Readers of this blog know I am concerned about the climate crisis. In the 20th century, the world's average surface temperature rose by approximately 1 degree F. One degree may not sound like much -- really, do you notice the difference between 64 and 65 on your thermostat?
However, climate models now predict that higher concentrations of CO2 in the atmosphere will lead to a possible increase of 3-10 degrees F in the average surface temperature of the Earth.
That will lead to rising sea levels, melting polar ice caps, and more "perfect" storms. These changes have the power to change the nature of the places we care about, break the links in food chains and drive plants, animals, and people from their homes. It may even eradicate species like polar bears. I have said it before, I do not want to be responsible for the loss of polar bears. Do you?
The estimated costs of such "global warming" (a too-nice, comfy phrase for my taste) will have a devastating effect on human lives, especially the poor, but it could also affect your wallet through rising insurance costs and real property loss.
The prudent response to the climate crisis is to take actions to control emissions, adapt to impacts, and encourage scientific, technological, and socioeconomic research into the problem.
It is time to stop global warming by encouraging energy conservation, reducing our dependency upon fossil fuels, and calling for investments in new technologies that will help stem the rising tide
What can you do? Here's one thing: join me and 270,000 others on the "Virtual March," a creative idea started by StopGlobalWarming.org
Categories: climatechange, activism
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