Vladimir Prato
Professor Massey Jimenez
Enc 1101
08 November 2012
Global Warming
Global warming is an increasing problem in today’s society. Global warming is the theory, that because of the greenhouse gases, earth is getting warmer. It does not just effect the certain parts that contribute to it, but it affects all of earth. The effects of global warming have already begun to show all over the world. As obvious as global warming may seem to some people, global warming is not accepted by everyone. Which brings a lot of controversy to the issue, mainly whether if it is real or not. Global warming is a real problem with many life threatening effects, more needs to be done to stop it, and more people need to understand exactly how it works so it can be accepted as a serious issue. Only when it is accepted, will we be able to move on to the next steps in ending it.
“ Over the last one hundred years the world has seen a one degree Fahrenheit rise in its average temperature but here(in the eastern artic) and in Alaska the average temperature has climbed four to seven degrees in just 50 years”.(“Global Warming: The signs and the Science“) Global warming is real, and not only is it real, but it also comes with real life threatening effects. The effects of global warming are already being seen in this day and age. Many questions arise about global warming, but the proof does not lie. There have already been many cases of heat waves and global warming was the primary suspect. For instance, there was a case in Chicago, Illinois, in July 1995 where an eight day temperature heat wave reaching around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. “High levels of humidity made the air feel even hotter, creating an almost unbearable and, ultimately, fatal environment.”(“Global Warming”) This heat wave led to a total of 566 deaths. Skepticism, over whether or not this was related to global warming, was made, but some scientists believe that events like these are evidence to global warming. One well known scientist that believes in the reality of global warming is NASA climate scientist James E. Hansen. When asked about changes in the environment due to global warming, Dr. Hansen said “the main thing is just to look at the statistics and see that the change is too large to be natural”.(Gillis pA13) Although this was said some scientists still do not believe there is enough proof to deem that global warming is real. Some evidence is the melting of the polar caps. “In the Antarctica’s, in January 2002 the Larson b ice shelf broke up into small pieces, and an area about the size of Rhode Island melted in less than a month”.(“Global Warming: The signs and the Science”) These ice caps are signaling to us that something is wrong for them to be melting so quickly. There is also melting in the worlds mid-latitude, such as mount Kilimanjaro and the famous Swiss alps. The melting of the ice turns into rising sea levels which according to Bruce E. Johansen are the final “stop” in global warming’s feedback loop, because more than 100 million people worldwide live within one meter of mean sea level. Even worse, is that global warming does not only bring the melting of the ice. “The global warming is not just melting the ice, it is triggering large-scale climate changes of every kind. The seasons have become unsettled and atmospheric highs and lows are migrating to new regions basically changing the way our daily whether works.” (“Global Warming: The signs and the Science“) More intense hurricanes are also a result to global warming. With all these facts towards global warming and evidence of its potential dangers it is time for it to be slowed down. Scientists and people everywhere have to start making a change, and work on fixing this problem.
Not everyone is just talking about global warming and doing nothing about it. There already people who are taking a stand to fight against this worldwide problem. There was a protest against the Keystone XL pipeline that took place from August 20th to September3rd 2011. “Thousands of people, including 350.org co-founder Bill Mckibben and NASA’s Dr. James Hansen protested at the White House, demanding that President Obama reject the tar-sands oil pipeline.” (Matthews) According to the Guardian these protests were “ the largest act of civil disobedience for the climate in US history.” 1,252 peaceful protesters were arrested. Even with that injustice, it did not stop people from continuing their protest. This shows that people can see the crisis of global warming and are willing to make a stand and do something about it. Not only the average citizens were out there, because as Richard Matthews states, “more than 60 religious leaders made their voices heard in front of the White House. Nine Recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, also joined the proteset against the Keystone XL.”(Matthews) Finally after going through all that they got through to President Obama, and he announced “that he would put the future of the planet ahead of Big Oil.”