Global Warming
Global Warming
Overview
Is it really happening ?
The evidence
Books:
Is climate change the same as global warming?
Impact on Birds
Climate sources of information
Why is it important to Florida?
What is being done?
What can you do to help?
Commentary
Science is increasingly compelling.
Hansen on immediacy of the problem.
Dangers of abrupt climate changes.
Past thousand years of climate records
Historical overview of the science.
§ Next §
Florida is uniquely vulnerable to storms, coastal erosion, flooding, wind damage, lightening, and sea level changes.
What can Florida's alert citizens do?
A projected rise of ten, thirty and fifty feet for sea level is displayed on this 1989 map of the state from Scientific American
Global Warming is costly because damage or delays from extreme or unpredictable weather events places a burden on insurance providers and commerce alike.
Bill McKibben, a writer for the New Yorker, has long recognized the meaning of global warming and has created a national organization called 350.org to mobilize opposition to the favored status of oil, coal, gas and automotive industries.
The consequences of complacency are real.
We need action now.
Here's where you come in. I need you to help make our leaders pay attention.
National Action
International pressure to take action
Association of Small Island States. AOSIS
§ clean cars -- the need for hybrid, electrical, and non-carbon fueled transportation.
§ clear skies -- a Republican backed attempt to reduce air pollution through modest incentives for efficiency.
§ clean biofuels -- "cellulose" products like ethanol from switch grass and forestry & ag-waste is best.
§ cogeneration -- retrieve waste heat and recover thermal air or water to make more electricity or heat buildings adjacent to thermal waste sources.
§ day lighting -- almost a fifth of all electricity used is to illuminate the darkness in buildings or streets.
§ develop wind, solar, and geothermal energy for electricity and heat
§ efficient motors, HVAC –heating, ventilation, and air conditioning– pumps and generators
2) Economy wide reductions in greenhouse gas [GHG] emissions
Cap & Trade -- means to limit (cap) pollutants and trade permits to emit pollution. This market-based strategy is usually needed to also promote energy efficiency incentives, standards, other measures. Cap and trade schemes have been criticized as "a selling of peoples' inalienable rights" to breathe clean air. The critics charge that principle sources of carbon emissions are so widespread and common in the community that a tax on carbon fuels would be a more fair and less disturbing means of curtailing inefficient use of electricity, or transportation fuels.
3) US has a history of overcoming challenges and using technical means to successfully convert obstacles into opportunities. Our failure to support the Kyoto Protocol leaves us with a huge need to act wisely and swiftly.
• US until 2009 was the largest producer of GHG or heat trapping gases.
• US needs to be a leader in reducing our pollution to set an example.
• So we must reduce our emissions 7% below 1990 levels by 2010
• Inability to overcome strong opposition in the US Senate & House broke in 2009.
• The Kyoto Protocol is a very modest first step revealing our commitment.
• The US currently is increasing its greenhouse gas emissions by over 2% annually.
• Around the world local communities are acting to reduce fuel use and thus their greenhouse gas emissions but neither voluntary actions or small steps affect the overall accumulation of heat trapping gases in the air.
Spencer Weart | Gale Christianson | James Hansen | Contemporary
