2008 Woodie Awards
Every human is responsible for stopping global warming
By: Kelley Atherton
Issue date: 5/3/07 Section: Opinion/Editorial
The earth's temperature has been steadily rising as a result of this excess of gases. According to the report, 11 of the last 12 years from 1995 to 2006 have been among the 12 hottest years since 1850.
Air and ocean temperatures are increasing as well, contributing to the widespread melting of snow and ice and rising sea levels. In turn this has created a change in weather patterns, including heavier rain, droughts, heat waves and more intense hurricanes - all of which we have experienced in the last several years.
Aside from the extreme temperature fluctuations, there have been powerful waves of hurricanes in the Caribbean, tsunamis, intense thunderstorms, flooding, mud slides and tornadoes in February in Florida. Tornadoes in Florida; think about that for a minute - gee I just don't think that's supposed to be happening
Mother Nature is pissed and is taking her revenge. Our great planet is punishing us for improperly using resources it only meant for us to use in meager quantities, not suck it dry. If there's only a limited amount of something that should send off some warning bells saying, "don't use this all at once." However, that's precisely what we did.
The IPCC's second report titled "Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability" released in April explains if the earth's temperature continues to rise, our planet will experience more extreme weather that could result in devastation.
Fresh water supplies are particularly at risk. Essentially, there could be little to no fresh water in the future as glaciers steadily melt away.
"In the course of this century, water supplies stored in glaciers and snow cover are projected to decline, reducing water availability in regions supplied by meltaway from major mountain ranges, where more than one-sixth of the population currently lives," according to the IPCC.
Furthermore, the climate change is affecting our ecosystem and altering the environment of plants and animals. The IPCC predicts that 20 to 30 percent of plant and animal species are at risk of being extinct if the global temperature continues to rise.
Air and ocean temperatures are increasing as well, contributing to the widespread melting of snow and ice and rising sea levels. In turn this has created a change in weather patterns, including heavier rain, droughts, heat waves and more intense hurricanes - all of which we have experienced in the last several years.
Aside from the extreme temperature fluctuations, there have been powerful waves of hurricanes in the Caribbean, tsunamis, intense thunderstorms, flooding, mud slides and tornadoes in February in Florida. Tornadoes in Florida; think about that for a minute - gee I just don't think that's supposed to be happening
Mother Nature is pissed and is taking her revenge. Our great planet is punishing us for improperly using resources it only meant for us to use in meager quantities, not suck it dry. If there's only a limited amount of something that should send off some warning bells saying, "don't use this all at once." However, that's precisely what we did.
The IPCC's second report titled "Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability" released in April explains if the earth's temperature continues to rise, our planet will experience more extreme weather that could result in devastation.
Fresh water supplies are particularly at risk. Essentially, there could be little to no fresh water in the future as glaciers steadily melt away.
"In the course of this century, water supplies stored in glaciers and snow cover are projected to decline, reducing water availability in regions supplied by meltaway from major mountain ranges, where more than one-sixth of the population currently lives," according to the IPCC.
Furthermore, the climate change is affecting our ecosystem and altering the environment of plants and animals. The IPCC predicts that 20 to 30 percent of plant and animal species are at risk of being extinct if the global temperature continues to rise.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Thomas Schueneman
posted 5/02/07 @ 10:04 PM EST
I agree with the thrust of Kelley's argument and whole-heartedly endorse the idea that global warming and climate change are issues that should be divorced from partisan politics. (Continued…)
christiana
posted 5/14/07 @ 7:09 PM EST
Very well said.
I couldn't agree more.
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