Fact: Earth is warmer today than it was in 1900. By about 1 degree Fahrenheit give or take a study. If you look back to the industrial revolution, largely responsible for our society today, there has been a positive correlation between man’s carbon footprint and climate change. Concern of climate change and global warming really started with the baby boomer generation. As we emerged from the Depression and won that 2nd “War to end all wars” our society began to prosper once again. With less people in factories building tanks, more were in college and studying the arts and sciences put on hold by such hard times.
Initial research into CFCs and other chemicals of the 70s found they harmful effects of “modern conveniences” like spray paint and refrigerators to be harmful to the environment. Bad chemicals were slowly phased out of use, but many scientists were left with funds to study the environment and started looking at the world through a different lens.
The late 70s and 80s brought about global awareness common terms like “CFCs”, “Greenhouse Effect”, and of course “Global Warming”. Fed by new studies of climate change and record temperatures, the 90s became the time for change to really take place. Big corporations now had a reason to care about the environment, image. New technologies became implemented and federal funding of research programs showed progress. Leaders of the world started to meet regularly to discuss what everyone can do to help slow or stop or negative impact on the environment.
Many will say not enough is being done. The most recent wave of “being green” has been fueled by Al Gore, the face of “An Inconvenient Truth“. And rightly so, as celebrity and political faces are capable of inspiring millions more so than dry facts from studies or hippies chaining themselves to trees.
Back to my original fact. This small change in temperature has had devastating effects all over the globe. The hole in the ozone layer stretches over parts of New Zealand and Australia. At times, if you do not wear protective coverage outside, you can be sunburned in minutes. On the opposite side of the globe, the polar bear was recently added to the endangered species list. Ice cap melting due to climate change is largely considered the culprit. With the ice caps melting, more water is being dumped into the sea. A raise in sea levels can wipe out may cities, and certain countries as well. Needless to say this would change the game of import/export, coastal real estate, and the accompanying industries of coastal towns. New York City is one of them to give you an idea.
So what are we humans doing to kill the polar bear’s home? Breathing. More seriously, our carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions far outpace the contributions of other species. The burning of fossil fuels releases these gases into the atmosphere. They let the heat from the sun in but don’t let it back out. This is what greenhouses do, making the name greenhouse effect appropriate.
What can we do to at least lessen our impact? We all know these: drive less, get a more fuel efficient car, support alternative energies, etc. You also know that global warming is a real thing, and that we pollute our planet more so than any other animal. You don’t have to chain yourself to a tree, but you can at least make your carbon footprint less than the people around you.
Below are some links for additional reading. They are the popular theories but it is good to be informed.
Wikipedia Climate Change Causes
An Inconvenient Truth
Join me tomorrow as I take you on a journey into other potential causes of global warming!
 By The Weakonomist |
The Weakonomist is the founder of Weakonomics. Clicking the picture of the puppy will tell you more about him. If you like what you're reading consider subscribing to the blog, following him on Twitter, and checking out the related posts below. Please consider a donation if you really enjoy Weakonomics. Also keep in mind that nothing I say can be construed as financial advice. |
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