Avatar, 3D TVs and 3D content are hot topics recently, but there is another topic burning things up and that is climate change. The hot topics should be Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Methane (CH4), which are the main greenhouse gases (GHG), contributors to global warming. Over the last century the Earth has warmed approximately one degree Fahrenheit. While parts of the world have averaged an increase in temperature as much as four to seven degrees Fahrenheit (three to four degrees Celsius) in the past 50 years. What is happening about this crime
In the end, the countless hours of deliberation and debate about climate change feels at times like an endless Thanksgiving dinner with two families whose members can barely stand each other, and where the politicians and experts are still too far apart to make a deal on anything beyond minor matters. Meanwhile, the world is being metamorphosized by the destructive power of global warming.
Take Asia for example; Asia is a very diverse and complex ecosystem, which spans polar, temperate, and tropical climates and is home to over three billion people. As the climate warms, many mountain glaciers may disappear and the northern forests are likely to shift further north. Due to rapid population growth, development in countries such as China and India will put additional pressures on the ecosystem, which will lead to a rapid rise in the release of GHG into the atmosphere unless measures are taken to prevent harmful emissions.
Furthermore, looking domestically, with the rapid changes in South Korea's maritime climate, fisheries and consumers are calling for a more accurate assessment of global warming and its impacts on the ecosystem. The fisheries are definitely no exception, many Koreans are disappointed to see dwindling catches of winter fish such as pollock, herring and cod, which have long been an essential part of the country's wintertime cuisine. Also, half of South Korea's forests may be vulnerable to global warming.
Unless the world combines to take decisive action, climate change will wreak havoc on our planet and reshape our home that we call Earth. The risks have been becoming apparent to us for awhile. Today, the facts have begun to speak: a decade or two have been the warmest on record. Not to mention, the ice-caps are melting and last year's oil and food prices have skyrocketed to provide even further future mayhem for our society. Quoted from a scientific journal, "The question is no longer whether humans are to blame, but how little time we have got left to limit the damage. Yet so far the world's response has been feeble and half-hearted."
The effects of climate change are now clear and inevitable. Indeed, we are already seeing an increase of drought, floods and extreme weather events in many regions around the world. Thus, more devastation still lies ahead. Meanwhile, politicians are being sworn in and listened to, even though most of them have no familiarity or understanding of the science of climate change. Moreover, using fear to create mass hysteria makes it very difficult to make calm rational decisions about issues at hand.
Although there have been impressive efforts made to curtail CO2 emissions by many business leaders, and millions of individuals throughout the world. Also many national, regional and local government officials have tried to strive towards cutting down CO2 emissions. Leonardo da Vinci, a Renaissance genius claimed, "I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do." How true this is, the power to transcend lies in us, but not to turn a blinds eye on the problem or rely on others to solve it. We must make the initial step for change. Here are a few steps to fight against global warming: one way is to install a programmable thermostat, which allows you to control the temperature while you sleep. This could save you roughly US$100 on your energy bill. A second way is to recycle at home, which can save about 2,400 pounds of CO2 per year. A third way is to try car sharing. If that is not possible start a carpool with your coworkers or classmates.
Through this disparity is it possible to hope for a glimmer of progress towards climate change. Global Warming has many causes, but only one solution, the power lies within you. Turn your lifestyle to green.
