Fact Sheet on Global Warming
What is the Greenhouse Effect?
Emissions from cars, factories and homes produce carbon dioxide and other gases that build up in the Earth’s atmosphere, trapping heat from escaping back into space and raising the Earth’s temperature to levels not seen in hundreds of thousands of years. The average temperature of the Earth has risen about 1 degree F the last century (4 degrees at the poles!) and is predicted to rise by as much as 10 degrees in the next century. That is the greatest temperature change since the last Ice Age! Because carbon dioxide lingers in the atmosphere so long, it’s like trying to turn around a supertanker. By the time the effects are too obvious to deny any longer, it may well be too late. When the climate changes, it may not be gradual, but a sudden, catastrophic "snap."
Is there any proof, or is this politically-correct "junk science"?
Global warming is not just a theory, but an observable fact supported by a mounting body of evidence. It is not a future threat but is operating right now, producing changes in planetary systems. Consider:
1998 was the hottest year in recorded history, beating the old record, set way back in... 1997.
The ten hottest recorded years all took place since 1980.
The Arctic ice cap is melting. Last year saw open water at the North Pole for the first time in a million years.
The Antarctic ice sheet is breaking up, with pieces as big as Larimer County calving off in 1998 and 2000.
Permafrost is melting in Alaska, damaging roads, homes and other structures...like oil drilling equipment.
The snow-covered mantle on Mount Kilimanjaro, a well-known symbol of Africa, will disappear in 15 years.
Glaciers are rapidly retreating in Montana’s Glacier National Park, in Greenland, the Andes, everywhere.
Coral reefs are bleaching and dying out due to warming ocean waters.
Plant and animal species are migrating in response to changing climate.
Recent years have seen record floods, droughts, heat waves, hurricanes and other "natural" disasters.
Satellite data confirms buildup of greenhouse gases.
What are the likely effects?
Carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere will double by 2070, raising sea levels up to 3 feet, inundating coastal areas and causing millions of people to flee. It will be bad enough when coastal US cities like LA, NY and New Orleans are below sea level (and where do you think the inhabitants will move to?) but countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia and small island nations may become largely uninhabitable.
Likely climate change effects include greater extremes of heat and cold, more floods, droughts and severe weather, spread of diseases, weeds and pests, and unprecedented strain on ecosystems like forests, wetlands, and coral reefs. Political systems will also be strained, possibly beyond their breaking point.
Although the wealthier nations, led by the US, are the main culprits, the main victims will be poorer, less developed nations with less resources to respond to the crisis.
What has been the US response?
The Kyoto Accords committed the US to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by only 7%. The US produces one quarter of all the greenhouse gases in the world, and uses twice as much energy per capita as Europe does. We could easily meet our targets by requiring SUV’s and trucks to meet fuel efficiency standards, and switching our $20 billion annual subsidy from fossil fuels to solar energy, wind power, hydrogen and fuel cells. Yet to please his corporate backers in the coal, oil, gas and auto industries, President G. W. (Global Warming) Bush has abandoned our Kyoto commitments, reneged on his campaign promise to regulate carbon dioxide emissions, proposed oil drilling in wilderness areas, and slashed the budget for renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.
What can we do?
If you love this planet, if you love your children, start raising hell!
Contact President Bush and DEMAND he reverse course and fight global warming. Call 202-456-6213, e-mail president@whitehouse.gov, or write to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC 20500
Contact your Senators and Congressional reps with the same message. Capitol switchboard: 202-224-3121. On the web at www.senate.gov or www.house.gov,
The Platte River Power Authority wants to build a second coal-fired generator at Rawhide. Tell PRPA to switch to clean wind energy production. Call 226-4000 or on the web at www.prpa.org
Take action personally to reduce energy use, waste and overconsumption.
Join the Poudre Valley Green Party! We meet the second Thursday each month at 7 pm at the Poudre Fire Authority offices, 102 Remington St., Fort Collins.