Global warming, forecasts and resolutions

By Marcos de Guzman Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer


THE START of the year always brings about a spate of forecast- and resolution-making. At the forefront of the world issues today is the phenomenon called Global Warming.

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth’s surface and oceans, most felt onward from the mid-20th century and seen to have increased aggressively since then. Global surface temperature has already risen by 0.8 percent since the start of the 20th century: but what of it; what’s the big deal? We have temperature changes in Manila that range from 38º down to 24º or the reverse and all we had to do was wear a sweater or shorts.

The forecast

But globally speaking, this translates into something major. Even a one percent change in the planet’s average temperature affects the weather conditions of the whole world, giving rise to the kind of catastrophic disturbances like “Katrina” and “Ondoy,” not to mention the gargantuan tsunamis, all of which may become common occurrences in the future.

A 2-percent temperature change may cause the arctic ice to melt, which will cause avalanches, flooding, erosion and even more deforestation. This will increase the rate of global warming to unprecedented proportions and, at the tipping point, could be irreversible. Beyond that, the temperature rise will intensify, ultimately bringing about the certain death of life on our planet.

Most of the observed temperature increases were the result of escalating concentrations of greenhouse gases, which in turn are caused by human activities like the burning of fossil fuel and deforestation.

World leaders are beginning to map out their courses of action to curb this impending disaster. But how about the simple folk, the homeowner, the builder—are we merely to sit down and wait for their directives? Is there anything we can do now on our own?

SOURCE

COMMENT:
There IS something, each of us can do on OUR OWN. People need to wake up and contribute to the solution, and STOP being part of the problem. There IS something each of us can do. Let's do something, for our children, and their children in generations to come.