Is It Hot In Here Or Is It Me?
The newest report on global warming has been released, and scientists from 113 countries have stated their case that warmer temperatures throughout the planet are, in fact, caused by man-made greenhouse gases.
In other words, as if it's no surprise, we are responsible for global warming.
I'm well aware that there are people out there who still don't believe that. They think it's some "liberal" attempt to weaken the oil industry and empower their friends on the environmentalist front. It's really not worth our time or effort discussing this topic with such people. They'll still argue that Al Gore is the devil as their skin burns off because they forgot to lather up generously in SPF 97.
Ocean levels are rising. The world is getting warmer. Climates are changing. This is going impact our lives in so many ways. It already has.
As a child, and even into my teens, it was not uncommon for me to wear suntan oil in the summertime while at the beach or the pool. Sometimes, usually early in the summer, I might get a bit of sunburn. But usually, my skin turned a golden brown as my hair lightened. Today, I don't go outside for extended periods of time without SPF 15. And if I know I'll be in a place where the sun's rays are stronger, I'll go higher.
Ponds and lakes that were once dark and murky are now bright green with algae. It's so think in places you think you could walk on it. Anyone who understands photosynthesis can figure out why. The result, of course, is that the plants underneath die off from lack of the same necessary sunlight. And the fish in the lakes die from lack of oxygen in the water.
I'm curious how long it's going to take before New York City becomes the Venice of the New World. I have decided to take Jonathan up north to Canada or Alaska in the next few years so he can see a glacier. There is a significant chance his children will only know about glaciers from books. What will happen, I wonder, when dammed-up rivers like the Housatonic and the Connecticut begin to overflow the other way, as water entering the river from the Long Island Sound push past the dams? And don't even get me started on the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies.
These things are going to happen. It's inevitable. No, it's not going to happen tomorrow -- or even next year. But the damage we've caused is done and there really is no turning back.
There are two things we need to do. First, we need to begin to prepare for the inevitable disasters. It's a matter of coming up with alternatives to things we take for granted because many of those things will no longer exist at some point -- perhaps in our lifetime.
Second, we have to stop debating about the envirnment and start taking action.
This isn't about saving the earth. No, the earth is going to be just fine. Warm, perhaps, but fine.
It's about saving ourselves.
In other words, as if it's no surprise, we are responsible for global warming.
I'm well aware that there are people out there who still don't believe that. They think it's some "liberal" attempt to weaken the oil industry and empower their friends on the environmentalist front. It's really not worth our time or effort discussing this topic with such people. They'll still argue that Al Gore is the devil as their skin burns off because they forgot to lather up generously in SPF 97.
Ocean levels are rising. The world is getting warmer. Climates are changing. This is going impact our lives in so many ways. It already has.
As a child, and even into my teens, it was not uncommon for me to wear suntan oil in the summertime while at the beach or the pool. Sometimes, usually early in the summer, I might get a bit of sunburn. But usually, my skin turned a golden brown as my hair lightened. Today, I don't go outside for extended periods of time without SPF 15. And if I know I'll be in a place where the sun's rays are stronger, I'll go higher.
Ponds and lakes that were once dark and murky are now bright green with algae. It's so think in places you think you could walk on it. Anyone who understands photosynthesis can figure out why. The result, of course, is that the plants underneath die off from lack of the same necessary sunlight. And the fish in the lakes die from lack of oxygen in the water.
I'm curious how long it's going to take before New York City becomes the Venice of the New World. I have decided to take Jonathan up north to Canada or Alaska in the next few years so he can see a glacier. There is a significant chance his children will only know about glaciers from books. What will happen, I wonder, when dammed-up rivers like the Housatonic and the Connecticut begin to overflow the other way, as water entering the river from the Long Island Sound push past the dams? And don't even get me started on the snow-capped peaks of the Rockies.
These things are going to happen. It's inevitable. No, it's not going to happen tomorrow -- or even next year. But the damage we've caused is done and there really is no turning back.
There are two things we need to do. First, we need to begin to prepare for the inevitable disasters. It's a matter of coming up with alternatives to things we take for granted because many of those things will no longer exist at some point -- perhaps in our lifetime.
Second, we have to stop debating about the envirnment and start taking action.
This isn't about saving the earth. No, the earth is going to be just fine. Warm, perhaps, but fine.
It's about saving ourselves.
posted by E-Luv at 9:22 AM
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