Climate Change – What is it?
By Richard Chapo
Climate change is an amazingly simple phrase for such a complex subject. Following, we have a go at defining climate change in today’s terms.
Climate Change – What is it?
In the current day lexicon of scientists, climate modification isn’t really a term of use anymore. The reason for this is that we have come to understand that the effect of the changes we make to our environment will increase the temperature in many locations on the planet, but will also cool a few places. In light of this, the thing you know of as climate modification is actually referred to as global climate change. Over all, however, the world is definitely warming.
We need a simple definition for climate change in relation to the warming of the planet, one that gets the gist without excluding the simplicities. The simplest and most accurate definition is that climate change is the effect greenhouse gases have on the earth’s climate. Greenhouse gases include, but are not limited to, carbon dioxide and methane. While this sounds like a simple definition, there are a couple of key things to realize.
First, climate change is both a natural phenomena and one created by man. Put another way, greenhouse gases are a natural part of the biosphere and would exist if man did not. Indeed, they are a critical component to the existence of life on this planet. If greenhouse gases didn’t exist, the temperature on planet earth would average zero degrees! Naturally occurring gases, however, keep the temperature at a much more livable 59 degrees.
So, if climate change occurs naturally, what is the big panic about? The problem we are facing is the volume of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. These gases act as thermal blankets for the atmosphere. The more gas in the atmosphere, the thicker the blanket and the less heat escapes. Over the last 80 years, we have been pumping massive amounts of greenhouse gases into the sky. At the same time, we have been reducing forestation around the planet, the primary plant collection that sucks greenhouse gases out of the atmosphere. This double whammy is starting to show negative results, the increased heating of our world.
The ultimate question with climate alteration is what will happen as the planet heats up. We are already seeing signs with the retreat of the glaciers. Glacier National Park, for instance, is going to have to be renamed since it has already lost 65 percent of all of its glaciers! While the exact end result of these environmental changes is not clear, we can expect major climatic changes over the next 80 years.
Posted by Janet Schlarbaum
Janet Schlarbaum has been an event coordinator and wedding planner for over 18 years. She travels regularly to create memorable, one of a kind events that are designed to exceed the expectations of her clients.
April 07 2009 | Janet Schlarbaum and Mark Schlarbaum | Comments Off
Suggested by: Janet Schlarbaum
By Wendy Pan
An acre of rainforest is lost every second. That is a huge amount and this deforestation is contributing to climate change for the world. Many of the people who are physically responsible for the logging that takes place in the forests are dependent upon the trade for their livelihood. They feel, in many cases, that it is the only option available to them if they wish to support and feed their families. All too often they are kept in the dark regarding the damage that their work is causing. The task of preventing rain forest destruction is not their responsibility and we must not lay the blame at their feet.
Much of the clearing of the rain forest is to satisfy the Western appetite for commercial gain and economy. Reasoning for rain forest clearance is not confined to the harvesting of the trees for their wood. Many areas are cleared so that the land may be used for pasture for the rearing of cattle. This is the case in some areas of Central America such as Costa Rica. In Central America a quarter of the forests have been cleared in order to raise cattle. Much of the meat produced in this way will be for the fast food market and will be used for the manufacture of hamburgers. Facts such as this are rarely considered but if we are to have any strength in preventing rain forest destruction we must make everyone aware of these aspects.
Obviously one of the main reasons for the felling of trees is for the wood. Woods such as ebony, mahogany, rosewood and teak are all rainforest products. Any furniture made of these woods could easily be substituted for pieces made using wood from sustainable sources. There are many other woods available which are now grown for the purpose of non-invasive felling. These are replaced as they are harvested and the balance retained. Sensible purchasing of furniture with a little bit of thought and consideration could go a long way to preventing rain forest destruction throughout the world.
Worldwide boycotts of uncaringly produced consumer goods would aid the battle to a tremendous extent. If we could stop buying burgers from unknown sources and only support responsible farming practices we could end the clearing of many forest areas. If we could limit our furniture buying to items that are made from wood which has been grown in forests where a plan of sustainable forestation and regeneration is practiced then we would help in preventing rain forest destruction.
It is not always easy to know the source and method of production of all the consumer goods that we buy. There may be a great many companies who are responsible for some practices which are detrimental to forest conservation and without running a complete check on each company we are not to know. However, if we want to stand a chance of preventing rain forest destruction we must at least pay heed to the facts that we know and not be complacent in addressing the situation. Every little action helps and every individual boycott of goods and services that we feel may be contributing to deforestation will add up and make the future for the world a little more secure.
Janet Schlarbaum Climate Change
January 10 2009 | Janet Schlarbaum and Mark Schlarbaum and Schlarbaum Capital Management | Comments Off