(Matthews) The Keystone XL pipeline project was sent back for review until at least 2013 thanks to Obama, but the real thanks goes to the protestors who made their voice heard. Richard Matthews made a list of other environmental events that occurred in 2011 which were, Bike to Work Week, Global Wind Day, Voices for Clean Air, 24 Hours of Reality, Moving Planet, Campus Sustainability Day, WWF’s Earth Hour, Billion Acts of Green, and Power Shift 2011. These protests work because businesses are slowly adhering to the pleas of the public. “Public pressure has forced companies like Nestle, Unilever, Nestle, Kraft, Burger King, and General Mills to adopt more sustainable business practices.” (Matthews) After hearing about all these environmental protests and how they are working one would think that global warming was in our control. This however is not the case. It is good that there are things being done to stop global warming but much, much more needs to be done. Global warming is up to everyone to stop, because everyone contributes to it in their own way. Just by driving in a car, you are contributing to global warming. Clay Chandler has pin-pointed comments that Bill Clinton made, when he was in presidency, about energy saving light bulbs and it contribution to global warming. “The compact fluorescent generates less of the carbon dioxide that many scientists believe contributes to global warming. And yet, compact fluorescents are used in fewer than 2 percent of all the nation’s residential light fixtures.”(Chandler G1) Clinton questions himself wondering why he has not put energy-efficient light bulbs, in every room in the White House, if they are so good at saving energy. Something so simple as replacing regular light bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs can help slightly reduce global warming so why are people reluctant to do it. Clay Chandler mentions how “complex” the question really is. Energy efficient light bulbs cost more than regular light bulbs upfront, but in the long run more money is saved by using the energy efficient bulbs. Also if buying these energy efficient bulbs reduces impact of global warming why not buy them? The answer is simple. “The whole human defense mechanism is based on immediate threat.”(Chandler G1) ''What people respond to are things that are directly in front of them - things they can see and touch and smell,'' observes Democratic pollster Peter Hart. ''Air pollution you can see. Garbage you can touch. Bad water you can smell. But globalwarming ? It is so . . . abstract.''(Chandler G1) This means that because buying the regular light bulbs does not cost more at that immediate moment, and because global warming will not affect people at that immediate moment, they choose to ignore good sense and instead go with what is human nature. Human nature involves risking humans and nature. This is why global warming needs to be pressed deeper into peoples brains so they could truly understand it and be better able to picture its reality. If they do not understand it they will not accept it.
“The long-anticipated report, to be issued in Paris by scientists, government officials and others from 113 countries, will seek to erase any lingering doubt about the reality of global warming or its primary cause.”(Merzer 1A) For people to understand global warming they must first understand why it is and how it came to be. “Human activities "very likely" play a major role in producing the phenomenon, the 20-page study concludes, according to a copy obtained Thursday night by The Associated Press.”(Merzer 1A) Even with information such as this some people will still need more confirmation. There was a study done to find out the United State of America’s knowledge about global warming, and then to see how quick and easily people could learn about global warming. The study explained global warming in a very informative way.
“First, let’s understand Earth’s “normal” temperature: When Earth absorbs sunlight, which is mostly visible light, it heats up. Like the sun, Earth emits energy––but because it is cooler than the sun, Earth emits lower-energy infrared wavelengths. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (methane, carbon dioxide, etc.) let visible light pass through, but absorb infrared light––causing the atmosphere to heat up. The warmer atmosphere emits more infrared light, which tends to be re-absorbed––perhaps many times––before the energy eventually returns to space. The extra time this energy hangs around has helped keep Earth warm enough to support life as we know it. (In contrast, the moon has no atmosphere, and it is colder than Earth, on average.) Since the industrial age began around the year 1750, atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased by 40% and methane has increased by 150%. Such increases cause extra infrared light absorption, further heating Earth above its typical temperature range (even as energy from the sun stays basically the same). In other words, energy that gets to Earth has an even harder time leaving it, causing Earth’s average temperature to increase–– producing global climate change. ”(Aalst, Thompson, Jacobson, Reimann, pp.2-481 to 2-482)
This vividly explains global warming and how it works. In their study they hypothesized that Americans rarely know how global warming works and what causes it, and their hypothesis was correct. More Americans should be introduced to information like so they can be able to have credible knowledge on global warming and understand it better. Another study was then made to determine if people quickly learn the mechanism of global warming and then in turn accept it more. “Remarkably, students’ Global Warming acceptance also increased dramatically after our brief intervention, as predicted.”(Aalst, Thompson, Jacobson, Reimann, pp.2-481 to 2-482) With better knowledge of global warming, people are more likely to accept its reality.
The seriousness of global warming will depend on humans. It is up to us as a human race to make changes for ourselves and for others. We need to educate ourselves. We need to take a stand for what is right. Instead of waiting for somebody else to do something we need to put the first foot forward. We cannot let our human nature get the best of us. Humans created global warming. It is our Frankenstein, and our creation will destroy us, if we do not destroy it first.
