Saturday, October 29, 2011

What Are the Causes of Global Warming?

The main causes of global warming have been well documented and covered in the media, however, this is at a basic surface-level, if you want to find out the true causes of global warming, you have to look beyond the obvious and below the surface.

I will, however, be firstly explaining to you what "global warming" is; Global warming is the current rise in the average temperature of the Earth's oceans and atmosphere. It is also the increase of the Earth's average surface temperature.

The main causes of global warming are due to the effect of increased concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the burning of fossil fuels to create electricity. Fossil fuels are made of dead plants and animals. Some examples of fossil fuels are oil and petroleum. Many pollutants are sent into the air when fossil fuels are burned. Some of these chemicals are called greenhouse gasses. Other forms of greenhouse gases are, water vapour, nitrous oxide and methane. Greenhouse gases trap heat and light from the sun in the Earth's atmosphere, which increases the temperature.

Another cause of global warming, is deforestation, or the cutting down or burning of forests. Forests absorb carbon dioxide and trap heat that would otherwise escape from Earth. This is a type of greenhouse effect.

Trees are 50 percent carbon. When they are felled or burned, the CO2 they store escapes back into the air. Between 25 and 30 percent of the greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere each year - 1.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide - is caused by deforestation. The most important direct causes of deforestation include logging, the conversion of forested lands for agriculture and cattle-raising, urbanization, mining and oil exploitation, acid rain and fire.

Now that I have mentioned the main causes of global warming, I will tell you the true causes of global warming; and this is caused by the greed of opportunity seekers, constantly on the lookout for any opportunities to exploit.

The constant need for energy to satisfy first-world countries and the Earth's growing human population has provided a huge opportunity for the above to exploit whatever, whoever and wherever they can, in order to profit.

The greed and lack of conscience of "opportunity seekers", leads them to exploit people and/or the Earth's natural resources, in order that they may profit.

The exploitation of the Earth's natural resources by "opportunity seekers" has been one of the major causes in the upset of the balance of nature and in effect, of "global warming".

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Global Warming And Earthquakes

Yesterday the earth shook in both the western and eastern United States, thereby proving my dad's theory that I really should have never ever left the safe and sound Midwest. And although I found it amusing that our nearby news stations here went into Earthquake 2011! mode for a tremble that most of us barely felt, it did raise just a little panic in me concerning the number of natural disasters heading our way. (And truly who knew that there was a fault line in Virginia??. Maybe it is time for my own bamboo earthquake shelter.)

While we joked around the workplace about that darn "global warming", it in no way occurred to me that global warming could cause an earthquake. How incorrect I am! Much research has shown a definite connection between global warming and earthquakes meaning that not simply are we causing disaster from above but also from below.

So how precisely does global warming produce an earthquake? Well, by land or by sea, Paul Revere can yell that they're coming and it all begins with the melting ice caps. When the weight of glaciers and ice sheets is relieved from the earth's crust (thanks to the melting), meaning that the crust can rebound far more rapidly. And when the enormous ice sheets have melted enough to move along, they oftentimes become stuck to the ice next to them causing pressure to accumulate until they slip forward a couple of inches at a time. This movement is referred to as "stick n' slip" and although a few inches seems inconsequential, bear in mind that we're not talking about some ice cubes in a drink here. The massive weight shift can trigger earthquakes to a 7 magnitude when it lurches forward. And the "stick n' slip" isn't a rare occurrence either. The Whillans Ice Stream [the very first ice sheet observed doing the stick n' slip] moves forward twice per day with each and every slip producing tremors that could be felt 4,000 miles away in Australia.

Yet another consequence of ice melt will be the change in sea levels which causes a rise in ocean temperatures causing the water itself to expand (a process called thermal expansion). That additional water in the great blue yonder piles up and applies pressure to faults near the coastline. Not only does that mean a lot more earthquake risks, but it also affects volcanic activity (as if we didn't have enough to worry about!). A study published in Nature way back in 1997 studying the connection between sea levels in the Mediterranean and volcanic activity within the area discovered that when sea levels rose rapidly, volcanic eruptions elevated by 300%!

And, in accordance with National Geographic News, a study of Alaska's Columbia Glacier found that modest earthquakes had been much more frequent in Alaskan summers when the ice there was melting.

Even though no scientist is spouting a doomsday theory with such a huge rise in sea level that every fault line erupts globally, the evidence is mounting that global warming is causing numerous natural disasters around us. And while I can discover some humor in our response to Earthquake 2011!, underneath that is my own crust of worry and concern about the ongoing and ever-increasing impacts of global warming.

Douglas Michaels Jr. writes educational articles for Green Earth News, the authority on everything Bamboo. For more information on Bamboo And Environment. Check out Green Earth Bamboo for bamboo sheets, bamboo clothing, duvet covers, towels and baby products, all made from the world's most sustainable and renewable resource on the planet.

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Global Warming - Purveyor of Death

Plants, trees, animals, sea, earth, rocks, sand, water, air, wind etc all these are part of nature. Nature is something that can not be created artificially and even existed when there was no human life. Nature is referred to as the natural surroundings comprising of animal and plant kingdom.

Nature provides us many resources and we are dependent upon them for our continued existence. Plants and trees are wonderful gift of nature. These provide us not only oxygen but also helps us fighting the growing demons known as pollution and global warming. Trees are responsible for absorbing carbon dioxide (CO2) and emitting oxygen into the atmosphere due to the process of photosynthesis. This unique property makes trees real saviors of life fighting against purveyor of death.

Global warming is referred to as the increased earth's average temperature.

Effects and causes of Global Warming:
Spreading of Diseases - Warm temperature is beneficial for microorganism, germs and viruses to survive and to multiply. As a result of global warming diseases are spreading day by day.

Increased Hurricanes - Average temperature of oceans is increasing like anything and this result in increasing probability of powerful, frequent and grievous Hurricanes.

Drought - Increasing temperature results in increasing the probability of drought and serious heat waves. The day is not far when there will not be any water left because of this day by day increasing rate of global warming.

Accumulation of hazardous gases in the atmosphere - Excessive releasing of green house gases is one of the main reasons of Global warming. Some of the green house gases are CO2, N2O and methane. Accumulation of these harmful gases is increasing due to the recent industrialization and unnecessary deforestation.

Hostile world for future generation - As a result of this increasing demon, the world will turn hostile for the future generation. Global warming is badly affecting not only earth but also affecting the whole ecosystem.

Ways to avoid Global warming:
Avoid using perfumes rich in CFCs - CFC is Chlorofluorocarbon and is responsible for depletion of ozone layer. Increased use of CFCs results in increasing global warming.

Make use of solar energy - Start using solar energy appliances and equipments because these are beneficial in decreasing pollution and helps saving non-renewable resources.

Grow More Trees - Trees play an important role in saving earth from warming and soil erosion. We should grow more trees in order to keep environment safe and secure.

Organic Food - Consumption of organic food helps in decreasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

Say no to Polyethene Bags- Polythene is non-recyclable material and is responsible for increasing pollution. Start using paper bags, cloth bags or bags made from recyclable material in order to save environment.

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Global Warming Versus Greenhouse Effect

It is evident that various changes have occurred on the earth's surface during the last century. The temperature across the globe rose by 1%within a span of 100 years and this is not great news at all. Indeed this is a matter of grave concern and is supported by the vanishing of ice and glaciers all around the world. It is believed that Global warming is the result of increase in the levels of green house gases in the earth's crust mainly caused by the sun.

What is the Green House effect?

Sun is the main source of heat and energy for the earth. The sunlight contains the electromagnetic radiations that enter the earth surface and are absorbed by the earth. This results in the formation of infrared radiations that are emitted out into the space. But the greenhouse gases like methane, carbon dioxide, trap these radiations and this results in the heating of the earth's surface. The ultimate result is the rise in the temperature of the earth leading to adverse consequences dangerous for the existence of mankind.

What are the Green House Gases?

Green house gases have been in existence on earth from thousands of years. The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century triggered the increase in the production of the gases. Carbons oxide, methane were released as a result of combustion of gas, oil and coal. It is the human activity that has been the root cause of the increasing the green house gases in the atmosphere.

What is Global Warming?

The increase in the level of green house gases makes it easier for these gases to trap the infrared radiations within the atmosphere of the earth. This has finally resulted in the drastic rise in the temperature of the earth exposing mankind to various dangers. Polar caps, ice, glaciers and snow capped mountains are melting due to the rise in the temperature.

Human beings are responsible:

It is clearly known that it is the human activity that has led to the increase of green house gases in the earth's atmosphere resulting in global warming. Small changes in the human activities can reduce the emissions of carbon and methane. Usage of natural gas, solar and wind energy can help in curbing the emissions of carbon and methane. Once we control the carbon emission, we will surely be able to curtail the production of green house gases and reduce the global warming.

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Factors Contributing To Global Warming

Global warming is defined as rise in the average temperature of Earth, surface air and oceans. According to the studies conducted, it has been explained that the Earth's temperature has risen by nearly 1 degree Fahrenheit in the last 100 years. It is one of the major environmental problems today. If this situation continues, then many adverse effects may take place on earth.

Causes Of Global Warming:

Global warming can be caused due to natural calamities or human activities. Natural causes of global warming include bursting of sunspots, solar output variations, volcanic explosions and changes in the Earth's orbit. Human activities, which increase green house gases, including burning of solid waste, wood, and fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal, and deforestation. Release of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) from industrial processes generates more heat than normal and gets trapped in the atmosphere resulting in global warming.

