming is a trend that HAS been proved.
The cause,however,is still up for debate.Historical evidence (core samples from ancient trees,ice samples from Antarctica,historical documents of crop viabilility) suggests that global warming may be a natural phenomenon.We did,after all,have an ice age.It stands to reason that an ice age would be followed by a warming period.I would call these variations "Mega-seasons".Any good geologist,scientist,or historian would tell you that this is a normal part of the natural cycle that our planet endures through the eons.
If global warming is indeed a product of mankind then why not address the main problem? WE HAVE TOO MANY PEOPLE ON THIS PLANET!
That's right! I said it! If you're gonna keep having sex then WEAR A RUBBER , PEOPLE! Quit making babies! This planet is too small for us to be spreading like cockroaches!
Of all the global warming arguments and documentaries I've watched (Yes! Even I,an anti-global-warming-theorist) NONE of them have addressed the fact that we are reproducing at an unsupportable rate! Quit having multiple babies people!
One is enough!
I hope my message gives you something to think about.

Answer 8

Honestly, I don't understand why people say global warming doesn't exist. All you need to do is look at the polar ice caps and something is wrong. The only argument they have is that it might be Earth itself changing, not us changing it. It may just speed the process up.

Other than that, there are other countries that are taking huge steps to slow down global warming. Tokyo pressures drivers to turn off their engines at stop lights and even New York City has turned some of its public transportation vehicles into green- friendly cars. With the upcoming Olympic games next year in China, Chinese officials are working to "ban" unnecessary cars from the road to make a better impression during the games. I mean, as people, it's up to us to do something. Many believe that U.S officials deny any global warming activities because many support the oil industry and acknowledging it will destroy their power in the market.

You can do many things in your part to slow it down. Examples: change your regular bulbs into flourescent, turn off air conditioners and open the window, buy hybrid, bio-fueled cars, etc. Check Yahoo!'s "Green" section for tips which I studied so far.

Answer 9

Hi Sophie,

That's a long question and I'll try to address each point you raised, it will probably end up a long answer but I hope it helps. Good to see you have so many answers, I hope you can sort the wheat from the chaff.


► I feel hopelessly overwhelmed and depressed...

Understandable, some documentaries tend to over dramatise the effects of climate change and instead of presenting an accurate prediction for the future often focus on worst-case scenarios.

It's important to keep global warming and climate change in perspective and the only way you can really do this is to ignore the media and get your info from reliable first hand sources - the scientists and others with first hand knowledge of climate change.

As a climatologist, I'm involved with the study of CC and GW so it's a subject I know something, with hand on heart I can say that the majority of documentaries do not accurately reflect what the scientists are actually saying; a few do, most don't. If the programme you just watched gave the impression that in 50 years Earth could be destroyed then I'm afraid it's one of the many inaccurate ones.

Yes we are causing lots of damage and storing up problems for the future but not on the scale depicted. Climate change is already changing the world and will continue to do so, these changes are gradual, there are no doomsday scenarios.

You may feel overwhelmed but there are many steps you can take to help reduce the effects of global warming and protect the environment. Here's a useful guide from Time Magazine - http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/environment

If we all do a little bit to help it adds up to a significant change for the better. Play your part even if it's a small one.

There is light at the end of the tunnel, scientists are working on schemes to reduce the effects of global warming but they need time, there are no quick fixes with this one.


► Some people say that GW doesn't exist...

Yes they do but there aren't that many and you'll be pleased to know that every government and major organisation in the world now acknowledges climate change. Today's climate change skeptic is much more likely to be an individual with no backing or scientific evidence.

Only one major scientific organisation still refutes global warming and not surprisingly that's the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Without wishing to be disrespectful to the climate change skeptics, all the important players are now singing from the same song sheet.


► In European countries...

Europe is the only continent so far to have achieved a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, some countries having done better than others. Many fear that reducing greenhouse gas emissions will have financial or economical impacts, the European model shows this isn't the case - whilst the US economy has been struggling the European one has been booming thanks largely to advances and new technologies introduced as part of the drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (these products and services are being exported worldwide).


► What about countries like USA & China

The USA has the ability to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by copying the Europeans, Japanese etc. President Bush has deferred making any commitment to emissions reduction preferring instead to defer action. Unfortunately this has seen him standing in isolation amongst many world leaders who are growing increasingly frustrated at his lack of commitment.

China and India are the two big concerns for the future. Their emissions are increasing rapidly, largely caused by their expanding economies. The economic success largely being driven by the Western World's demand for cheap imported goods - we've exported much of our emissions elsewhere.

Both have environmental and climate change policies but they lack substance. I doubt they will be effective. Just as we have stringent rules in place that force these countries to produce goods that comply with health and safety rules perhaps we could impose similar rules on imports to ensure they meet required environmental considerations.


► Steps taken in European countries won't really matter

Anything that anyone does whether as an individual, organisation or country that reduces the effects of global warming has to be a good thing.

I mentioned earlier that scientists need time to come up with solutions to global warming, any reduction in emissions buys more time and this could be enough to pull us back from the brink.

There is a point in time known as the 'tipping point', go beyond this and the damage to the planet becomes irreparable. The problem is that we don't know where the tipping point is, most scientists suggest 20 to 30 years, it may be more, it may be less.


► So what can we actually do to prevent CC?

Follow the links in the Time Magazine article, that has some good suggestions. Here's a webpage adapted from a report I wrote, it has further tips on combating climate change, there's also lots of links to other sites - http://profend.com/global-warming/pages/combat.html


► Final word...

Try not to get too despondent, there are things that you can do and know that each step you take is helping the planet.

I've been involved with climate change for quite some time and know the ins and outs and what's going on in the background, I'm hopefully optimistic about the future, I hope you can be too.

Answer 10

The climate is going to warm on its own with or without human impacts. This is normal. However, what is the problem is humans impacting and SPEEDING GW is such a degree that animal and plant species, etc are in danger of going extinct. Water shortages, ocean levels rising are also a spinoff problem of GW due to humans accelerating GW rates.

Even if europes countries took steps to reduce emissions that would help. But even hydrogen powered cars which people seem to be banking on reducing emissions actually do produce greenhouse gases, due to the production method of separating hydrogen from water. The fact is that humans will never be carbon neutral. Its impossible. But we can reduce our emissions.

Buy flourescent lightbulbs, smaller cars, hybrid cars, geothermal heating systems, solar panels for your house, wlak to work, move closer to work, but 4 stroke lawnmowers/weedeaters. follow water restrictions. Its pretty straighforward. Just anythings that takes engergy to produce, dont use or use as little as possible.

This should have answered your question I hope!