Im 18 and scared?

Question

I am an 18 year old girl in univrersity and was wondering how global warming will effect my life. I mean ppl are saying that the worl will end in 2050 others say in 2100, what im asking is after im done u niversity and working approx (35 yrs) will i be able to live a nice retired life like toehr people or will there be hell all over the place.

Answer 1

Well, relax. The world is not going to end.

Since you psted this under global warming, I'm assuming you are scared of what may happen with respect to that.

So--here's what is going on. first: Global warming is real, es--and it is caused mostly (85%) by human activities. And, yes, it is a very serious problem.

What happens from here on out, however, is very much up to us (people all over the world). We can ignore the problem--and if we do that, it is unlikely our civilization will survive the consequences. That does NOT mean the world will end--it does mean our children and grandchildren may have to rebuild from the wreckage.

Or--we can act to save ourseles and our civilization. That won't stop global warming overnight---but it will eventually, and drastically reduce the effects in the meantime. The really good news: if we do, we end up far better off than we are now. We will have to deal with climate changes and ecological disruptions--and some coastal flooding. But not anything we can t handle.

But I said better off--and I meant it. I gave you all the bad stuff--now here's the good news. Think about this: the big problems--oil and coal use--are really old-fashioned and inefficient technologies. The are pretty much the same as when they were introduced backin the 1800s. So--what wil happen is this: we will shift gradually, scrapping all that obsolete stuff and switching to things like solar power and electric cars (and yeas, I know thee are other thing s thatneed to go with those).

But hee's just three examples of how things can get BETTER, rather than wors (I'll stick to the economics, because its easier to explain here--but there's many more potential benefits in store for people as we change things):
>in the next few years, solar power will become cheaper (MUCH cheaper)--and once a system is installed in a home, the electricity is free-just what little money you need to spend to maintain the eqipment. Taht leaves more money for you for other things.
>Electric cars are exxpensive right nw--simply because there is just a small market. But they are not only non-polluting, they are simple and easy to maintain. As the volume of the market grows, the price will drop (called "economics of scale," if you want to look up how that works). Eventually they will be cheaper than gas cars--and electricity will be far cheaper than oil. And eletrics also don't produce the smog tha tgas-driven cars do.

>here's the third--something you can do--today--to start fighting global warming AND make your life a bit better NOW: its not a big deal. Get someof those "compact flourescent bulbs." and start using them They're a bit more expensive (a pack of 6 for about$10)-but last longer and that balences out. Except they use 75-85% less energy--and that will cut your power bill about $5-10/month.

In the US, that translates to 50-75 coal fired powerplants we will be able to scrap in a few years!. A little thing--but it saves you money--andhelps the environment.

A last point--I've tried to show you that there's no need to be scared of the future. Concerned, yes--but not frightened. And--as you get a bit older, you'll see this better--but here's something you can count on: there will always be people around trying to scare you--whether their scare tactics are "there's terrorists everywhere," " the world is going to end," etc. Learn to distinguish between these people-and legitimate public-spirited people who are raising issueas so that problems can be addressed. The legitimate ones don't use fear tactics--don't whine that "its a liberal/conservative conspiracy, etc. They don't ask you to take them on faith--they back up what they say with facts--or if they are expressing an opinion, will say so.

You're in a university-that's te ideal place to learn these lessons. You have a host of professors ready to help you. Learn from them. And whatch them--you'll soon see they are not frightened of the future. Because tthey know they--and anyone else who learns to think and reason and act--are theones who control the future. Not the fear-mongers who try to scare you.

Answer 2

Turn the TV off. The news channels will drive you nuts. They are designed to do that.
Relax on the worries, the world has always been supposed to end next week. Every time the end off the world prophets start getting to you open and read some of this.
http://www.abhota.info/index.htm
Just worry about doing your courses.
If there was anything to be done by you that would fix the worlds problems, somebody would have made a law forcing you to do it already. Until then get yourself a drink of cold water and cool your rockets.

Answer 3

Check out the link, more evidence for global warming as reported by the NY Times.

Answer 4

If the world ended tomorrow it wouldn't be too soon. But for what it's worth I doubt global warming will do as much harm as so commonly predicted. I remember a recent documentary about Chernobyl that revealed that the effects of radioactive fall-out may be much less harmful than previously believed.

Answer 5

i wouldn't get too worried, the people who say global warming is true are right, there's plenty of evidence for it. but it's not so bad that the world is going to end anytime soon. i'm sure if everyone did just a little to help the earth we could make a big difference.

Answer 6

Don't be scared. Empower yourself by becoming more informed, by taking action, and by learning how to live the sustainable life. This may mean volunteering, or contacting your elected representatives, choosing a major that allows you to affect change directly or indirectly, and, as I suggested, delving into a "green" lifestyle that allows you to become part of the solution, rather than part of the problem.

Climate change is a serious problem, no doubt, but it's quite possible this could unify the countries of the world as nothing has before.

Answer 7

well actually many think the world will end in 2012 - these people are the people that noticed the Mayan calendar stopped then.

ok will the world end - we meaning you and everyone else will be the deciding factor - i choose not to get lost in the depression part and chose instead to actively promote change - become a part of change - first by my self - not actively seeking communities will to address these issues.

this is very important to remember we all and individually have an impact based on our spending and living practices - got it - so even if you are one candle burning in the dark - your spot shines.

Answer 8

first of all why does it matter that your an 18 yr old girl, with a guy pic? as if ppl wont answer your ? if your a guy. n-e ways dont worry about global warming, im so sick of hearing about that. if you want real answers read the bible. dont get me wrong im not all into to that but it does say "man will kill himself" not global warming. earth does this kind of stuff. it has all alone. but the scientist wont tell you that. go back in history and check out how hot or cold it was years ago today, or n-e other day.

Answer 9

first of all, there have been doomsday
fears since the year dot. i am not saying
we have not made a mess of the planet;
just that if we get our act together and
quit acting like asses we can clean up the
mess and the planet will survive. bytheway,
all the wars and hatred in the woulds' people
scare me more than global warming. now
that really could annihilate the population.

Answer 10

I remember when I was your age and the big scare was the impending and inevitable nuclear war.

Don't worry. Things are not as bad as some would make it. Just remember, there is more money in scaring people than there is in telling the whole truth. Otherwise, how would churches ever get built.

Do your best with what you know and you will be fine.