The main gases contributing to this are carbon dioxide, water vapor, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases are largely produced by thermal power plants that burn the fossil fuels, road vehicles, and industries. Another cause is deforestation, which is caused by cutting and burning of forests for building houses and industries.

Effects Of Global Warming:

Global warming produces several effects, ranging from the effects on atmosphere, economy, and environment and also on health of human beings.

•Due to this, there is an increase in average earth surface temperature, which resulted in the melting of polar ice. Continuous melting down of glaciers can lead to floods and other natural calamities. More increase in temperature may melt the ice and results in the increase of sea level, which will submerge and immerse low lying countries and coastal areas.
•It also affected animal kingdom and some animals become extinct due to loss of their natural habitat or failure to get adapted to the rapid changes in the climate. Animals' lifestyles have changed due to changes in seasons and migrating birds changed their time of travel and also location of migration.
•Global warming also affected seasons, as there is change in season cycle, the summers are getting prolonged than the winters.
•It is quite responsible for the initiation of some new diseases. This is because, bacteria are very capable and multiply rapidly in warmer temperatures compared to cold temperatures. The increase in temperature has resulted in the increase of microbes, which cause diseases.
•Global warming is also responsible for variation in crop production, because crops are getting destroyed due to sudden change in temperatures or sudden attack of rains. Flash floods and other natural disasters also influence the crop production.
•As a result of it, the earth's atmosphere is gradually becoming unstable. This is because of heavy rains in the places where there is very less rainfall and drought in the places where there is good annual rainfall. There is also change in months of rainfall.
•Effects of global warming, such as decreased snow level, increased temperature and other weather changes will not only influence humans but also affect complete ecosystems. These changes in ecosystem may lead to extinction of species. Another consequence is Glacier retreat, which means deterioration of glaciers. This may lead to flash floods, landslides and glacier lake overflow.
•Due to this, people may suffer from infectious, vector-borne diseases like malaria and food shortages.
•Due to global warming oceans will become significantly more acidic as more carbon dioxide is trapped into water and temperature of ocean increases. This may lead to extinction of ocean animals and plants and cause hurricanes and storms.
•The polar ice caps are melted which is fresh water and when it is submerged in sea, the salinity of ocean is disturbed and causes imbalance in ocean currents.

Global warming can cause heat strokes, cardiovascular, and respiratory problems. An efficient way to reduce emission of green house gases into atmosphere is to encourage public to use renewable energy sources and conserve energy to possible extent. More advanced technologies must be developed in order to build cleaner cars and improved way to generate electricity. These methods help in minimizing global warming and also to save energy for future generations.

News-developments.com is a combined blog of six people each focused on providing news developments in various categories. Major news events and developments are provided in categories including business, home and living, society, science and technology, and entertainment.

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How Does Global Warming Affect Our Climate?

Global warming describes the increase of the earth's average temperature beginning with the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century. Although increases to the planet's average temperature have been recorded in ice core data for millions of years, the speed and frequency of the current temperature increase has resulted in this recent heating episode being called global warming. It is attributed to the increase in the burning of fossil fuels initially for steam engines and then in the creation of electricity. Both the fossil fuel consumption and temperature rise curves have increased exponentially in the last two centuries, leading the scientific community to conclude that the use of fossil fuels is the one of the main causes of global warming. The evidence supporting this conclusion is now overwhelming, with governments, corporations and individuals realising the implications and the importance of reducing its causes.

Why is reducing fossil fuel burning important and how does global warming affect our climate? The earth's climate is defined by a complex system of meteorological elements such as temperature, humidity and rainfall that have been recorded over an extended period of time. The planet is also divided into different climatic categories, including tropical wet, mediterranean and arid to name a few. In the last two hundred years or so, changes to the planet's climate have occurred. These are predominantly attributed to global warming or the increase in average surface temperatures around the globe. The affects of global warming have significant implications for earth's climate.

Global warming actually affects the planet's climate in a number of ways. Increased temperatures are the principle cause of climate change as they cause more evaporation to occur in the oceans, resulting in more frequent and extreme rainfall events. Over land, higher temperatures can produce drier and hotter weather conditions leading to increased desertification or enlargement of current arid climate zones. Although, global warming relates to an increase in the average world temperature, different regions will experience different climatic effects. In general, most regions will become warmer and drier, however many regions will also experience colder temperatures and increased precipitation. These variances will continue to increase, resulting in uncharacteristic weather patterns with extreme events, like hurricanes and cyclones intensifying. Changing climate also has many implications for flora and fauna that have adapted to present weather conditions. Species that cannot migrate or adapt quickly enough may become extinct. Humans will also be affected, as the distribution of arable land may change, making it harder to grow crops. Extreme weather events can also endanger settlements and human lives.

One of the most concerning affects of global warming is the increased melting of polar ice caps, resulting in rising sea levels. This process actually increases global warming because less radiation from the sun is reflected by the ice back out to space. Instead more sunlight is absorbed by land and water fueling further warming and increased melting of polar ice. Climate is also affected by this process as many weather systems are influenced by ocean currents at the poles. The large volumes of melted fresh water from the ice caps can alter ocean currents potentially causing significant changes to the global climate.

To mitigate the affects of global warming on the planet's climate it is essential that the human activities resulting in this process be minimised. If global warming does not slow down, the people, animals, and plants of earth will face a host of challenges as a result of changing climate. FWR Group is doing its part to increase the sustainability of our clients and reduce the causes of global warming affecting the world's climate. To find out more about our past and present projects or how we can guide you through the green maze visit this website.

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I'm a Global Warming Skeptic (And You Should Be Too!)

I live in a wonderful suburban community on Long Island. My three children attend the excellent public schools in our district. As the two oldest children have made their way through middle school, though, I've been bothered by the rather flimsy instruction they've received on the subject of "global warming." Despite widespread divergence among scientists and reports of questionable scholarship in landmark global warming studies, my children (and, presumably, their classmates and millions of other young students) have been taught a standard, one-sided view of "global warming." Both my 14 year-old daughter and 11 year-old son have been shown Al Gore's movie An Inconvenient Truth in sixth grade, but have been given nothing to suggest that some of the information in the movie is either controversial or misleading. So I've decided to put together this bullet point compendium of information discussing the current status of the "global warming" debate.

The History

1. Global warming is when near surface and water temperatures on earth rise. Scientists believe there are many factors involved in the earth's temperature changes, many of which are natural and have little or nothing to do with human activity (e.g. atmospheric processes like clouds and precipitation systems, the variability associated with phenomena like El Nino and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation). But an approximately 1 degree Fahrenheit increase in average temperatures over the last 100 years has put the focus of scientists and funding agencies on "greenhouse gases" (carbon dioxide, water vapor, nitrous oxide, and methane), some of which are emitted by humans. These gases can trap heat and light from the sun in the earth's atmosphere, which increases the temperature.

2. The claim that the earth is warming, that the warming is due to man's emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), and that continued emissions will lead to catastrophe gained major media attention during the hearings of then-U.S. Senator Al Gore's Committee on Science, Technology and Space in 1988. At those hearings Director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies James Hansen claimed with" 99 percent certainty" that temperatures were rising due to a human-influenced "greenhouse effect."

3. The same year as the Gore hearings, the United Nations established the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to assess "the scientific, technical and socioeconomic information relevant for the understanding of the risk of human-induced climate change." The IPCC prepared four reports and a Summary for Policymakers. The last report was completed in 2007. Together, the reports contained the following conclusions:

• Global warming is occurring. Global surface temperature increased between.32 and 1.33 degrees Fahrenheit during the 20th century.

• "Anthropogenic [man made] climate change will persist for many centuries."

• The full range of projected temperature increase is between 2 to 11.5 degrees Fahrenheit by the end of the 21stcentury.

• The increase in global temperatures are a result of human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels (Coal, oil, natural gas) for energy.

• Given current trends, temperature extremes, heat waves, and heavy precipitation events will continue to escalate in frequency; and the earth's temperature and seas will continue to rise into the next millennium.

4. The IPCC's Summary for Policymakers (first issued in 1999) featured a graph displaying an unprecedented surge in 20th-century temperatures that looked like a hockey stick lying on the floor with its blade pointed up. Prior centuries' temperatures appear flat, with a severe spike in the 20th-century.

5. Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the IPCC, shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize with Al Gore, whose 2006 movie, An Inconvenient Truth, relied on the findings of the IPCC. Gore's film won the 2007 Academy Awards for Best Documentary Feature and Best Original Song.

6. The IPCC identified the burning of coal, oil and natural gas as the primary culprits in rising man-made carbon emissions over the past 150 years, dating back to roughly the start of the industrial revolution. Policy proposals to reduce carbon dioxide emissions contained in such efforts as the Kyoto protocols, the Copenhagen Climate Conference (2009), and in "cap and trade" schemes, massively restructure economic systems and expand government's ability to regulate and control energy usage.

The Controversy

1. In mid-November of 2009 there appeared a file on the internet containing thousands of emails and other documents from the Climatic Research Unit at the University of East Anglia in Great Britain (CRU). The CRU supplied many of the authors for the IPCC reports. The file was quickly authenticated and provided unambiguous evidence that the CRU and associated research scientists throughout the world engaged in the unethical suppression of information and opposing viewpoints, data manipulation, and collusion. This event has become known as "climategate."

