Do you really believe Global Warming is taking place?

Through the blog you can see what global warming is, the effects it has and information on changes caused by global warming. After looking through the blog do you thinks these facts prove that global warming is taking place? Or is it going to in the future? or not at all?

Is it Happening?

Yes. Earth is already showing many signs of worldwide climate change.

• Average temperatures have climbed 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 degree Celsius) around the world since 1880, much of this in recent decades, according to NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies. 

• The rate of warming is increasing. The 20th century's last two decades were the hottest in 400 years and possibly the warmest for several millennia, according to a number of climate studies. And the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that 11 of the past 12 years are among the dozen warmest since 1850. 

• The Arctic is feeling the effects the most. Average temperatures in Alaska, western Canada, and eastern Russia have risen at twice the global average, according to the multinational Arctic Climate Impact Assessment report compiled between 2000 and 2004. 

• Arctic ice is rapidly disappearing, and the region may have its first completely ice free summer by 2040 or earlier.polar bearss are already suffering from the sea-ice loss. 

• Glaciers and mountain snows are rapidly melting—for example, Montana's national glacier park now has only 27 glaciers, versus 150 in 1910. In the Northern Hemisphere, thaws also come a week earlier in spring and freezes begin a week later.

• An upsurge in the amount of extreme weather events, such as wildfires, heatwaves and strong tropical storms is also attributed in part to climate change by some experts.

Will Green Power doom the Golden Eagle?

In an article from the UK Mail Online is a  reminder of the inexorable law of unintended consequences.  In California’s attempt to switch to green energy has put the sates Golden Eagle in risk.

Scores of the protected birds have been dying each year after colliding with the blades of about 5,000 wind turbines. Now the drive for renewable power sources, such as wind and the sun, being promoted by President Obama and state Governor Jerry Brown has raised fears that the number of newborn golden eagles may not be able to keep pace with the number of turbine fatalities.The death count along the ridgelines of the Bay Area’s Altamount Pass Wind Resource Area has averaged 67 a year for three decades.The 200ft high turbines, which have been operating since the 1980s, lie in the heart of the grassy canyons that are home to one of the highest densities of nesting golden eagles in the US.‘It would take 167 pairs of local nesting golden eagles to produce enough young to compensate for their mortality rate related to wind energy production,’ field biologist Doug Bell, manager of East Bay Regional Park District’s wildlife programme, told the Los Angeles Times. ‘We only have 60 pairs,’ he added.

Here’s a photo of one of these rare beauties (also from the article):

NEWS!

Staying informed about global warming is important. When staying updated you can learn what new and also learns new ways to help make the environment a healthier place to live.

Here are some sites that offer updated news:
http://www.newscientist.com/section/environment

http://globalwarmingnews.wordpress.com/

http://www.livescience.com/topics/global-warming/

Facts

Every single day, 70 million tons of carbon dioxide  are released into our world’s atmosphere. That’s 1.4 billion pounds.

The warmest years on record have been in the past 10 out of 12 years. Since record-keeping began in 1880, the planet’s 10 hottest years were all in your lifetime, between 1997 and 2008.

008 saw the second-lowest summer Arctic sea ice ever recorded since satellites began keeping track in 1979, at 1.74 million square miles.

82% of glaciers have disappeared in Glacier National Park, Montana. Today this beautiful park has only 27 glaciers, compared with 150 in 1910.

20 million tons of ice per day are lost

Natural Causes

Natural Causes:   A Natural cause that nature may have created for Global Warming is methane gas. The greenhouse gas is released from tundras and wetlands. What the green house gas can do is slowly erode the protection shield around the earth that blocks out UV rays. Allowing more and more rays to come through will cause an   increase in temperature.

Global Warming in your area

Different areas throughout the world have different climates. Your area could be very unique. Through all this talk about Global Warming it basically comes down to heat, and how temperatures are rising. The over all over of collected data shows a heat rise. But in your area it may not seem like that maybe it seems colder. How is the weather in your area, do you believe global warming is taking place?

Opinions....

What is you opinion on Global Warming, and What can be done?

Going GREEN

As Global Warming becomes more and more of a risk factor to the Earth people become concerned and want to help. Helping the environment is so important. Think about it the what we do effects on what we are going to breath, eat, drink, and live.

Helping the Environment:
Its very good to get everyone involved in helping out the environment. Here are a few pointers as to how you can help.
       Saving Energy is very important. 
                      - Try turning off any unecessary lights around the house.
                      - Unplug any items that are not in use.  
                      - During the summer turn the a/c off and open the windows and let the air from outside in.

      Compost! 
                     - Recycling your used yard and garden waste can cut down on the cost of energy used at the dumps.
                    - Approx. 18%! of garbage from one family comes from yard and garden wastes.

        Plant

                   - Try planting new trees and native plants in your yard. 

            Transportation 
                  - Before going somewhere rethink the distance of your location. Is it within walking distance? or can you ride your bike?
                 - Also if going somewhere with a group of people consider car pooling. 

Getting Involved Locally:
Helping your community benefits both the environment and yourself. You are helping to make your area a better and healthier place to live.

You may want to visit this site to find information about the environment in your community.
http://www.epa.gov/epahome/community.htm

This site gives different projects to get involved and promotes awareness of going green.
http://www.togethergreen.org/

Causes

Man Made Causes:
Man made causes are the more serious ones. WE were the ones who had created this to happen. The most commonly known cause is pollution. Pollution comes in so many different ways, and forms. The burning of fossil fuels is one of the biggest and most effective known. These fuels come the release of gases through fire, gasoline, and factory smoke.

Population also lays a big role into Global Warming. The more people the more food, and more transportation right? If there is more people there is going to be more pollution created and more greenhouse gases created.

What Global Warming is .....

Over the years many people have made chaos out of Global Warming, when it can simply be defined as a temperature near the earth's core over time. Although this temperature may have many effect on the World's atmosphere.

Signs:
Global Warming has become one of the major issues as time goes on, along with some signs of Global Warming, which are:
         - Heat Waves
         - Ocean warming, seal level rising and coastal flooding 
         - Glaciers melting
         - Arctic and Antarctic warming 






Effects:
When or if Global Warming does take place it will have its effects on the environment. Seeing as how warmer weather will take place, it will cause more hurricanes to occur. However in land more where there is less water may experience droughts and heat waves. The increase in warmer weather will also cause chaos for the environment in the arctic. cold weathered animals will be at risk of endangerment, and melting ice caps will cause a rise in sea levels.