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Global warmingGlobal warming is the next big impact that will bring about a change in the weather patterns. By definition, Global Warming is the increase in average temperature thatgradually warms the Earth’s atmosphere. It is a phenomenon, which has been on the rise but in the last century, the increase in the levels have been alarming.The average temperature of the atmosphere has risen by 0.74 - 0.18 °C during the lastcentury. According to the study by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC), it is observed that the increase in global average temperature has been causeddue to an increase in greenhouse gas concentrations. This has led to an unprecedentedwarming of the Earth’s surface.The other phenomena’s responsible for global warming include volcanoes and solar variations. Base on some of the models by the IPCC, the prediction is that the globaltemperature is likely to rise by 1.1 to 6.4 °C between 1990 and 2100. This increase intemperature will cause climatic changes and extreme weather conditions like rising sealevel, change in the amount of precipitation, above average rainfall, melting of polar icecaps and glaciers, storms and hurricanes.On the worse side, it will also affect yield of crops as well as plants and animals leadingto extinction of different species. Global warming will increase the spread of diseases andthere will be droughts and flooding, coral reef bleaching, forest fires etc. Global warmingis no more a myth but a fast approaching reality, which in the long term will bring themuch feared ice age that will wipe out all living organism on Earth.

Three Methods to Reduce the Effects of Global Warming

Over the years, people have become more and more destructive of the environment andnatural resources. In past history, people relied heavily on the land for day to day living,and much of what was used was natural in context. For example, the earliest homes were built by hand using natural lumber that was allowed a period of growth andreplenishment. However, as time went on, more and more time saving devices andinventions were introduced, with many of them having harmful side effects on theenvironment.Though there is absolutely nothing wrong with progress, there can be detrimentalenvironmental effects when people are not careful with natural resources and becomeinconsiderate of the environment. One of the side effects of such carelessness that iscause for much concern lately is global warming. As temperatures rise and shorelinesrecede, this problem can no longer be ignored.Over the past century, the neglect of the environment has resulted in the buildup of excessive carbon dioxide gases in the atmosphere resulting in a rise in averagetemperature by a full degree. If the issue of global warming is continually ignored,

temperatures are apt to rise much more quickly in this century having a debilitatingimpact on the Earth’s delicate ecosystem.However, there are steps that you can take to help curb the effects of global warming onthe environment. One of the simplest things that you can do to reduce the impact of global warming is to make better lifestyle choices each day concerning the environment.Here are three methods that you can implement daily to help reduce the effects of globalwarming:(1)Since the excessive use and consumption of fossil fuels is one of the main culprits inglobal warming, you can choose to rely less on them. This means that you should better choices when it comes to transportation. Walk or cycle if possible for nearby tasks. If youcommute, then form a carpool with your co-workers. And finally, choose the most fuelefficient car possible – you may even consider a hybrid.(2)Another smart method of reducing the effects of global warming on the environment isto make a conscious effort to conserve energy in and around yourEn m?me temps, ledesign exceptionnel du site, les effets graphiques et sonores extraordinaire - tout celavous pr?sente l’impression d’?tre dans un pacific poker r?el. home and office. Use “Energy Star” appliances when possible and turn off electrical items and electronics thatare not in use.(3)A third method of helping to reduce the effects of global warming is to buy and userecycled products whenever you can. You can also recycle and re-purpose items aroundyour home. example, if you have plants or a garden, you can clean and re-purpose plasticsoda bottles as drip irrigation systems.These are only a few of the methods that you can implement to help reduce the effects of global warming. If everyone becomes an advocate for the environment, then the impactthat global warming has on our lives and future generations can be greatly diminished. Besure to do your part by actively searching for ways to protect the environment – everylittle bit helps.

What is the U.S. Doing to Control Global Warming?

The success of the documentary cinema The Inconvenient Truth, starring former VicePresident Al Gore, coupled with major weather related disasters the world over in the lastfew years has once again brought climate change and global warming to the fore front.While United States has long remained the world’s largest contributor of green housegases that lead to global warming, the Bush administration has yet to sign theinternationally heralded Kyoto Protocol. In fact, it has been caught in some blatantcontroversies trying to disprove a body of scientific evidence regarding the matter.Many politicians and journalist have concluded that this has happened not because theydon’t believe climate change is taking place, but rather because of the powerful lobbying

groups mainly from the auto and oil industry that supports them. Cars and fossil fuel use,along with coal based electricity, remains someof the biggest source of carbon emission the world over.With recent hubbub about global warming, and polls showing immense public concernover the issue, President Bush has spoken publicly many times about slowing down theeffects of global warming, mainly by using technology to cut carbon emissions.In his State of the Union address last year, he explicitly endorsed the Hybrid car technology, one that would run not just on gas but also electricity. After the DemocraticParty won control of the House and the Senate, the U.S Government has also steadilyendorsed many pro-environment causes such as the development of alternative energysuch as bio fuels for automobiles, and is actively drafting bills that will require Detroit to produce cars that give better mileage. This April, the Supreme Court voted 5-4, givingthe federal government the authority to regulate vehicle’ carbon emissions under thecountry’s Clean Air Act.While the environment has already become a major Presidential campaign agenda for elections ‘08, true leadership on global warming has so far come most effectively formlocal authorities across the United States. Almost two hundred cities have taken to thecause, designing and implementing their own campaigns to slow down the effects of global warming as much as possible. California’s governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and New York City’s mayor Michael Bloomberg have both take the lead and made fightingglobal warming a primary objective during their time in office.While California plans to plant over 11 million trees in its urban space within the nexttwo decades, New York recently hosted one of the world’s largest summits of the mayorswith a focus on cities and local authorities taking the lead for this cause. Trees are naturalair purifiers, and today there is a serious public effort across towns and cities to buildgreener space.There has also been a massive grassroots campaign to fight global warming fromreligious groups as well as celebrities. And saving the world itself has become afinancially sound decision for investors the world over. Wall Street, too, has taken to thecause, and Goldman Sachs has already invested billions in clean energy.The people of America seem to be increasingly geared up to take responsibility for their part in causing global warming, which will affect countries that were not major contributors of the greenhouse gases the most. And it’s forcing leaders in the Republicanand Democratic Party, as well as the business and scientific community and religiousgroups to do what it takes to neutralize the global warming effect.The causes of global warming are many and effects are far more profound. What we havereally witnessed in the last couple of decades is just the tip of the iceberg.