Speaking Greenish: Part thirteen
Is Global Warming (Climate Change) real and what does this have to do with me?
The winter of 2014 is very cold for America, we have not seen a brutal winter like this since 1978/1979. So what is the story with our planet being warmer when this winter is so cold and we hear more and more about a Polar Vortex occurring?
Many factors come into play and one theory states: Melting ice from the North Pole, caused by global warming, will place more cold water into the warm gulf stream and this may actually cause a stall in the gulf stream's warm air and water. Thus causing colder weather.
Confusing? Yes, this is a complicated issue, especially since we do not have all the facts and data. So let us first go over what we do know:
Greenhouse effect, climate change or global warming, use whatever name you wish, but the indisputable data showing the continuing rise of Earth's average temperature is the definition.
Does science have a complete understanding of the causes and effects of global warming? No, but we do know the following facts:
Since the late 1970s most of the warming has been over our oceans. NASA's images of the North Pole from 1980 compared to 2012 show a 50% reduction in the pole's total ice mass. We are reaching almost a two degree increase worldwide since the start of the 1900s and over 75% of this increase in average temperature has occurred between 1980 and 2012. Evidence points more and more each day to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases as the cause.
So as an individual, what does this have to do with me and what can I do about global warming?
Greenhouse gases are from carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Emissions of CO2 come from many sources, and yes, all those fossil fuel combustion engines we use proves humankind is a contributing factor. The car we drive and the way we cut the lawn all play a part. Have you seen my video on a better way to mow lawns? Click Here To Watch
Now the real question is what will be the outcome from Global Warming? Will this spell d-o-o-m for the human race or will everything remain the same as always? We have heard the preaching of doom and gloom from Global Warming on one hand and a relaxed, "this is all normal" attitude, on the other hand. Either way, we do not have enough facts, data, or research to know the definitive answer to that question. Beautiful roses or dead roses as the outcome is an unknown. Therefore, it is important for humankind to play things safe and do as much as we can to maintain a normal average temperature on our green planet called Earth.
The winter of 2014 is very cold for America, we have not seen a brutal winter like this since 1978/1979. So what is the story with our planet being warmer when this winter is so cold and we hear more and more about a Polar Vortex occurring?
Many factors come into play and one theory states: Melting ice from the North Pole, caused by global warming, will place more cold water into the warm gulf stream and this may actually cause a stall in the gulf stream's warm air and water. Thus causing colder weather.
Confusing? Yes, this is a complicated issue, especially since we do not have all the facts and data. So let us first go over what we do know:
Greenhouse effect, climate change or global warming, use whatever name you wish, but the indisputable data showing the continuing rise of Earth's average temperature is the definition.
Does science have a complete understanding of the causes and effects of global warming? No, but we do know the following facts:
Since the late 1970s most of the warming has been over our oceans. NASA's images of the North Pole from 1980 compared to 2012 show a 50% reduction in the pole's total ice mass. We are reaching almost a two degree increase worldwide since the start of the 1900s and over 75% of this increase in average temperature has occurred between 1980 and 2012. Evidence points more and more each day to increased concentrations of greenhouse gases as the cause.
So as an individual, what does this have to do with me and what can I do about global warming?
Greenhouse gases are from carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Emissions of CO2 come from many sources, and yes, all those fossil fuel combustion engines we use proves humankind is a contributing factor. The car we drive and the way we cut the lawn all play a part. Have you seen my video on a better way to mow lawns? Click Here To Watch
Now the real question is what will be the outcome from Global Warming? Will this spell d-o-o-m for the human race or will everything remain the same as always? We have heard the preaching of doom and gloom from Global Warming on one hand and a relaxed, "this is all normal" attitude, on the other hand. Either way, we do not have enough facts, data, or research to know the definitive answer to that question. Beautiful roses or dead roses as the outcome is an unknown. Therefore, it is important for humankind to play things safe and do as much as we can to maintain a normal average temperature on our green planet called Earth.
Bill Lauto, GTG
