WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21 - EARTH WEEK CONTINUED

 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21 - EARTH WEEK CONTINUED

GLOBAL WARMING OR CLIMATE CHANGE

Let’s start with a definition:

Although people tend to use these terms interchangeably, global warming is just one aspect of climate change. “Global warming” refers to the rise in global temperatures due mainly to the increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. “Climate change” refers to the increasing changes in the measures of climate over a long period of time – including precipitation, temperature, and wind patterns.

LET’S LOOK AT CLIMATE CHANGE FIRST

And, a news article:

"As economies seek to rebound from COVID, carbon dioxide levels will likely soar, the International Energy Agency says. Consumption of fossil fuels like coal, used for the recovery, will see emissions surge by 1.65 billion tons in what would be the second-biggest annual rise in history. China is expected to account for half of the global demand growth for coal, but use in the U.S. is also rising. President Joe Biden is holding a virtual climate summit later this week with global leaders, with the U.S. expected to unveil its plan for cutting emissions over the next decade."

Over the eons of the earth’s existence, there have been ice ages and warmer periods.  By looking at cores from glaciers and other sources, scientists can tell that (say) 10,000 years ago there was an ice age, and 25,000 years ago was a warmer period.  

SO - EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Scientists have predicted that the long-term effects of climate change will include a decrease in sea ice and an increase in permafrost thawing, an increase in heatwaves and heavy precipitation, and decreased water resources in semi-arid regions.

Okay - don’t panic (yet anyway)

From https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/what-are-long-term-effects-climate-change-1  The United States Geological Survey group:

Below are some of the regional impacts of global change forecast by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change:

-. North America: Decreasing snowpack in the western mountains; 5-20 percent increase in yields of rain-fed agriculture in some regions; increased frequency, intensity, and duration of heatwaves in cities that currently experience them.

-. Latin America: Gradual replacement of tropical forest by savannah in eastern Amazonia; risk of significant biodiversity loss through species extinction in many tropical areas; significant changes in water availability for human consumption, agriculture, and energy generation.

.- Europe: Increased risk of inland flash floods; more frequent coastal flooding and increased erosion from storms and sea-level rise; a glacial retreat in mountainous areas; reduced snow cover and winter tourism; extensive species losses; reductions of crop productivity in southern Europe.

.- Africa: By 2020, between 75 and 250 million people are projected to be exposed to increased water stress; yields from rain-fed agriculture could be reduced by up to 50 percent in some regions by 2020; agricultural production, including access to food, may be severely compromised.

.- Asia: Freshwater availability projected to decrease in Central, South, East, and Southeast Asia by the 2050s; coastal areas will be at risk due to increased flooding; death rate from disease associated with floods and droughts expected to rise in some regions.

**********************

If I understand this analysis, it is just “one of those things that happen on this planet”.  It is part of a cycle.  And, some day, there will be another ice age.  (And, we are talking so far ahead that my great-great-great-great (times 100) grandchildren may not see it).  

Yes - scientists have pointed out that the Antarctic was once a tropical area, that the ice age covered a lot of North America, and the Mississippi River and the bluffs along the Wisconsin side of the river weren’t affected by the ice age.  

********************

NOW - HOW ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING?

Source: https://www.edf.org/climate/why-fighting-climate-change-so-urgent

There are those (including major scientists) that say we (humans) are changing the climate by our pollution into global warming.  We are eating into the protective ozone layers around the planet through our use of fossil fuels   

This link says:

“In just the past few decades:

Rising temperatures have worsened extreme weather events.

Chunks of ice in the Antarctic have broken apart.

Wildfire seasons are months longer.

Coral reefs have been bleached of their colors.

Mosquitoes are expanding their territory, able to spread disease.”

They go on to say:

“It’s mainly us.

We humans are the ones who burn fossil fuels and chop down forests, causing average temperatures to rise worldwide. That global warming trend is increasingly disrupting our climate — the average weather over many years.

Earth has already warmed by about 1 degree Celsius, or 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit, since the 19th century, before the industry started to boom.”

They suggest that WE (humans) are the guilty party.  We are ‘fueling’ (both literally and figuratively) global warming.  STOP burning fossil fuels, use solar energy, use wind energy, work from home.

I can be part of the problem or part of the solution.  

I can be responsive to my energy needs and usages.  I can walk to the grocery store.  I can make my car trips more efficient and effective (maybe one trip per day).  I can take public transportation.  A bus with 40 people on it burning diesel fuel is more efficient than 40 people all driving their own cars!!!.  Whether it is climate change or global warming, the data suggests that something is going on.  It seems like we are throwing away more trash (especially plastics that don’t rot away).  I can be part of the solution (but, I have to make the effort)!!!

I love my grandchildren, I am commanded to love - so, in effect being a better consumer of energy and packaging is good for future generations!!

So, let LOVE WINS

HUGS!!

Karen