Energy The American Way of LifeEnergy The American Way of LifeBy Karen MorrisBy Karen Morris

Some people say:Some people say:

That global warming is That global warming is a good thing for mother a good thing for mother earth. With warmer earth. With warmer weather there would be weather there would be less harsh winters. The less harsh winters. The harvest would be harvest would be longer. Colder climates longer. Colder climates will use less heat which will use less heat which would save on gas and would save on gas and electricity.electricity.

But this tread has a ugly sideBut this tread has a ugly side

It will create more bugs that It will create more bugs that carry diseases, increase in carry diseases, increase in droughts, water shortages, droughts, water shortages, flooding in some regions, flooding in some regions, health issues and the Green health issues and the Green House effect. Impact of global House effect. Impact of global warming in the United States warming in the United States and the measures that need and the measures that need to be taken to reverse this to be taken to reverse this trend is a slow process that trend is a slow process that we need to take seriously. we need to take seriously.

US heat waves normally last 2 or 3 days.US heat waves normally last 2 or 3 days. In the last 50 years it has tripledIn the last 50 years it has tripled Of Weather related deaths heat waves are Of Weather related deaths heat waves are

the greatest. the greatest. People die of cardio arrest, respiratory People die of cardio arrest, respiratory

arrest and stroke.arrest and stroke. In 1995 a tragic heat wave in Chicago In 1995 a tragic heat wave in Chicago

Illinois 7 lives were claim when Illinois 7 lives were claim when temperatures reached 106*, with in a week temperatures reached 106*, with in a week or two 800 more die of serious or two 800 more die of serious complication cause by the heat wave.complication cause by the heat wave.

In 2003 Europe Heat wave claimedIn 2003 Europe Heat wave claimed

14,802 die in France 14,802 die in France 7,000 in Germany7,000 in Germany 4,230 in Spain4,230 in Spain Over 4,175 in ItalyOver 4,175 in Italy

This is a rare event but This is a rare event but evident. Heat wave deaths evident. Heat wave deaths are predicted to double by are predicted to double by 2020 if global warming is 2020 if global warming is not curbed. not curbed.

The Green House EffectThe Green House Effect works when the sun comes through the glass of the green house. Glass works when the sun comes through the glass of the green house. Glass is transparent, therefore the plants and soil absorb some of the heat, but the heat that is trap can not is transparent, therefore the plants and soil absorb some of the heat, but the heat that is trap can not escape. This causes the temperatures to rise inside. The absorption of the light turns the sun rays into escape. This causes the temperatures to rise inside. The absorption of the light turns the sun rays into energy and the energy becomes heat. If you open the glass windows the heat can escape an the green energy and the energy becomes heat. If you open the glass windows the heat can escape an the green house would become cooler inside. house would become cooler inside.

The same thing happens with our atmosphere. Our atmosphere is transparent, which allows the visual light from the sun rays to The same thing happens with our atmosphere. Our atmosphere is transparent, which allows the visual light from the sun rays to enter the atmosphere. The heat is absorbed by the surface of the earth. The earth is then heated up, instead of the heat enter the atmosphere. The heat is absorbed by the surface of the earth. The earth is then heated up, instead of the heat escaping into space, it is trap by the ozone layer The green house gases such as water vapors and carbon dioxide are trapped escaping into space, it is trap by the ozone layer The green house gases such as water vapors and carbon dioxide are trapped in between when it leaves the earth surface. This is call the blanket effect. We are putting a blanket over the earth that keeps in between when it leaves the earth surface. This is call the blanket effect. We are putting a blanket over the earth that keeps the earth insulated, the same way you would put a blanket over yourself at night to say warm. the earth insulated, the same way you would put a blanket over yourself at night to say warm.

The concern is that mankind is changing The concern is that mankind is changing the green house effect.the green house effect.

With the increase of With the increase of industries we have industries we have increased the amount of increased the amount of emission of carbon dioxide emission of carbon dioxide that are release into the that are release into the atmosphere by adding atmosphere by adding coal, water and gases to coal, water and gases to the earth atmosphere. We the earth atmosphere. We are just adding more and are just adding more and more blankets over the more blankets over the earth. This is making the earth. This is making the earth warmer than it has earth warmer than it has been in millions of years. been in millions of years.