2. Climategate has mushroomed into a crisis affecting an entire scientific discipline. At the heart of this crisis is the "hockey stick" graph produced by Dr. Michael Mann of Penn State University, a co-conspirator in the leaked emails. After being given data by another scientist showing a mid-to-late 20th century decline in temperatures, Mann responded in a September 22, 1999 email to the CRU, that it was a "problem and a potential distraction/detraction." So Mann deleted the embarrassing post-1960 portion of the data. The CRU's director Phil Jones applauded Mann's deceptions in an e-mail in which he crowed over "Mike's Nature trick," which also included a "method" of flat lining the medieval "warming period."

3. An independent study by a team of mathematicians was requested by the U.S. congress and headed by Dr. Edward J. Wegman. The Wegman study thoroughly discredited the Mann "hockey stick" research because of invalid use of statistical techniques and found that the conclusions by Mann could not be supported.

4. Along with the manipulated "hockey stick" graph, the British government concluded that the University of East Anglia's Climate Research Unit violated the nation's freedom of information act by withholding information requested by other, presumably critical, scientists.

5. In 2010, Graham Cogley, a professor of geography and glaciers at Trent University in Peterborough, Canada, brought to the world's attention the IPPC claim that warming will cause the Himalayan glaciers to disappear by 2035. It turned out that that claim was based solely on a pamphlet published by the World Wildlife Federation, not on any objective data. 6. Similarly, the Times of London reported that a claim that warming could endanger "up to 40 percent" of the Amazon rainforest came from an anti-smoking activist and had no scientific basis.

7. In a report to the United Nations in 2010, more than 1,000 dissenting scientists challenged man-made global warming claims made by the IPCC and former Vice President Al Gore. This 320-page Climate Depot Special Report was updated from 2007′s U.S. Senate Report of over 400 scientists who voiced skepticism about the so-called global warming "consensus."

8. The InterAcademy Council, a consortium of national scientific academies, scolded the U.N.'s IPCC for downplaying uncertainties about global warming, failing to point out when its claims were based on weak evidence and misrepresenting some findings as peer-reviewed by scientists, when they weren't.

9. An independent group of scientists called the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change, issued a report called Climate Change Reconsidered, which said the IPCC reports are "marred by errors and misstatements, ignores scientific data that were available but were inconsistent with the authors' pre-conceived conclusions, and has already been contradicted in important parts by research published since May 2006."

Scientific Data That Challenges the Global Warming Narrative

1. CO2 is a benign gas essential to life, occurring in past eras at five times present levels. Changes in atmospheric CO2 do not correlate with human emissions of CO2, the latter being entirely trivial in the global balance. Oceans are the primary contributors of CO2 in the atmosphere.

2. According to Larry Bell, a professor at the University of Houston and the author of Climate of Corruption: Politics and Power Behind the Global Warming Hoax, the abnormally high temperatures experienced on earth in the last century has been going on for 15,000 to 18,000 years, a life-friendly period known as an interglacial cycle, long before man-made inventions of agriculture, smokestacks, and SUVs.

3. Prof. Bell explains that temperatures are probably about the same today as during a "Roman Warm Period" slightly more than 2,000 years ago, and much warmer than the "Dark Ages" that followed. They are cooler than the "Medieval Warm Period" about 1,000 years ago when Eric the Red and his Icelandic Viking tribe settled on grasslands of Greenland's southwestern coast, and much warmer than about 400 years ago when the Northern Hemisphere plunged into depths of a "Little Ice Age."

4. According to Robert B. Laughlin, co-winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physics: climate change over geologic time is something the earth has done "on its own without asking anyone's permission or explaining itself." Glacial episodes have occurred "at regular intervals of 100,000 years," always "a slow, steady cooling followed by abrupt warming back to conditions similar to today's."

5. The past century witnessed two distinct warming periods, one occurred from 1900-1945, and another from 1975-1998. About half of that total warming occurred before the mid-1940s. Records from land stations and ships indicate that the global mean surface temperature warmed by about 0.9 Fahrenheit since 1880. These records indicate a near level trend in temperatures from 1880 to about 1910, a rise to 1945, a slight decline to about 1975, and a rise to 1998.

6. While CO2 levels have continued to rise, there hasn't been statistically significant warming since 1998.

7. According to a startling admission by Professor Phil Jones of the infamous Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia (a primary author of the IPCC "Summary for Policymakers") there has been no significant warming since 1995.

8. Recent data from many monitors including the CRU, available on http://www.climate4you.com, show that the average temperature of the atmosphere and the oceans near the surface of the earth has decreased significantly over the past eight years or so.

9. Warmer weather typically precedes increases in CO2 levels, not the other way around. What rise in global temperature there has been started approximately 150 years ago, but man-made CO2 emissions did not start to grow visibly before the 1940s. In other words, the warmer weather came before the increase in CO2 levels. This is because oceans are huge CO2 sinks, absorbing CO2 as they cool, and releasing CO2 as they warm up. (Prof. Larry Bell uses the analogy of a soda can to explain this phenomena. When you open a cold can of soda it retains CO2. If it is warm, it releases CO2 and sprays all over.) These temperature shifts are heavily influenced by entirely natural ocean cycle fluctuations that affect heat transfer patterns from the tropics.

10. Short- and long-term solar fluctuations have important influences too. Decadal and longer changes in sunspot activity impacting warming and cooling cloud cover patterns are now being recognized as an important factor in global temperatures.

11. The idea that the world's glaciers are disappearing because of CO2, a primary claim made in Al Gore's An Inconvenient Truth, defies credibility. Most glaciers in temperate climates are relics of the ice age and have been receding since that time. Nevertheless, a large number of glaciers are growing, none of which were shown in An Inconvenient Truth. Only a small percentage of glaciers have been studied for mass balance changes out of the 67,000 that have been inventoried.

12. A healthy skepticism of scientific theories that seem to require sweeping public policy reforms is warranted. One need not be a cynic to understand the incentives operating upon the scientific community and the media. Piles of grant money and recognition outside their sometimes narrow fields of specialization await the researcher who identifies a real crisis requiring their high level of expertise. For the media the attraction to news that is alarming and that may cause panic, or even hysteria, is obvious: it raises interest in the news and thus increases revenue. History shows several occasions in which scientists and the media seemed eager to speculate falsely about the earth's future.

• An October 7, 1912 Los Angeles Times feature proclaimed the "Fifth Ice Age is on the Way: Human Race Will Have to Fight for Existence in Cold."

• On August 9, 1923 the Chicago Tribune declared "Scientists Say Arctic Ice Will Wipe out Canada."

• A March 1, 1975 cover of Science News magazine depicted New York City being swallowed by a glacier. The New York Times followed with a headline story "Scientists Ponder Why World's Climate is Changing: A Major Cooling Widely Considered to be Inevitable."

• In April 1974 Time magazine featured a cover story with the title "How to Survive the Coming Ice Age: 51 Things You Can Do To Make A Difference."

• On April 28, 1975, Newsweek magazine published an article entitled "Scientists Predict Massive Global Cooling." It featured the following statement: "The evidence in support of these predictions has now begun to accumulate so massively that meteorologists are hard-pressed to keep up with it."

13. Professor Bell and others believe that humans tend to thrive in warmer climates. "A warming planet is not necessarily bad. It enables humans and countless other creatures to thrive that couldn't otherwise survive. It provides long and fertile planting seasons on large expanses of unfrozen land essential to feed 8 billion to 9 billion people around the world."

14. The costs associated with efforts to reduce man-made CO2 are enormous. Bjorn Lomborg, author of The Skeptical Environmentalist, has studied the economics of climate change and estimates that the European Union's 20 percent emissions-reduction target will cost around $250 billion a year. Yet the impact by 2100 on global temperatures is likely to be only 0.05 a degree Centigrade - almost too small to measure.

Seth Forman is Research Associate Professor of Public Policy at Stony Brook University and blogs at http://www.mrformansplanet.com. He has just completed a forthcoming book on Barack Obama and race in America.

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Global Warming and Evolution - A Cynic's View

This isn't what it sounds like. I believe in global warming and evolution. What I am skeptical about is the consequences of global warming. Where is all this panic coming from?

Everybody likes to get all worked up about the consequences of global warming, a flame environmentalists are happy to stoke. Sea levels will rise and populations will migrate. Some land that is farmable now won't be farmable, and some land that isn't farmable now will be farmable. Climate change has happened before without our help: there was a major ice age 12,000 years ago and a "mini" ice age 500 years ago. The sun goes through cycles, so the earth goes through cycles. The point is, the earth's climate is always changing. But then again so are we. Three Million years ago we were "apes". Now we are people. This is a blink of an eye on the geological time scale. Even as recently as 200,000 years ago some of our relatives were probably Neanderthals. Things don't evolve at a constant rate; they evolve slower or faster depending on natural selection. The dinosaurs didn't just disappear. Some of them died off, but some of them evolved into the creatures you see today.

Picture the velociraptor from Jurassic park. Over thousands of years environmental pressure "favored" smaller and smaller raptors. A large raptor has smaller baby raptors and so on. The raptor is also starting to evolve feathers, beginning with deformed scales. Pretty soon the raptor is a bird - he didn't go extinct at all, he evolved into something else. This may not be entirely scientific, but birds are close relatives to dinosaurs. Major global warming does not mean extinction, it means evolution. Evolution is inevitable anyways. Nothing we can do will stop the climate from eventually forcing us to evolve. We do need to be responsible with the environment to make it easier for future generations. Environmentalists are always railing against technology, when in reality technology is out best hope to be green and maintain our current lifestyle (not end up in a Future Scenarios: A Loose - Loose). The fear of global warming seems to be more fear of change and the unknown than anything else. Look on the bright side, if Canada, Scotland, Ireland, Greenland and Northern Russia all get warmer it will be great! There will be lots of room to move all of those farms from the cost.