Professor Massey Jimenez
Enc 1101
08 November 2012
Global Warming
Global warming is an increasing problem in today’s society. Global warming is the theory, that because of the greenhouse gases, earth is getting warmer. It does not just effect the certain parts that contribute to it, but it affects all of earth. The effects of global warming have already begun to show all over the world. As obvious as global warming may seem to some people, global warming is not accepted by everyone. Which brings a lot of controversy to the issue, mainly whether if it is real or not. Global warming is a real problem with many life threatening effects, more needs to be done to stop it, and more people need to understand exactly how it works so it can be accepted as a serious issue. Only when it is accepted, will we be able to move on to the next steps in ending it.
“ Over the last one hundred years the world has seen a one degree Fahrenheit rise in its average temperature but here(in the eastern artic) and in Alaska the average temperature has climbed four to seven degrees in just 50 years”.(“Global Warming: The signs and the Science“) Global warming is real, and not only is it real, but it also comes with real life threatening effects. The effects of global warming are already being seen in this day and age. Many questions arise about global warming, but the proof does not lie. There have already been many cases of heat waves and global warming was the primary suspect. For instance, there was a case in Chicago, Illinois, in July 1995 where an eight day temperature heat wave reaching around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. “High levels of humidity made the air feel even hotter, creating an almost unbearable and, ultimately, fatal environment.”(“Global Warming”) This heat wave led to a total of 566 deaths. Skepticism, over whether or not this was related to global warming, was made, but some scientists believe that events like these are evidence to global warming. One well known scientist that believes in the reality of global warming is NASA climate scientist James E. Hansen. When asked about changes in the environment due to global warming, Dr. Hansen said “the main thing is just to look at the statistics and see that the change is too large to be natural”.(Gillis pA13) Although this was said some scientists still do not believe there is enough proof to deem that global warming is real. Some evidence is the melting of the polar caps. “In the Antarctica’s, in January 2002 the Larson b ice shelf broke up into small pieces, and an area about the size of Rhode Island melted in less than a month”.(“Global Warming: The signs and the Science”) These ice caps are signaling to us that something is wrong for them to be melting so quickly. There is also melting in the worlds mid-latitude, such as mount Kilimanjaro and the famous Swiss alps. The melting of the ice turns into rising sea levels which according to Bruce E. Johansen are the final “stop” in global warming’s feedback loop, because more than 100 million people worldwide live within one meter of mean sea level. Even worse, is that global warming does not only bring the melting of the ice. “The global warming is not just melting the ice, it is triggering large-scale climate changes of every kind. The seasons have become unsettled and atmospheric highs and lows are migrating to new regions basically changing the way our daily whether works.” (“Global Warming: The signs and the Science“) More intense hurricanes are also a result to global warming. With all these facts towards global warming and evidence of its potential dangers it is time for it to be slowed down. Scientists and people everywhere have to start making a change, and work on fixing this problem.
Not everyone is just talking about global warming and doing nothing about it. There already people who are taking a stand to fight against this worldwide problem. There was a protest against the Keystone XL pipeline that took place from August 20th to September3rd 2011. “Thousands of people, including 350.org co-founder Bill Mckibben and NASA’s Dr. James Hansen protested at the White House, demanding that President Obama reject the tar-sands oil pipeline.” (Matthews) According to the Guardian these protests were “ the largest act of civil disobedience for the climate in US history.” 1,252 peaceful protesters were arrested. Even with that injustice, it did not stop people from continuing their protest. This shows that people can see the crisis of global warming and are willing to make a stand and do something about it. Not only the average citizens were out there, because as Richard Matthews states, “more than 60 religious leaders made their voices heard in front of the White House. Nine Recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize, including Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama, also joined the proteset against the Keystone XL.”(Matthews) Finally after going through all that they got through to President Obama, and he announced “that he would put the future of the planet ahead of Big Oil.”