How did this happen?How did this happen?-With more cars on the road. -Dependence on gasoline. -With more cars on the road. -Dependence on gasoline.

–The use of electricity.– All power was produced by global warming. –The use of electricity.– All power was produced by global warming.

Extreme Climate EventsExtreme Climate Events

Extreme climate events like storms, heat waves and blizzards. Extreme climate events like storms, heat waves and blizzards. More extreme rain in areas that are already wet will result in flooding. More extreme rain in areas that are already wet will result in flooding. In areas that are already dry, they will have increase in drought and In areas that are already dry, they will have increase in drought and

heat waves and water shortages. heat waves and water shortages. Places with moderate rain will decrease in rainfall. Places with moderate rain will decrease in rainfall.

Our Water SupplyOur Water Supply

Our society depends on water supply, when we want it and how we Our society depends on water supply, when we want it and how we want. This will change as the effect of our snow packs decrease and want. This will change as the effect of our snow packs decrease and are limited to the amount of water we can store. In the western states are limited to the amount of water we can store. In the western states 75% of the water supply comes from snow packs. States that rely on 75% of the water supply comes from snow packs. States that rely on snow packs for water, provides our nations’ fresh fruit. The warmer the snow packs for water, provides our nations’ fresh fruit. The warmer the climate the less snow we will have. climate the less snow we will have.

No water, No fruits , No vegetables, No farmersNo water, No fruits , No vegetables, No farmers

– Since 1950, spring snow packs has declined as much as 60%Since 1950, spring snow packs has declined as much as 60%– Alaska climate has change to warmer weather by 5%Alaska climate has change to warmer weather by 5%

What else could change?What else could change?

In San Diego alone it is proof In San Diego alone it is proof with the firestorm of 2003, which with the firestorm of 2003, which took 16 lives and destroyed took 16 lives and destroyed 2,820 homes and buildings. 2,820 homes and buildings.

Then the 2007, fires that took 9 Then the 2007, fires that took 9 lives and 1,500 homes and lives and 1,500 homes and buildings. buildings.

Today our county is faced with Today our county is faced with water rationing with strict water water rationing with strict water uses. With less rain this will uses. With less rain this will increase the number of dead increase the number of dead trees and vegetations, therefore, trees and vegetations, therefore, a higher chance of forest fires. a higher chance of forest fires.

Animals are faced with extinctionAnimals are faced with extinction

Animals that are Animals that are adapted to colder adapted to colder climate will be forced climate will be forced to move or face to move or face extinction. ¼ of all extinction. ¼ of all plant and animal plant and animal species could face species could face extinction by the end of extinction by the end of the century due to the century due to global warming. global warming.

Bugs that do not do Bugs that do not do well in cold climates well in cold climates will do well in warm will do well in warm climate which will climate which will increase the spread of increase the spread of diseases that they diseases that they carry. carry.

In 1999, the West Nile Virus was first detected In 1999, the West Nile Virus was first detected in New York City. It has now spread to 48 in New York City. It has now spread to 48 states in the US. Public health and safety is at states in the US. Public health and safety is at risk, the cost to change is expensive, if we risk, the cost to change is expensive, if we don’t do anything now, this will transfer the don’t do anything now, this will transfer the cost to our children and our children’s, cost to our children and our children’s, children. Which by then will be even more children. Which by then will be even more expensive and more damage to the earth expensive and more damage to the earth atmosphere will be at risk. atmosphere will be at risk.

More than 70% of the earth’s More than 70% of the earth’s surface is covered by water. surface is covered by water. Since 1970, the average Since 1970, the average numbers of category 4 and 5 numbers of category 4 and 5 hurricanes per year has nearly hurricanes per year has nearly double. Hurricanes are one of double. Hurricanes are one of the most destructive natural the most destructive natural catastrophes that can happen. catastrophes that can happen. Hurricanes coverts heat and Hurricanes coverts heat and energy into wind energy. The energy into wind energy. The heat comes from the ocean as it heat comes from the ocean as it warms the waters. The average warms the waters. The average hurricane can carry 2 trillion hurricane can carry 2 trillion watts of power, that’s enough to watts of power, that’s enough to

light 20 billion light bulbs.light 20 billion light bulbs.