So chill out!

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Richard Schitts

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The Prime Reasons and Causes Of Global Warming

Global warming is a phenomenon that has been discussed widely nowadays and global warming causes are one of the most studied subjects presently in the world. Through out the world many governments, institutes and universities are trying to find out what are the causes for global warming. As the effects of global warming is becoming more and more evident, many of us have started to realize that steps have to be taken to control Global warming at the earliest and various countries and people have started working towards it.

The earth, the 3rd planet of our solar system, the planet brimming with life and beautiful landscape, is on the verge of getting destroyed. The main reason is global warming. Global warming is the slow and steady increase in the temperature of earth and its atmosphere. The increase in the temperature of earth has caused many effects like the melting of ice in Polar Regions, increase in disease occurrences, drastic climatic changes including rainfall and dry periods.

One of the major causes for global warming can be attributed to the activities of man. The man which thinks of himself as the most intelligent thing on earth is knowingly or unknowingly destroying its own habitat. The activities of man has lead to an increase in the so called greenhouse gases which include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxide etc. the gases have created an effect of green house on the earths surface which prevents the reflection of the rays from sun and thus causes the increase in temperature. Carbon dioxide concentration in the air has increased due to the emissions from cars, airplanes, power plants, industries etc. another reason for it is the deforestation. Forests have been cut down paying way for agriculture, industries and cities. The trees were natural regulators of carbon dioxide which used to control its level's in the atmosphere.

Another is the CFC which is used in refrigerators, in fire extinguisher's which destroys the natural ozone layer. The ozone layer was a natural barrier which used to prevent the harmful ultra violet rays of the sun. Without this layer, the rays fall on the earth and cause the temperature to increase. Researchers have found an ozone hole in our atmosphere, which they say is the main reason for the melting of glacier's in the Polar Regions. Earth which mainly consists of developing or underdeveloped countries, which holds a major population needs electricity for the day to day activities. The electricity supply is mainly satisfied by burning fossil fuels. The fossil fuel on burning releases carbon dioxide which causes global warming.

The causes of the global warming have been in work for a long time and slowly it has caused the increase in the temperature. The satisfactory fact is that at least now the governments of various countries and its people have started to understand that they are one of the causes for the global warming. Therefore combined efforts by the different countries have started to control the global warming and thereby prevent our habitat from destruction. Awareness, alternative forms of energy, conservation of energy, and reforestation can help.

These are the major causes of global warming and hopefully by taking measures we can bring this grave situation under control. If people are educated about the global warming causes, they can do what they can to control global warming in their everyday life.

Causes of Global Warming are not only the things that people accuse each other off, you will be surprised to find out what caused, and still is causing Global Warming. Visit http://globalwarmingpages.com for more.

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The Terrifying Global Warming

Global warming is true and is going on!

Mainstream of scientific community recognize the global warming. It is indeed happening. By the beginning of the 20th century, the average surface temperature of the earth has increased 1.1 F (0.6 C). In the last 40 years, the air temperature has increased 0.5 F (0.2- 0.3 C). Global warming has been going on in the last 400- 600 years, but the fastest in the 20th century.

As a result, the natural environment has been changing. We can see glaciers are fading away gradually. In the last 40 years, the thickness of north polar glaciers has dropped 40% of the original. The global sea level is arising. More and more researches show that plants and animals respond to the climate change by changing their behavior patterns.

Animals have migrated to higher ground. In the 20th century, people find that they only can see lovely chipmunks and squirrels when they climb higher. Global warming had forced various animals to migrate higher.

Lakes "leak". In the last decades, there are 125 lakes in North Pole gone. Global warming results in the melting of permafrost at the bottom of lakes and thus, the water penetrates into the soil.

Satellites revolve faster and faster. Influences of global warming achieve to the outer space. Though the earth's outermost layer of air is thin, it still produce resistance to satellites. Thus, engineers need to adjust the orbit of satellites.

More and more forest fires happen. Global warming increases the dryness of forests and thus, raises the risks of fires.

Do you find that you have more allergies in recent years? In spring, you sneeze and the eyes itch more frequently? Researches show that the increase of carbon dioxide and the rise of air temperature bring forward the flowering period of plants and thus produce more pollen.

When atmospheric layer has been damaged; the environment has been polluted and the globe has been warming, many influences are brought to human beings and the earth, both positive and negative. For example, as temperature rises, subpolar areas may be more suitable for human beings to live in. The rise of carbon dioxide promotes the photosynthesis and thus, plants grow faster. The above two examples show the positive influences. However, negative influences are more profound. For example, it influences human beings' health. Extreme high temperature will cause many health problems, such as malaria, cholera, kala-azar and so on. As climate changes, some tropical diseases can spread to extratropic region.

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Smoking and Global Warming

From a hotel room in Central Jakarta, Indonesia news agency Pena's final report describes the development of the tobacco industry today. This report in the form of 65 pages thick magazine with the headline on the front page "Hypocrisy & Myths Behind the Tobacco Industry".

Pena Indonesia claims this report is based on investigative reports on various search tobacco industry documents. Also includes two CD or compact disk that contains thousands of documents multinational industries in Indonesia. As the documents from British American Tobacco or BAT, Philips Morris and others.

The workshop was attended among journalists and health activists. Aim to provide insight into the existence of secret documents related to the coming of the giants of the world tobacco industry and its relationship with Indonesia.

This workshop also received support from the world health agency WHO's Indonesia representative, IAKMI-Public Health Specialist Association of Indonesia and SEATCA-The Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance.

Pena Indonesia to work for three months and glared through the computer. Digging thousands of documents online from seven giant cigarette recorded in the period 1960 until the early 2000s. At least there are about 28,000 of thousands more documents from British American Tobacco or BAT Indonesia is stored in digital libraries of the University of California, San Francisco, United States.

Walk through also take place in the site's Legacy Tobacco Documents Library that contains an internal document of Philips Morris, RJ Reynolds, Lorillard and Brown & Williamson. The result is reported and written by Farid Gaban and Alfian Hamzah from Pena Indonesia news agency and Mardiyah Chamim of Tempo Magazine. Coverage and support in the form of grant funding from Essential Action Global Partnership for Tobacco Control, based in Washington.

This story began in 1998. This year may be spelled out in the most unfortunate for the cigarette industry in America. Attorney General State of Minnesota, United States, Hubert Humphrey III blew the whistle loud warning to cigarette industry. Attorney General asked the seven smoking industry giants to open all their secret documents to the public. Aim to find the truth.

These documents are internal documents containing various letters to the authorities, scientists, media tricks to boost the tobacco business. Seven giant companies, among others, from Philip Morris Incorporated, RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company, British American Tobacco (BAT), Brown and Williamson, the Ligget Group and The Tobacco Institute and The Council for Tobacco Research and the Lorillard Tobacco Company.

American courts have six million documents with 35 million pages. Each page is a seal and code number of lawyers the industry to ensure its authenticity. The court also requires the tobacco industry parties in order to deposit the documents until the year 2008.

While in England, the mountains of British American Tobacco documents typically stored in the warehouse Guilford, Surrey, England. BAT archiving online documents is done by the University of California, San Francisco, United States.

There are seven million documents in the form of scanned documents. And spent about four years to make efforts for their hard work. Unfortunately, according to Duncan Cambell, an American investigative journalist who helped search smoking industry documents, the claim that there are about 181 file that contains thousands of pages of documents had been lost. These missing documents are not clear and it is possible rimbanya associated with regions of other countries, like Indonesia.

One of the investigations of this American smoking industry had contrived movie "The Insider" that tell about the search an American television journalist uncover fraud in the levels toxins. Media in the United States to encourage and influence the people that smoking is a threat. Cigarettes became citizen issues and then encouraging the birth of a strict smoking regulations and basic.

Tobacco industry should be controlled and strictly controlled. For owners in the U.S. tobacco industry is not a condition of a good climate. And ask the American government to the strict rules that only apply in the United States alone. And does not apply to international business networks in different parts of other countries. Post-1998 invasion was in progress. And objectives that cigarette owners are the countries that enter the third country groups.

How to countries in the region, especially Indonesia in association with the document? Indonesia belonged to a third country is not it? Indonesia is a land tender and a haven for the global tobacco industry of the world. Tobacco industry in Indonesia incarnate and was like a "kingdom" of its own. He played many roles and automatic movements do not get a lot of obstacles and barriers.

Either statutory, economic, social to the political path. The smoking industry in Indonesia grew rapidly and slippery. Borrowing the term's largest daily newspaper in West Java, the People's Mind, the tobacco industry as "Spreads and entrenched". Not a lot of media in Indonesia to criticism, preaching especially to make a profound statement relating cigarette industry is. Indonesia received with open field every movement, ideas, and the influence of the tobacco industry in developing its business extensively.

We can learn many things from the tobacco industry documents. Learn how they work, determine the position and influence policy makers, economic, media until the "buy-sell" research. The document gives a clear and detailed. We just need to work hard, carefully detailing, and built of sheets of documents to obtain a complete picture of the building of the world tobacco industry as a whole.

According to the Southeast Asia Tobacco Control Alliance (SEATCA)-based institutions in Thailand, in its report Profiting from Death: Exposing the Tobacco Industry Tactics in ASEAN Countries, October 2007, explained that until now the region cigarette consumption of about 50 per cent of world tobacco consumption. And Asia considered as an important market future of the world tobacco industry.

