Could all of humanity be sitting on a ticking time bomb? Could human existence be walking into the arms of its very own extinction? There may be a global crisis threatening all of survival, and it is not the economy.
With most of the focus on the ongoing economic problems, the issues regarding the planet and the environment are taking the back burner. Climate change is proving to be the greatest threat that this world currently faces, according to author, educator, and environmentalist, Bill McKibben. It has become increasingly more apparent in this current world, from hurricanes to droughts to heat waves. It affects every aspect of human activities. Therefore, if not dealt with, this man-made climate change could endanger lives, livelihoods, and lifestyles.
The Earth’s climate has changed numerous times in this planet’s history. But, since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, human’s lives’ have changed significantly. Therefore, according to THE 11TH HOUR, a documentary warning about the dangers of global warming, the relationship between humans and the impact they have left on the planet have changed considerably. Even with the shocking scientific information supporting global warming, many people have denied this theory.
A few scientists, such as, Steven Sherwood, a geologist from Yale University, feel that there has been no rapid increase in global warming and attribute it to a natural phenomenon. They feel that, in fact, this warming is beneficial to human and wildlife, therefore, it is welcome. Scientific research supporting global warming has shown that the polar ice caps are melting. Clear water is considerably present at the North Pole. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have risen and are at an all-time high today, than at any other time in the previous 20 million years.
According to famed physicist and mathematician, Professor Stephen W. Hawking, “One of the most serious consequences of our actions is global warming brought about by rising levels of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels. The danger is that temperatures may become self-sustaining, if it has not done so already.” According to Scientists, we are nearing a tipping point and if we reach this tipping point, we could essentially lose control of our climate. Once that occurs, “things like Katrina-scale events will simply become ‘the norm.’”
The United States, in fact, makes up less than 5 percent of the world’s human population. Yet, it consumes 25 percent of the world’s resources and is responsible for 25 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The major problem is that over the years, gases have increased with pollution, technology and other human activities. For the last 650 thousand years, greenhouse gas emissions did not go above 280 parts per million. Now, that number has risen and is nearing 400 parts per million at 387. This is a large number that scientists say could have “drastic consequences” and must be brought down to less than 350.
Carbon dioxide has increased by 35 percent, while methane has increased by 150 percent. New gases, which have never existed before, have entered the atmosphere. People do not realize that greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere through simple activities like turning on the light, mowing the lawn, microwaving a meal, and even, listening to music. Hawking has stated that, if gases continue to rise at this current rate then “the worse-case scenario is that the Earth would become like its sister planet, Venus with a temperature of 250° centigrade and raining sulfuric acid. The human race could not survive in those conditions.”
Global warming is a subject that is covered extensibly by the media. However, people may not have made the connection. According to the UN, climate change contributes to over 16 million avoidable deaths a year, worldwide. Also, extreme weather disasters are at a high with 16 recorded in the 1960s and 70 during the 1990s, but the early part of the 21st century is showing an even greater number of disasters. In 2006 alone, there were a total of 426 disasters that occurred in 108 countries, which affected over 143 million people and caused $34.6 billion in economic losses. Scientists believe that with weather disasters occurring throughout, leaving people homeless, and health-stricken, that humans will ultimately become environmental refugees.
So, why should you as an individual really care about this? Well, there is a common misconception globally that people can dominate the environment. Many human beings feel that they are above nature and, therefore, an entire rainforest can be torn down to make way for a new highway, without, even just a single thought. Industrialization has become a part of society, making way for new and better things. Therefore, the welfare of the environment has been cast aside. In reality, people must acknowledge the impact that they have upon nature and that they are a part of nature.
Over the years, many have attempted to raise awareness of this global issue from activist and former Vice President, Al Gore to actor, Leonardo DiCaprio. The Green Movement has become increasingly popular over the last years. They have aimed to reduce emissions, orient health and sustainability. They have also aimed at creating a new green economy that lifts people out of poverty and helps create millions of green jobs. The problem is that not everyone has gotten involved nor have they realized the significance of this issue.
People must realize the impact of their everyday activities. Like, every time you power up your computer, you’re drawing electricity from the nearest power plant which is probably powered by coal, oil, or natural gas which produces more carbon dioxide. The average desktop computer needs between 150 and 350 watts of electricity while it is being actively used. If you were to leave that computer on for 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year, it would use over $200 worth of electricity alone and lead to the release of over 1.5 tons of CO2 into Earth’s atmosphere. Turning off your computer, even an inactive computer, for just 10 hrs a day can lead to a substantial amount of carbon dioxide savings.
Did you know that many of your household electronics and appliances use electricity even when they are turned off? This is known as standby or “phantom” power. For instance, the TV uses standby power so that it can be ready to instantly turn on when you click the remote control. Your computer’s printer powers down, but isn’t really turned off unless you turn off its power switch or unplug it. Anything you own that has a transformer plugged into a socket is probably drawing electricity all the time, even when the gadget it’s connected to is not in use.
In the United States, an estimated 5% of residential electricity is used as “phantom” power. According to the Department of Energy, that wasted 5% amounts to an annual energy loss of 64 million megawatt-hours of electricity, an amount of energy equivalent to the output of 18 typical power stations and at a cost of over $3 billion. If we could stop the use of all that “phantom” power, we could keep 100 billion pounds of CO2 out of Earth’s atmosphere each year. The only way to stop them from using any electricity at all is to cut the cord. Not literally, of course, unplugging will do the trick.
But, there are ten simple things that every individual person can do. (1) Changing just one regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb will save 150 lbs. of carbon dioxide a year. (2) Driving less can also have a significant impact. For every mile that a person doesn’t drive, a pound of CO2 will be saved. Walking, biking, carpooling or just, taking mass transit once in while can make a big difference.
(3) Recycling more is one key step to a better world. You can save 2,400 lbs. of CO2 per year by just recycling half of your household waste. (4) Checking the tires on the car can properly improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Every gallon of gasoline saved can amount to a savings of 20 lbs. of CO2. (5) Using hot water can take up a lot of energy. So, installing a low flow showerhead can save up to 350 lbs. of CO2 per year. Also, washing your clothes and dishes in cold or warm water can save 500 lbs. CO2 per year. (6) Avoiding products with a lot of packaging can save 1,200 lbs. of CO2 and cut down garbage by 10%.
(7) Planting trees can significantly help cut down carbon dioxide. Planting a single tree can help to absorb 1 ton of CO2 over its entire lifetime. (8) Adjusting your thermostat by lowering it 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees during the summer can simply save up to 2,000 lbs of CO2 a year. (9) Turning off electronic devices like the television, DVD player, stereo and computer when they’re not be used can save thousands of pounds of CO2 a year. (10) The most important thing you should know is to: Be Informed! Informing yourself on the issues and your carbon footprint can allow you to know how to help and what to stop doing, in order, to help our planet.
There is a simple solution in sight: the individual and the community. In order to make a difference on our planet and reverse our carbon footprint, then everyone must do their part. Our world must transition into a community, working together for a better world.. There must be a mutual consensus among humanity that now is the time to stand up and do something about these issues. There are many organizations that support this change as well as informative websites. Earth Hour and Go Green Initiative are just two of the numerous groups that have joined the fight to stop the climate change.
This is a global issue that could potentially lead to the extinction of humanity. We must all do our part, in order, to stop or slow down this process. A sustainable world begins with us. You control climate change. Turn down. Switch off. Recycle. Walk. Change. Do your part. You can start changing your lives, our lives and our world. The day is today. What will you do?