If you can recall the devastating cat of Hurricane If you can recall the devastating cat of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans on August 29 2005, this is Katrina in New Orleans on August 29 2005, this is

proof what global warming is doing to our proof what global warming is doing to our environment. environment.

The Future Is In Our ControlThe Future Is In Our Control

The US use more energy than any country in the world. Energy is the The US use more energy than any country in the world. Energy is the American way of life and we need to cut it out. We need to cut our American way of life and we need to cut it out. We need to cut our emission by 80%. The exhaust from our tail pipes stays in the emission by 80%. The exhaust from our tail pipes stays in the atmosphere for about 100 years. Every year cars and trucks admits 1.5 atmosphere for about 100 years. Every year cars and trucks admits 1.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide pollutes into the US air. That is more than billion tons of carbon dioxide pollutes into the US air. That is more than all countries combine from source such as, electricity, cars and all countries combine from source such as, electricity, cars and industries. If we switched to hybrids we can cut that to half. Solar and industries. If we switched to hybrids we can cut that to half. Solar and wind power currently produce about 2% of our electricity nationwide, wind power currently produce about 2% of our electricity nationwide, and about 90% still comes from polluting sources like coal and nuclear and about 90% still comes from polluting sources like coal and nuclear power. Coal burning plants are the nation’s largest source of carbon power. Coal burning plants are the nation’s largest source of carbon dioxide, the heat trapping pollutants contributes to global warming. dioxide, the heat trapping pollutants contributes to global warming. These pollutants also increase asthma attacks and worsens the These pollutants also increase asthma attacks and worsens the environmental problems like; acid rain, haze, smog and other air and environmental problems like; acid rain, haze, smog and other air and

water pollution.water pollution.

Where do you beingWhere do you being

Instead of getting bigger and bigger, we Instead of getting bigger and bigger, we need to think smaller. need to think smaller.

When you buy a refrigerator look at the When you buy a refrigerator look at the label. Does it read you will save $20.00 a label. Does it read you will save $20.00 a month on your electric bill?month on your electric bill?

Do you turn the lights out when you leave Do you turn the lights out when you leave the room?the room?

Do you combine your driving errands into Do you combine your driving errands into one trip?one trip?

There are 180 plus cities in the Us that are There are 180 plus cities in the Us that are committed to reducing the green house committed to reducing the green house gases In 1993 the people of Portland gases In 1993 the people of Portland Oregon took on a climate challenge and Oregon took on a climate challenge and reduce carbon emission by 13% and reduce carbon emission by 13% and increase their work force by 16%.increase their work force by 16%.

There are many ways we can reduce the There are many ways we can reduce the green house gases. green house gases.

Here are some easy things you can do the Here are some easy things you can do the help:help:

There are many ways we can reduce the green house gases, here are some easy things you can do

to help:

1. Plant a tree in your yard or start a garden. Plants and trees help clean the air.

2. Simply stop using pesticides on your lawn. Pesticides contribute to the pollution of the Earth, poisons our water supply, endanger human health and sicken wildlife.

3. Support a local farmer. Farmers Markets are a great way to support local farmers. You will get some of the freshest, locally grown food available

4. Buy organic. Look for and ask for organic produce wherever you buy your groceries, Or even better, shop at your local health food stores which carries only organic produce. Buying organic, reduces pesticide exposure to the land.

5. Buy energy-saving, compact-fluorescent lights bulbs and other energy efficient products. When your next bulb goes out, replace it with a compact fluorescent light bulb. They last 10 times as long with ¼ of energy, saving you $30 to $40 bucks on your electric bill.

6. Recycle, Recycle, Recycle, reduce

reuse, recycle still works very will today.

7. Shop Green. Be a consumer that uses your dollars to support companies and products that are better for the Earth.

8. Join or make a donation to any organization that supports the environment. There are numerous worthy organizations that work hard for the Earth.