While 10 countries joined to the ASEAN approximately 31 percent or 125.8 million ASEAN youth population are smokers. Or about 10 percent-1, 25 billion-from the number of young smokers smokers of the world continue to increase and the country joined ASEAN contributed to the death rate from smoking as much as 20 percent!

SEATCA is a partnership network of state agencies that merged into the ASEAN which undertakes research, advocacy and capacity building in each of its members. SEATCA work and build advocacy mission to its members who have made ratification of the WHO convention, tobacco control over the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) - including Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and Vietnam. While Indonesia is the only country in Asia which until this moment has not ratified these conventions.

WHO convention on tobacco control is essential to apply in the cigarette industry in Indonesia. This Convention will regulate and control the tobacco industry. There are about 38 articles in the convention and aims to improve the quality of global health.

Business development to move the tobacco industry is not in the form of a single strategic one. Business strategy will follow the situation in each area of development. He worked to organize and determine the target groups, facilitate the political policies that support good business that comes from the government or the people's representatives, to work with anyone to make promotional efforts and form a fully market.

Tobacco industry to build its image through a variety of ways. From the ad creates a direct communication with consumers by placing cigarette products through billboards, print ads and electronic media, posters, accessories, colors and logo outlets that causes the image of tobacco products.

Promotional activities by distributing free cigarette samples, offers coupons, contests, lotteries, tickets to watch sports games and racing, music concerts, fund a film, talk shows, street party to its activities in the form of corporate social responsibility or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR ) which supports scholarships, environmental aid projects and other activities under the company name or the name of the tobacco industry products. Including providing scholarships to journalists and school children are achievers.

SEATCA survey research on the control status of the rules about promotion, advertising, CSR and sponsorship in seven ASEAN countries in 2007. Including in Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Five countries have quite strict rules to regulate the issue ads, prmosi, sponsorship and CSR.

These five countries include Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam and Thailand. Of these five countries, Thailand has very strict rules against tobacco industry and conduct strict limits. Two of the most free, no rules, no control and no restrictions are Cambodia and Indonesia!

Cambodia and Indonesia is a paradise for the tobacco industry. The two countries are relatively poor country is not it? Indonesia is estimated to have poverty rates of 49 percent with the cost of living average of two dollars per day for America. Both do not have rules and restrictions governing tobacco control issues closely.

For the tobacco industry is the most profitable opportunities. Cigarette industry has any power and capital to boost its business and profit maximization. The industry offers a dream potion and promotional advertising to the public to climb out of poverty.

And offer words suggestive ads and interesting success. This is a dream and the dream for all people. Tobacco industry's success by offering a cigarette. Giving up tobacco are one of the main way for each person to climb out of poverty and live success quickly.

Poverty became the land for profit. And the industry was well aware of this condition. Poverty, lack of regional representation and the role of government, lack of political consciousness, and the role of the media who are helpless in cigarette advertising.

AC Nielsen figures show the year 2006 tobacco sector advertising expenditure of Rp 1.6 trillion. Which moron media would lose and the offer of money for it? One media in Indonesia may be conscious and choose not to accept tobacco ads. But the question is the extent to which the power of this medium will survive? And refrain from the onslaught of cigarette advertising.

Cigarettes became the main consumption for the poor. Cigarette consumption throughout the year reached 225 billion sticks. Cigarettes have a 4000 toxic chemicals. And cigarettes are the leading cause of cancer-causing disease, heart and other diseases that cause death in the long run. Every year people die as indicated by the cigarette causes as many as 400 thousand in Indonesia!

The number of smokers Indonesia increased sharply. Based on the national economic survey Statistic The Central Bureau in the period 2001-2004, there has been surge in novice smokers and under the age of 10 years rose 0.4 percent to 2.8 percent. National Commission on Child Protection also get a number that 90 percent of teenagers smoke because of advertising Indonesia. Teenagers became the main target for the tobacco industry.

This figure is worrying, and then in February 2007 several members of the legislature moved to make some rules to restrict smoking. These rules are expected to restrict, control and restrict tobacco issues involving the activities of young children. This rule also requires an increase in cigarette excise tax by 60 percent to minimize people buy cigarettes. And encouraged to expand research on the impact of smoking on health.

In 1999, Indonesia has issued Government Regulation 81 / 1999 concerning Security Cigarettes For Health, Government Regulation 38/1999 on Procedures for the Tobacco Product Advertising Media and Government Regulation 19/2003 regarding the obligations of cigarette manufacturers to include warnings on product packaging.

Indonesia also benefited from this condition. From the cigarette industry sector contribution in the form of tax revenue amounting to Rp 38.5 trillion last year. And this year is expected to increase to Rp 42 trillion.
Cigarette business in Indonesia is very sweet. Two Indonesian families who do business in the ranks of cigarettes in the world's richest list of Forbes Magazine. Rachman Halim family including Gudang Garam owners with assets of U.S. $ 1.9 billion and occupies 538 warning. Budi Hartono and family of the order of Djarum 664 with assets of U.S. $ 1.5 billion.

Indonesia's cigarette tax mostly cheap compared with other countries. Australia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore set the cigarette tax by 70 percent. While in Indonesia, just set the highest cigarette tax by 40 percent. With this tax rate retail price of cigarettes in Indonesia is the fifth of the price compared to the price of cigarettes in Malaysia.

The price of cheap cigarettes is boosting consumer smokers in Indonesia. Access to cigarettes is very easy. Based on the last survey the WHO and the American Cancer Society, about 70 percent of Indonesian smokers are male. And 3 percent of women smokers Indonesia.

Indonesia plays a dual role misleading. One side of the income he earned from cigarette but on the other hand many of Indonesia will lose its human resources because of damage caused by cigarettes. But health insurance companies in Indonesia which would warranty his client about the consequences of smoking?

Anti-smoking campaign world continues to strengthen. Rich countries and educated aware of the dangers from smoking. Anti-smoking movement harder and try to campaign on this issue at the level of the global movement. Federation of Football Association (FIFA) and even signed an agreement with WHO to regulate and prohibit tobacco sponsorship in the football field.

MTV supports anti-smoking campaign and urged teenagers not to smoke. Countries in Europe and other Asian and ratify the convention followed tobacco control (FCTC).

But resistance to the cigarette industry in Indonesia is still very weak. Anti-smoking movement both from citizens, communities, doctors, including from the media yet strong. WHO Indonesia chose a few names of artists and athletes for the national sports anti-smoking campaign. Among tennis champion Angelique Widjaja, bodybuilder Ade Rai, and model Tracy Trinita.

But not enough to represent all three and move the people of Indonesia to establish anti-smoking movement. Indonesia needs a great figure and steady for anti-smoking movement. Not just a slogan anti-smoking course. But the anti-smoking movement is broad and strategic.

In short, the anti-smoking movement in Indonesia is still classified as impotent. He needs power and a strong force to stem the solid and aggressive opposition from the tobacco industry. And the journalist is to write the movement and continue to oversee the expansion of logging from the cigarette industry.

Advertising and propaganda war going on in the struggle of black smoke world. And Indonesia is a powerful combat areas to map the world of today's global cigarette. This is also related to the local cigarette industry in Indonesia. As the local industry in the Spirit, Malang, Jember and Kediri. Local cigarette industry in Indonesia has also played an important role in influencing the smoking community.

In Indonesia, known as clove cigarettes while smoking outside the product known as white smoke. Local cigarette industry is small kings tobacco and many are in Java. Expansion of the world tobacco industry bosses squirm with aggressive and strong and try to master the current market share. White cigarettes clove cigarettes fight.

Who is most powerful? The smoking industry to build myths, facts and misleading research about smoking. And we know that the victims of the battle is the health of everyday citizens will decline. Indonesia and countries allow their citizens health downfall.

The facts of the dangers of cigarettes and dark tobacco industry's propaganda is clear. Cigarettes are not for compromise but should be controlled and regulated by the government and the legislature. Indonesian society should be aware that cigarettes are now become an alarming epidemic.

The event will end in 2007 Indonesia was elected to conduct a global discussion about global warming. Took place in December in Bali. Global discussions is very important to discuss and take strategic steps related to the issue of global warming and the environment. Indonesia is also classified as bad in the environmental area.

Indonesia, including the red-prone areas in environmental issues such as illegal logging, mining, industrial pollution and waste emissions from motor vehicles. This global discussion will produce decisions and policies are very important. The result will encourage each state leaders and citizens to support and implement strategic measures to curb global warming today.

I was shocked when he read a daily newspaper, the National Journal. At the bottom of the column main page newspaper ads plastered on the implementation of a global warming in Bali later. With a dominant ads with light green color close to the color icon environmental issues.

This print ad includes a statement or countdown days in December 2007. These ads also put the name of a cigarette company, Sampoerna and have the word "Green" which could also be interpreted to refer to one of the main products of the Sampoerna cigarette.

I am sad to see the discussion of global warming will have to obtain sponsorship from the tobacco industry. The business and its profits are the majority coming from Indonesia's poor. Perhaps the sadness I continue to dissolve and be a voice lost and forgotten in the noisy turmoil of global warming event later.

This should be an important note, the mirror itself and becomes a question of us all. Environmental issues are common issues. He departed from his conscience and our common sense. What is worthy of global warming event comes from a tobacco company? Cigarettes, however, the toxin and one of the main causes of death. Is not nothing wrong that the global warming program would come from the tobacco industry?

A pile of tobacco industry internal documents they provided a clear answer. Problem tactics, plans, strategies, political lobbying and build awareness about the error and dirty cigarettes.

I am very sorry critical discussion of global warming there are stains and thorns. This becomes a wedge and a slap on the cliches of the world. As if life and life is going on and started from a cigarette.