(Matthews) The Keystone XL pipeline project was sent back for review until at least 2013 thanks to Obama, but the real thanks goes to the protestors who made their voice heard. Richard Matthews made a list of other environmental events that occurred in 2011 which were, Bike to Work Week, Global Wind Day, Voices for Clean Air, 24 Hours of Reality, Moving Planet, Campus Sustainability Day, WWF’s Earth Hour, Billion Acts of Green, and Power Shift 2011. These protests work because businesses are slowly adhering to the pleas of the public. “Public pressure has forced companies like Nestle, Unilever, Nestle, Kraft, Burger King, and General Mills to adopt more sustainable business practices.” (Matthews) After hearing about all these environmental protests and how they are working one would think that global warming was in our control. This however is not the case. It is good that there are things being done to stop global warming but much, much more needs to be done. Global warming is up to everyone to stop, because everyone contributes to it in their own way. Just by driving in a car, you are contributing to global warming. Clay Chandler has pin-pointed comments that Bill Clinton made, when he was in presidency, about energy saving light bulbs and it contribution to global warming. “The compact fluorescent generates less of the carbon dioxide that many scientists believe contributes to global warming. And yet, compact fluorescents are used in fewer than 2 percent of all the nation’s residential light fixtures.”(Chandler G1) Clinton questions himself wondering why he has not put energy-efficient light bulbs, in every room in the White House, if they are so good at saving energy. Something so simple as replacing regular light bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs can help slightly reduce global warming so why are people reluctant to do it. Clay Chandler mentions how “complex” the question really is. Energy efficient light bulbs cost more than regular light bulbs upfront, but in the long run more money is saved by using the energy efficient bulbs. Also if buying these energy efficient bulbs reduces impact of global warming why not buy them? The answer is simple. “The whole human defense mechanism is based on immediate threat.”(Chandler G1) ''What people respond to are things that are directly in front of them - things they can see and touch and smell,'' observes Democratic pollster Peter Hart. ''Air pollution you can see. Garbage you can touch. Bad water you can smell. But globalwarming ? It is so . . . abstract.''(Chandler G1) This means that because buying the regular light bulbs does not cost more at that immediate moment, and because global warming will not affect people at that immediate moment, they choose to ignore good sense and instead go with what is human nature. Human nature involves risking humans and nature. This is why global warming needs to be pressed deeper into peoples brains so they could truly understand it and be better able to picture its reality. If they do not understand it they will not accept it.
“The long-anticipated report, to be issued in Paris by scientists, government officials and others from 113 countries, will seek to erase any lingering doubt about the reality of global warming or its primary cause.”(Merzer 1A) For people to understand global warming they must first understand why it is and how it came to be. “Human activities "very likely" play a major role in producing the phenomenon, the 20-page study concludes, according to a copy obtained Thursday night by The Associated Press.”(Merzer 1A) Even with information such as this some people will still need more confirmation. There was a study done to find out the United State of America’s knowledge about global warming, and then to see how quick and easily people could learn about global warming. The study explained global warming in a very informative way.
“First, let’s understand Earth’s “normal” temperature: When Earth absorbs sunlight, which is mostly visible light, it heats up. Like the sun, Earth emits energy––but because it is cooler than the sun, Earth emits lower-energy infrared wavelengths. Greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (methane, carbon dioxide, etc.) let visible light pass through, but absorb infrared light––causing the atmosphere to heat up. The warmer atmosphere emits more infrared light, which tends to be re-absorbed––perhaps many times––before the energy eventually returns to space. The extra time this energy hangs around has helped keep Earth warm enough to support life as we know it. (In contrast, the moon has no atmosphere, and it is colder than Earth, on average.) Since the industrial age began around the year 1750, atmospheric carbon dioxide has increased by 40% and methane has increased by 150%. Such increases cause extra infrared light absorption, further heating Earth above its typical temperature range (even as energy from the sun stays basically the same). In other words, energy that gets to Earth has an even harder time leaving it, causing Earth’s average temperature to increase–– producing global climate change. ”(Aalst, Thompson, Jacobson, Reimann, pp.2-481 to 2-482)
This vividly explains global warming and how it works. In their study they hypothesized that Americans rarely know how global warming works and what causes it, and their hypothesis was correct. More Americans should be introduced to information like so they can be able to have credible knowledge on global warming and understand it better. Another study was then made to determine if people quickly learn the mechanism of global warming and then in turn accept it more. “Remarkably, students’ Global Warming acceptance also increased dramatically after our brief intervention, as predicted.”(Aalst, Thompson, Jacobson, Reimann, pp.2-481 to 2-482) With better knowledge of global warming, people are more likely to accept its reality.
The seriousness of global warming will depend on humans. It is up to us as a human race to make changes for ourselves and for others. We need to educate ourselves. We need to take a stand for what is right. Instead of waiting for somebody else to do something we need to put the first foot forward. We cannot let our human nature get the best of us. Humans created global warming. It is our Frankenstein, and our creation will destroy us, if we do not destroy it first.