9. Try eating meatless meals at least one day a week. The livestock sector accounts for nearly 18 percent of greenhouse gas emission. If has been estimated that a 20 percent reduction in meat consumption would save as much energy as if everyone drove a hybrid vehicle instead of a standard sedan.

10. Junk Mail Reduction If you are tired of coming home to a mailbox stuffed with unwanted flyers, catalogs, credit card offers and coupons? Simply send a postcard to the addresses and request to have your name removed from their mailing list. Fact: It takes 17 trees to make one ton of paper, which means nearly 100 million trees get used for junk mail every year in the US. Recycling junk mail is great, but not getting it at all is even better!

11. B.Y.O.B. Bring your own bags. Use reusable canvas cloth bags and keep them in your car for the next grocery trip. Not all items require a bag try carrying small or large item in your hands.

12. Reuse. Plastic grocery bags are multifunctional. Use them for trash can liners or for pet waste. Find new ways to reuse those bags.

13 Bike to work or school. Power by you, it is a great way to get your exercise in and it saves you at the pump.

14. Spend time in nature. Taking a walk, having a picnic or simply sitting outdoors will

motivate us to be better stewards of the Earth.

We don’t have to depend up on fossil fuel, there are many alternative. We have a free resource in the sun why not use the sun to power the US by solar power?. The US is smart enough to put a man on the moon, we are surely smart enough to stop destroying our Earth. We have the potential to produce almost all of our electricity from clean energy sources. We have the know how to move beyond our dependence on polluting power plants by using clean, safe and affordable renewable energy. Solar panels transform sunlight into electricity and wind turbines captures the winds to produce reliable electricity. With a better use of energy we can avoid the need of new polluting power plants. With the US technologies we can create ways of using less energy.

Together we can do it, we can create a cleaner environment for our future generation.

QuestionsQuestions

Work CitedWork CitedBaliunas, Sallie, and James Glassman. “Global Warming Results form Natural Causes.” Baliunas, Sallie, and James Glassman. “Global Warming Results form Natural Causes.” San Diego: Greenhaven San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. CCLCCCLC Southwestern College. . Southwestern College. . http://find.galegroup.com.http://find.galegroup.com.

Butler, Rhett. “Global Warming Triggers Invasive Species to Spread and Wipe out Butler, Rhett. “Global Warming Triggers Invasive Species to Spread and Wipe out Native Species.” Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. Native Species.” Greenhaven Press, 2008. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. CCLC Southwester College. CCLC Southwester College.

. . http://find.galegroup.comhttp://find.galegroup.com. . Epstein, M.D, Paul R., of Harvard Medical School Science advisors and Oppenheimer, Epstein, M.D, Paul R., of Harvard Medical School Science advisors and Oppenheimer, PhD Princeton University. PhD Princeton University.

“To Hot Not to Handle” Documentary Produce by “To Hot Not to Handle” Documentary Produce by David Laurie and Susan Lester. @2006 Home Box Office Inc. David Laurie and Susan Lester. @2006 Home Box Office Inc. Larsen, Janet. “Earth Policy Institute,” October 2003. Larsen, Janet. “Earth Policy Institute,” October 2003. www.earthpolicy.orgwww.earthpolicy.org

Moore, Thomas Gale. “Global Warming Will Be Beneficial.” At Issue: Is Global Moore, Thomas Gale. “Global Warming Will Be Beneficial.” At Issue: Is Global Warming A Threat? San Diego: Warming A Threat? San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2003. Opposing Viewpoints Greenhaven Press, 2003. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. CCLC Southwestern College. Resource Center. CCLC Southwestern College.

http://find.galegroup.com. http://find.galegroup.com. Watson, Robert T. “Human Activity Causes Global Warming. “Opposing Viewpoints: Watson, Robert T. “Human Activity Causes Global Warming. “Opposing Viewpoints: Global Warming. San Global Warming. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. Opposing Viewpoints Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2002. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. CCLC Southwestern College. Resource Center. CCLC Southwestern College.

http://find.galegroup.com.http://find.galegroup.com.