Cigarette slogan is not lip service. And strength in the cigarette industry in Indonesia indicate that fact. And this is not true. Tobacco industry is seen to make traps and myths. Cigarettes are an important issue of humanity. Life of the cigarette world full of compromise power, deceit and dark strategy.

And it is probably true in the world struggle of cigarettes, as he had been written by Ben Jonson long ago in The Alchemist (The Alchemist) that "Alchemy was a kind of game, Like a card trick, to deceive man, with great charm".

Conrad really loves his home and family and lives life to the full and has been writing about his knowledge and experience. Feel free to see some of his material at Lawn Tractor Attachments and juice Dispenser.

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How Going Green Can Reduce Global Warming

There are many ways going green can reduce global warming. The first starting point is with using renewable energy sources. You can choose a variety of different systems today, and the competition is so fierce that prices for kits and materials are as low as ever. You can find photovoltaic cells extremely inexpensively, and if you buy in bulk the savings is even more substantial. You can purchase all the framework materials at many of your local hardware and home improvement outlets. You also have many choices, such as solar power, wind turbines, geothermal, hydroelectric, and even magnetic generators. The nice thing is that these can be used as independent systems, or can be combined for even more power output.

On a personal level, using renewable energy in your own home can reduce global warming. For one, these sources don't use any fossil fuels, so they don't produce any of the toxins that coal, natural gas and nuclear power plants produce and release in the atmosphere. Because these systems don't use fossil fuels, they are completely renewable, and don't take away precious natural resources. There is no need to worry about where the energy comes from, or the methods used to extract them, like you do with coal.

It's also not just about using alternative energy power systems in your home. There are many other ways you can cut down on global warming at home. Recycling is probably one of the other biggest ways you can reduce your carbon impact on the Planet. Recycling aluminum, glass and plastic make it easier to reproduce more, and it can save half of the energy needed to make these from scratch. Recycling paper reduces the amount of trees being cut down for paper products, and allows them to do their job, removing harmful carbon dioxide from the air, and producing oxygen.

Going green also means conservation in the home as well. Even if you are not using renewable energy resources, there are many ways you can conserve energy and valuable resources. Changing to more fuel efficient appliances for one thing can help cut down on wasted energy. Using Energy Star appliances instead, switching over to inline water heaters, and waiting until evening to use your dishwasher, or clothes washer can save you money and energy. Cutting down on water usage, like switching over to low flow faucets and toilets, and fixing faucets that are dripping will help save water.

Cutting down on vehicle use can significantly decrease global warming as well. Using a bike, taking public transportation, and just walking reduces carbon emissions that all vehicles emit. Switching to hybrid vehicles also makes a big positive impact, and prices of these vehicles have come down significantly over the last few years, making them more affordable.

There are many other ways that going green can significantly reduce global warming. There are an abundance of websites available to show you what things you can do to help the environment. There are DIY solar, wind and magnetic energy power system kits to choose from as well. We all need to do our part, before we come to a point where there simply is no turning back.

Learn more at http://www.africanenergies.com

Jo, R from AfricanEnergies
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The Myth of Global Warming

The very first myth that the earth is warming is that all scientists agree that it is, which is absolutely not the facts. A poll recently taken states that 83% believe that global warming is not taking place and only 17% do. So all scientists do not agree the earth is warming and have data to prove what they believe are the facts. Global satellite data is the best way to measure global warming to check climate measurements. The satellite data, so far to date, since 1979 has shown no measurable increases or any evidence to show that the globe is warming. In fact, the earth experienced a far greater warming period between the 10th and 15th centuries that was designated as the Medieval Warming Period then is happening today.

Medieval Warming Period

The time between the 10th and 15th centuries was a time of unusually warm weather and continued until the 15th century when a cold period know as the "Little Ice Age" appeared. The warmer climate resulted in a remarkable increase of prosperity, knowledge, and new art forms in Europe. Agriculture thrived, marshes and swamps dried up, eliminating breeding grounds for mosquitoes that was spreading malaria and killing the population off at the time. Former wetlands were converted to productive farmland that help reduce infant mortality and increase the population that had been devastated by disease before this time. It is estimated that the European population increased to approximately 60 million at the end of this warm period.

Vikings

Vikings moved from Iceland to Greenland to colonize it and built settlements in Canada. Greenland prosperity reached its height in the later part of the 12th century and the start of the 13th centuries, when over 3,000 colonists occupied over 280 farms. The settlers experienced difficulty in the late 14th century at the beginning of the "Little Ice Age" cooling. The settlements were finally abandoned in the 15th century when it had become too cool to raise any crops. The warming that humanity is experiencing today is simply the result of the emergence from "the Little Ice Age", which was close to the time of the founding of our nation.

Scare Tactics

Of course the irony of all these global warming scare tactics is that a slightly warmer climate with an increase in carbon dioxide (plants thrive on carbon dioxide) is actually very beneficial to the earth, as opposed to having a negative effect. Economic studies, done by economics professor Robert O. Mendelsohm of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, have demonstrated that moderate warming and higher carbon dioxide levels will increase the total value of all final goods and services (GNP), and will increase standards of living, primarily by improving agriculture and forestry. Homes in the North could have heating fuel savings, farmers in Canada could become richly supplied with cod and oil riches, shippers could rely upon an Arctic shortcut between the Atlantic and the Pacific, and forests could expand making available more wood for construction while lowering the price at the same time. This is the conclusion of part one.

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Negative Effects of Global Warming

There are many predicted effects for the environment and for human life due to global warming. The main effect centres around an increase in the global average temperature. It's been confirmed by at least 20 scientific societies and academies of science, as well as all the national academies of science of the G8 states, that the Earth's global average air temperature near its surface rose by 0.56-0.92 C (0.98-1.62 F) degrees during the last 100 years. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that this increase is very likely due to the "observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations, which leads to the warming of the surface and lower atmosphere by increasing the greenhouse effect."

For humans, these changes in climate are particularly dangerous to those who live near the ocean shore and who already suffer from drought, flooding, and poverty.

The IPCC concludes from models that global temperatures will likely rise by 1.1 to 6.4 C (2.0 to 11.5 F) degrees between 1990 and 2100, with the range of temperatures due to the use of differing scenarios of future greenhouse gas emissions and varying degrees of climate sensitivity.

Other effects of global warming include a rising sea level and changes in the amount and pattern of precipitation. In addition, there may be more frequent and intense weather events, such as more intense hurricanes, tornados, tsunamis, thunderstorms, blizzards, etc., though it is difficult to connect specific events to global warming.

Global warming is also causing changes in agricultural yields, glacier retreat, reduced summer stream flows, species extinctions, and increases in the ranges of disease vectors. The increased volumes of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases released by the burning of fossil fuels, land clearing, agriculture, and other human activities are the major reasons why global warming has been occurring and increasing over the last 50 years.

Effects of global warming are expected to cause more changes as it becomes more pronounced; examples include the following projected climate changes (from Wikipedia):

- "A significant slowing of the ocean circulation that transports warm water to the North Atlantic; - Large reductions in the Greenland and West Antarctic Ice Sheets; - Accelerated global warming due to carbon cycle feedbacks in the terrestrial biosphere, and - Releases of terrestrial carbon from permafrost regions and methane from hydrates in coastal sediments."

It is uncertain whether for sure these events will occur or to what severity they will occur if they do, but most believe that the chances of at least one of the above events occurring are likely to increase the longer and more severe climate change becomes.

Some scientific members argue whether there will be positive effects from global warming, but most agree that any positive effects will be greatly outnumbered by the number of negative effects.

Projected climate changes due to global warming have the potential to greatly and irreversibly change our climate that will have lasting impacts on both the continental and global scales. One effect will be increased precipitation, due to the increasing temperature.

As Earth's temperature continues to rise, a very recent report from the IPCC shows that there will be an increasing impact to natural systems and people, especially those who live in Earth's poorer nations. In 2002, Colorado, Arizona, and Oregon endured their worst wildfire season ever. Also in 2002, drought created severe dust storms that caused hundreds of millions of dollars of damage in Texas, Montana, and North Dakota. Since the early 1950s, snow accumulation has decreased by 60%, which has led to some areas of the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington to have shorter winter seasons.

As you can see, effects of global warming are very negative on our planet already, from increased air temperatures to rises in the sea level to more severe storms. Currently, it is a challenge to predict how many effects global warming will have and how strong those effects will be, but most of the scientific community is predicting that global warming will have more negative effects on our planet and way of life the longer and more severe climate change becomes.

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Global Warming Defined

What is the definition of global warming? If the weather - related calamities happening all around you isn't enough to define it then you are on the right place. Our article will help you understand global warming and its causes and effects to the planet and to humankind. We will do this through defining global warming itself. If you want to learn about it, all you have to do is read this article. So sit back, breathe in, relax, and enjoy this article while you can. You need to be enlightened on what's going on nowadays. This article will explain it to you.

Global warming is a global issue that needs to be taken seriously. Everyone living in this planet should be concerned about it. The world is required to take actions on stopping it. However, how can a person understand if he or she doesn't know anything about it? This is the reason why we wrote this article.

Global warming is defined as the phenomenon where the global temperature rises to an abnormally - high level. The rise in the temperature creates a chain effect all over the world and we are all constantly experiencing it now. However, what causes global warming? How can we define it if we don't really know the lowdown about it?

