How many tornadoes, hurricanes, extraordinary rain storms, atypical snows or blizzards, drought and floods, must we experience before we all admit that climate change is real, and that these changes MAY be caused by the amount of fossil fuels we burn?
The latest occurrences of tornadoes in Joplin Missouri last Sunday evening, and across Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia several weeks ago, just add to the long list of “natural” devastation and heartaches—Greenburg, KS, Parkersburg, IA, Nashville, TN, St. Louis airport, Fort Smith, AR, Pierce City, MO, Stockton MO, Moore, OK (twice)—even Salt Lake City, UT.
And the list of destructive hurricanes is long—Katrina, Rita, Andrew, Hugo,
Gustav, Ana and Ike—just to name a few.
With basic understanding of the physics of light and heat—reflection, absorption, emissivity, specific heat, thermal expansion and contraction—one can hypothesize that earthquakes and volcanoes are caused by the one or two degree increase of the average temperature of the Earth.
No, I cannot prove these statements and phenomenon with certainty, but if we wait for absolute statistical proof, our world and the ecology of it may be beyond the tipping point for recovery by animals and plants, including human beings. It is well documented that Earth is a degree or two warmer; that the glaciers and ice caps are melting, and the global ecology is changing—to these facts, literally thousands of scientists agree. Because of the accumulation of carbon dioxide and other gases in the outer atmosphere, there is more thermal energy retained on Earth.
Does each of us have the right to just wait and RISK going beyond this ecological tipping point? Are there things each person can do to assure sustainability?
Fortunately, there ARE clean and sustainable solutions. It starts with the realization that there is a problem, followed by personal commitments and behavior that will drive change— by individuals, families, corporations and governments. This can be done through conservation, advances and implementations of internet smart-grid technology, and increased efficiency in the performance of cars, trucks, air conditioners, homes, commercial buildings and manufacturing will lead to favorable economics and affluence for more people. Reduced energy loads in the future will provide for a greater impact from clean energy generation with wind, solar, geothermal, biomass, water power and fuel cells and thus assure sustainability for us and future generations.
The debate should be over—saving energy is just the right thing to do.
Orlo Stitt
Not a choice anymore, we all must face this head on and make changes in our lives to work with Mother Nature instead of against her. Small changes can have big results! Very interesting blog, please share pictures... we want more!
ReplyDelete