An Inconvenient Truth, a Global Warming

An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore’s lecture on global warming was very amusing. I liked the way he presented the lecture and by encouraging the people to act to solve this global crisis. Global Warming. What is global warming? Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth 's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. Global warming is the world’s main problem. A graph was shown during the lecture pertaining to the ten hottest years ever-measured saying that they have all occurred in the last 14 years and the hottest of all was 2005. Through this graph we can all tell the effects of global warming. Rising sea levels and observed decreases in snow and ice extent are consistent with warming. Al Gore presented pictures showing Mt. Kilimanjaro 30 years before 2006 and the year 2005 and if the earth keeps on heating, within the decade there will be no more snows of Kilimanjaro. The Artic Ocean is experiencing fast meltdown and sea levels will rise. Many parts of the world would be underwater. The frequency of hot extremes, heat waves, and heavy precipitation will increase. News tells us that many people experience heat waves and die because of that. If the climate continues to change, it shall also affect the diversity of ecosystems and shall result to extinction of many species because of higher atmospheric CO2 levels together with global temperatures. According to research, reduced water availability may affect agriculture in low latitudes. Low-lying coastal systems are vulnerable to sea level rise and storm surge. That is why if this continues to happen, some of the countries in Asia would submerge including our country, the Philippines. We are vulnerable to storm surges like what happened during the time of Ondoy and Pepeng. The same also with what happened in New Orleans and other parts of America last August 2005 when Hurricane Katrina attacked.

What causes global warming? Why are we experiencing such crisis? During the lecture, a cartoon video was shown explaining why there is global warming. Sunrays visit the Earth and after they have brought light to it, greenhouse gases attack them and leave them on the outer layer of the Earth’s atmosphere resulting to global warming. Emission of infrared radiation by gases in the atmosphere warms a planet 's lower atmosphere and surface. Destruction of the ozone layer by CFCs is sometimes mentioned in relation to global warming. Carbon dioxide is a major greenhouse gas. CO2 affects our environment by causing 9-26 % of the greenhouse effect. CO2 emissions are continuing to rise due to the burning of fossil fuels and land-use change. Fossil fuel burning has produced about three-quarters of the increase in CO2 from human activity over the past 20 years.

How can we really prevent global warming? Well, there are many ways. We can help to reduce the demand for fossil fuels, which in turn reduces global warming, by using energy more wisely. We can: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Use less heat and air conditioning to lessen the CFCs. Drive less. We can just take bikes or just walk. Avoid using aerosols and pesticides. Buy Energy-Efficient Products. Home appliances now come in a range of energy-efficient models, and compact florescent bulbs are designed to provide more natural-looking light while using far less energy than standard light bulbs. Use the "Off" Switch. Save electricity and reduce global warming by turning off lights when you leave a room, and using only as much light as you need. National Geographic Channel had a program saying for 60 minutes or for 1 hour, all over the world, every household or building shall turn off their lights. Plant a tree. During photosynthesis, trees and other plants absorb carbon dioxide and give off oxygen.

As a student, I can help reduce global warming by simply following this: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. I can do my part by reducing my waste by choosing reusable containers than plastic disposables. I can also save electricity by turning off the lights and electric appliances when I’m not using it. Global warming is connected to global warming because it’s a environmental crisis and the way to reduce it is to plant a tree. That is why there is an agricultural arts subject at school to help us students learn how to conserve our environment. We can also help by encouraging others to conserve. By sharing the information of recycling and energy conservation with our colleagues, and neighbors.

There are signs of climate change here in our country. In the fast few days, we all experienced extreme heat and then came rain. Storm surges are happening like what happened with Ondoy and Pepeng and recently, with Basyang. Flash floods, landslides, typhoons and etc. are not just natural phenomena but also the work of us humans. We are all responsible for this crisis and we are the only ones who can turn it back to the way it was before.

Let us be aware about what is really happening to our planet. Global warming is an environmental crisis and one of the ways to stop it is to plant trees. Even in a young age, we can help make a difference in this world by simply planting trees.

Bibliography:
"Global Warming". Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 14 July 2010. 14 July 2010.

West, Larry. "Top Ten Things You Can Do To Reduce Global Warming". About.com: Environmental Issues. 14 July 2010.

Bibliography: "Global Warming". Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 14 July 2010. 14 July 2010. West, Larry. "Top Ten Things You Can Do To Reduce Global Warming". About.com: Environmental Issues. 14 July 2010.