Here's how it happened:

Naturally, the planet has carbon gases present in the atmosphere. The purpose of these gases is to trap sunlight and the heat that it produces. It traps just the right amount of heat that is sufficient to make this planet habitable for all living things, day and night. However, because of man's continues quest to innovation and technology, industries were created. These industries create machines, use vehicles, and most importantly, burn fuel, which produces a byproduct, called carbon gases. These carbon gases are thrown up in the atmosphere in large amounts. This adds up to the natural carbon gas content of the atmosphere and throwing it off - balance. As a result, it locks in more heat than usual. Hot enough to melt the polar ice caps. Molten polar ice caps dump fresh water continuously. This raises the water level all over the world, which floods low - lying coastal areas resulting to calamities and even death. It also disrupts wind patterns, which dictates the weather. This creates abnormal weather schedules, which are far different from what we all use to have.

Global warming is a global catastrophe waiting to reach its full potential and unleash hell to all living being. Let us not let it dominate. Let us find ways in stopping this phenomenon. Be part of the campaign in saving the environment.

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Global Warming Defined

What is the definition of global warming? If the weather - related calamities happening all around you isn't enough to define it then you are on the right place. Our article will help you understand global warming and its causes and effects to the planet and to humankind. We will do this through defining global warming itself. If you want to learn about it, all you have to do is read this article. So sit back, breathe in, relax, and enjoy this article while you can. You need to be enlightened on what's going on nowadays. This article will explain it to you.

Global warming is a global issue that needs to be taken seriously. Everyone living in this planet should be concerned about it. The world is required to take actions on stopping it. However, how can a person understand if he or she doesn't know anything about it? This is the reason why we wrote this article.

Global warming is defined as the phenomenon where the global temperature rises to an abnormally - high level. The rise in the temperature creates a chain effect all over the world and we are all constantly experiencing it now. However, what causes global warming? How can we define it if we don't really know the lowdown about it?

Here's how it happened:

Naturally, the planet has carbon gases present in the atmosphere. The purpose of these gases is to trap sunlight and the heat that it produces. It traps just the right amount of heat that is sufficient to make this planet habitable for all living things, day and night. However, because of man's continues quest to innovation and technology, industries were created. These industries create machines, use vehicles, and most importantly, burn fuel, which produces a byproduct, called carbon gases. These carbon gases are thrown up in the atmosphere in large amounts. This adds up to the natural carbon gas content of the atmosphere and throwing it off - balance. As a result, it locks in more heat than usual. Hot enough to melt the polar ice caps. Molten polar ice caps dump fresh water continuously. This raises the water level all over the world, which floods low - lying coastal areas resulting to calamities and even death. It also disrupts wind patterns, which dictates the weather. This creates abnormal weather schedules, which are far different from what we all use to have.

Global warming is a global catastrophe waiting to reach its full potential and unleash hell to all living being. Let us not let it dominate. Let us find ways in stopping this phenomenon. Be part of the campaign in saving the environment.

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Global Warming

Green House Effect:
The green house effects was discovered by Joseph Fourier in 1824, first reliably checked on by John Tyndall in 1958, and first reported by Svante Arrhenius in 1896.The Green House Effect means when the temperature increases due to the sun's heat and light is trapped in the earth atmosphere. Don't take a soil in the river; it is one of the reasons for affecting the land.

Green House Gases:
The Green House Gases is the process of collecting the heat and light from the sun, with too many greenhouse gasses in the air, such as carbon dioxide (9-26%), water vapor (36-70%), nitrous oxide and methane (4-9%), ozone (3-7).

The Carbon dioxide is out into an atmosphere by the burning of solid waste, wood products and fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal). The ocean is a vast carbon sink, holding about 50 times as much carbon as the atmosphere. Nitrous Oxide emissions arise various agricultural and industrial processes. While the Methane is emitted the organic waste decomposes and landfills or in connection with domestic animals farming. Due to the production and transportation of fossil fuels also generate the methane emissions.

Causes of Global Warming:
The emission of green house gases is the main reason for global warming; it is generally accepted by the world. Global warming has been known for the global group of people, which is called Global Climate Change. In present agriculture places are converted into industry.

Natural disaster is more affected in the people, such as earth quake, tsunami, volcanic etc. The most significant human causes of Global warming are the fossil fuel emissions. In present the forest places are side-by-side destroyed, so have an effect on animals are affected and it reduces rainy time.

Conclusion:
India is second place in the population. Population is one of the main problems in global warming. To create awareness from the public that only reduces the warming. It's our nation, so we take a necessary action to prevent our environment.Those that encourage the global warming or climate variation or green house gases caused by fossil fuels. Another one important is save rain water.

Everyone make a responsibility from the trees, it is way for avoid a deforestation, so now itself every one house has a one plant is helps to coming generation and don't use plastic papers, it causes reduces in land growth and resources.

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Global Warming - We Are The Cause

We tried to find the cause of global warming for years. We kept on looking for things that might cause it and for facts that would serve as a good excuse but the evidence keeps on showing up. No matter how we deny it, the number one cause of global warming is us. We are what make the planet degrade day after day and if we don't address the matter and accept it in all its urgency then we might be facing the end after all. We must all be aware of the actions that we are making. We might not think that it's significant as of the moment but let's not wait for the damage to be irreversible.

What are these human activities that cause global warming? We humans have millions of activities going on every single day and even if we use common sense, it's very difficult to point it out. However, because of years of research and tests, scientists have concluded that the following things are the major cause of global warming in this planet:

1. Fossil - Based Fuel - the most common energy source in the planet comes from fossils. These are extracted from the ground are processed to become fuel. The process that goes with it produces a byproduct. This byproduct is composed of different dangerous gases which are containing carbon and is also carcinogenic. Carcinogens are known causes of cancer but that is not the point here. These carbon gases are blown up in the air, mixing with the gases that are already present in the atmosphere. These gases amplify the ability of the planet to lock in the heat which is supposed to keep living things in this planet alive. Because of that, the temperature rises to abnormal levels. This is what causes all the freak changes in the planet's normal function.

2. Human Electricity Consumption - we are dependent to electricity. It's like an addiction; everything falls apart if we take it away. However, the more we use electricity, the more it is required for fossil - based power plants to burn more fuel. We can't possible just stop using electricity but there is alternatives that we could use in terms of power production.

3. Air Pollution from Vehicles and Machinery - as well all know, vehicles are powered by fuel (gasoline, diesel etc.). This fuel is extracted from fossils and the more we use it, the more it pollutes the air.

The solution to all of these problems is to find alternatives to fossil fuel and right now we have lots of options available for us. All we have to do is to implement it in a global scale.

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Ten Effective Ways to Reduce Global Warming

There are three main approaches to tacking global warming: through policy measures, economic mechanisms and technological changes. These are obviously interdependent and should be tackled simultaneously.

The two big policy elephant's in the room are economic growth and population growth which drive consumption and the release of greenhouse gases. Without subduing these, any attempts at mitigating global warming through technological means alone will be completely undermined. We also need to replace the flawed economic mechanisms which have proven largely ineffective due to the lobbying and corruption within corporations. The technological solutions themselves should focus initially on the sectors responsible for the greatest net warming over the short term. This will give us time to reduce greenhouse gases from other sectors which will exhibit greater net warming in the longer term. We now examine these in more detail.

POLICY ISSUES

1. Educate children about how to live a sustainable lifestyle

However, the science is just the easy part. We are also inundated with the pressure to consume, which makes it even more essential to avoid unsustainable thinking habits from an early age. Children should be taught that sustainability is not just about buying more energy efficient products, but also designing to last, making full use of what we have, eating less, wasting less and recycling more. Above all we need to teach that materialistic gain only produces temporary pleasure, and the route to genuine happiness lies in a less competitive, more co-operative society with strong social ties.

2. Control population through family planning, welfare reforms and the empowerment of women

The world's population is expected to increase from 6.8 billion in 2009, to reach 9.15 billion in 2050, with most of this growth taking place in the developing world. Urgent measures are needed to limit global population at levels which can be sustained in the long term, since our culture encourages everyone to strive for the highest material affluence. Unrestrained population growth is a carbon time bomb, which is now only starting to take effect in South East Asia, with South America and Africa soon to follow. The only ethical way we can achieve this potentially vast increase in wealthy consumers are by minimising birth rates.

Population growth can be controlled through a combination of measures. These include free and easy access to family planning, welfare provision to encourage smaller families, and the empowerment of women through education and freedom to choose their future. In practice, educated women have less children due to career commitments and the social freedom from the early responsibilities of motherhood.

Contraception is almost five times cheaper than conventional green technologies as a means of combating climate change. Each $7 (£4) spent on basic family planning over the next four decades would reduce global CO2 emissions by more than a tonne. To achieve the same result with low-carbon technologies would cost a minimum of $32 (£19).

ECONOMIC MECHANISMS

3. Encourage reforestation and sustainable land use through a combination of economic restrictions and incentives

90% of deforestation is caused by unsustainable agricultural practices, while the logging and plantation forestry play a greater role in forest degradation.

Tropical countries should be paid to reforest net land with natural vegetation, verified via satellite imagery and paid via a carbon tax from industry (see item 4). The price should be set so it is more financially beneficial for countries to reforest and maintain forest habitats than grow crops, biofuels and raise cattle. This system would be far more effective than present financial instruments such as negotiable caps and less susceptible to manipulation since the reforestation would be genuinely additional. Higher latitude countries could be included in this scheme if the combined affect of the carbon absorption and albedo change from forestation reduces net heat gain in these locations.

Further carbon reductions in our biofuel and food chain can be made through changes in our farming practices, such as using crop rotation, no till agriculture, and appropriate fertiliser use. These practices would also reduce pollution in rivers and reduce the degradation of the coastal ecosystems that help to absorb carbon.

4. Introduce a carbon tax and sustainability index for businesses

Corporations are fond of publicising their green credentials, however, these often consist of isolated initiatives with only a limited environmental impact on their business as a whole. It remains the norm for organisations to use energy inefficient offices and send their employees to conferences and meetings that could easily have been accomplished through teleconferencing. Even some businesses which advise on sustainability issues are almost indistinguishable from their clients in this respect. These companies hardly provide a good example!

To avoid this greenwashing all companies should pay a carbon tax. This would allow for the carbon released from heating and cooling their buildings and the fuel used during their employees commuting and business travel. These figures should be calculable from energy and fuel bill receipts, and require only limited additional administrative effort. The monies collected could then be used to fund cost effective carbon mitigation projects such as reforestation, population control and biochar sequestration.

The carbon emitted from each company could also be expressed as a sustainability index in terms of the carbon emitted per employee hour and company turnover. This could be prominently displayed on the corporate literature to ensure each company's true commitment and environmental credentials can be judged with respect to other similar organisations, at least in terms of carbon emissions. Government contracts could also ascribe priority to firms who fall within carbon intensity guidelines, although there may be other environmental and ethical issues to be considered in this choice.

However, this system would not take full account of the environmental externalities of the products being purchased for the business; this could be better addressed through taxes on imports from countries that do not apply these criteria, and regulating practices which contribute to waste, such as food pricing and packaging. While this accounting procedure is far from perfect, it is far more important that carbon calculations should be kept as explicit and as simple as possible to avoid 'creative accounting' and corrupt practices.

TECHNOLOGIES

5. Use of biochar stoves for burning biomass

Domestic biomass combustion is the second greatest contributor to net global warming after transport. This is partially caused by the black carbon emissions (part of smoke) released from burning this source. The atmospheric residence time of black carbon is only a few weeks, while CO2 emissions resides in the atmosphere for more than a century, so reducing black carbon emissions could quickly reduce climate forcing along with any potential feedback effects. Therefore, this is probably the most cost effective short term mitigation strategy available to us.

Biomass is commonly used for cooking in developing countries, often on open stoves producing substantial smoke which can cause health problems, especially if used indoors. Between 25 and 35 percent of the worlds black carbon from biomass comes from China and India alone.

However, there is a smokeless method of burning biomass which has other benefits as well. If biomass is heated without the presence of air, it releases the smokeless, combustible gases methane and hydrogen, leaving a carbon or charcoal residue. Specially constructed biochar stoves can use this principle for cooking. The remaining biochar or charcoal left in the stove can be sequestered in the soil to lock away the carbon, or processed into a fertiliser. This biochar could be sold on by local communities, paid by a carbon tax on industrial emissions as described in item 4.

Modern biochar production can also be industrialised in processes that may produce 3 to 9 times more energy than invested. However, it would be essential to ensure that the biomass was obtained from a sustainable resource and the commodity value is set at a level so it doesn't encourage deforestation.

6. Utilise vehicles more effectively and allow them to use a priority access infrastructure

Road transport is the largest contributor to net global warming of the human activity sectors examined in a recent NASA study, therefore, this should be another priority area for mitigation.

Despite all the technological advances in road vehicles to improve efficiency, the main factor determining the fuel consumption or carbon emissions per person carried is still passenger utilisation, or how full the vehicle is. A typical car will need to carry approximately 20 times the weight and 100 times the volume of the driver it carries. Carrying this much excess weight and space around is an inherently inefficient way of conveying people from one place to another. Similarly, public vehicles can be even more under-utilised than cars. This situation will continue until a more competitive and convenient method of public transport is found.

Utilisation in vehicles could be improved in two ways, by encouraging more people to travel in standard sized vehicles and reducing the size of vehicle to meet a typical journey load.

The first case can be met by developing nationally coordinated car-sharing schemes. Here, car drivers are guided to their destination, via small diversions if necessary, to collect and drop off passengers for a fee using priority access routes such as bus lanes. This allows drivers to bypass traffic jams in the rush hour and reduce their own journey times to make up for the lost time in picking up passengers.

The second case uses small, narrow width cars with the provision of a parallel road infrastructure. These vehicles might for example carry two people lengthways, seated back to back in a reclined position to minimise weight and air resistance. The parallel road infrastructure would consist of side lanes and underpasses, enabling drivers to bypass bottlenecks and reduce journey times.

7. Electrify the transport network and power it from overnight nuclear electricity

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) exhibit no emissions from the vehicles themselves. However, emissions can be generated at the power stations that produce the electricity to charge their batteries, and the overall greenhouse gases emitted will be dependent on the energy generating sources used.

Most studies suggest that switching from Internal Combustion (IC) engined vehicles to BEVs would reduce carbon emissions, as well as improve local air quality. For cars in the UK, it is estimated that swapping from fossil fuelled to electric cars would reduce their carbon emissions by more than half, even when using the current methods of electric generation. However, further reductions in carbon could be achieved by generating more electricity from non-fossil fuelled sources. For example, any increase in nuclear capacity would be best directed towards powering BEVs, since these can be charged overnight and during other non-peak periods. Intermittent sources such as wind could also contribute since charging periods could be varied to match the windy periods.

While BEV range is limited without resorting to extortionately expensive batteries, most trips can be accommodated using relatively conventional batteries. Car trips in the UK involving journeys less than 80km in length cover 97% of trips and 75% of total distance travelled. However, for commuter drivers, trips involving journeys less than 80km in length cover 98% of trips and 88% of the total distance travelled. It is therefore suggested that for some categories of motorist at least, a basic BEV would be a practical and competitively priced proposition, especially as a second car. for longer journeys other alternatives could be made available such as replaceable SWAP modules or a ferrying system where cars are charged while being moved on a specialised car transporter.

Electric trucks and buses could also have their range extended by using an electrified guided trackway, built from underused parts of the rail network.

8. Introduce more incentives for improving energy efficiency in the housing sector

Home insulation grants are available in many countries especially for those on social benefits. However, the rate of implementation is very slow, and requires initiative on part of the property owner to act, so these measures will inevitably be delayed through apathy and inertia. This process could be speeded up using the following methods.

All property owners should qualify for free water tank, loft and cavity wall insulation and draught proofing. This should be heavily marketed to those who have not already installed these measures. The costs should be borne by a government interest free loan payable on the fuel bill for the property remaining with any new owner. If the repayment period is sufficiently long this should generate a continuous saving.

Less cost effective retrofit measures such as external cladding, internal wall insulation, heat pumps, condensing boilers, thermally efficient glazing panels and solar heating could be similarly encouraged, by the same mechanism, although a low interest loan should be used instead. On the other hand the least cost-effective technologies should only qualify for this incentive if they could demonstrate an economic payback period without the use of heavy subsidies. This might vary from location to location depending on the local environmental conditions.

9. Match supply and demand from sustainable energy generating systems

In a desperate attempt to meet renewable energy commitments, certain EU countries have engaged in widespread installations of large wind farms. While these can make a useful contribution to the electricity grid, and can be economically justified if situated in the correct locations, their usefulness is heavily compromised by their intermittency and unpredictability of output. Wind generation requires 100% standby capacity from conventional fuelled generators during calm periods, this renders the whole grid system more expensive to operate since the efficiency of conventional plants are compromised by switching them on and off to meet the variability in supply of the renewable contribution.

These problems can be reduced somewhat by installing a continent-wide high voltage grid which can transfer electricity from remote areas where the wind is blowing, and using stores of hydro electricity and other renewable's when available. However, the disparity between supply and demand will remain problematic unless other initiatives are used.

One solution would be to use wind generated electricity to power heat pumps for space heating in all new build properties, and in particular offices. These buildings would be designed to use the thermal inertia of the walls, ground and underlying foundations as a heat store, so heat is retained during calm periods when there is only limited wind generation capacity. Hence the variable electricity generated from wind farms is effectively stored and released as heat helping to match the disparity between supply and demand.

Existing installations with air conditioning could also use heat pumps powered from electricity, but employ natural gas heating as a contingency during the calmer spells. It may also be possible to use hybrid gas and electric heat pumps to generate combined heat and power (see a later article on this). These initiatives would help to smooth out supply and demand and allow wind farms to be more economically used.

10. Ensure new power plants are carbon capture ready

The inexorable increase in world demand for energy is disconcerting. China is increasing its electricity generation capacity by about 14% per year and has become the worlds largest direct emitter of carbon emissions, partially due to the widespread use of high-carbon emitting coal fired powered stations. To get this into perspective, Germany's entire electricity capacity of photovoltaics is equivalent to only 0.8% of China's increase in electricity generation per year (based on calculations using data here and here)

To stand any realistic chance of reducing carbon emissions, it is essential that we develop carbon capture and sequestration technologies for fossil fuelled power stations and industry on a large scale. However until we get these into operation, all new industrial units should be capable of being retrofitted with carbon capture technology and built near locations where the carbon dioxide can be stored.

Carbon sequestration and capture is neither the most popular, cheapest or the fastest acting option available, but this technology must be developed and installed as quickly as possible to give us at least a chance of controlling carbon from these plants; otherwise the developed world efforts at carbon mitigation will be heavily compromised.

To see the references please click here

Environmental Transport Systems (ENTRANS)
Environmental Sustainability through the use of Integrated Transport Technologies -
A rational approach to building a sustainable transport system
A non-commercial greenwash free Site
http://www.entrans.co.uk/

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