Global Warming and Climate Change; a Problem for every inhabitant of Planet Earth.

Environment

Climate Change; an associated symptom of Global Warming (the level of increase in Carbon Dioxide levels across the planet Earth) has been occuring on an escalating scale since the nearly 700 thousand years ago, and for dozens o f centuries before, it had never risen above that mark set more than 50 years ago. It is clear that the Industrial Revolution is a significant contributor to this increase in global temperatures. Even though, over the past 650,000 years, there have been many momentous glacial advances and retreats, the last Ice Age being 7,000 years ago, the speed at which another is imminent is astonishing. There is clear evidence to support the fact that Climate change is occurring faster than ever before:

1. Sea Level Rise: Global Sea Levels rose by 18 centimeters over the past century, yet half of that rise has occurred over the past decade

2. Global Temperature Rise: The Earth has been growing warmer since 1880. Most of the increase has taken place since the 70s, with the 20 warmest years in this time frame occurring since 1980.

3. Oceans Warmer: Most of this heat has been absorbed by the world’s Oceans, with the top 700 meters of every water mass showing an increase of 0.302 Celsius since 1969.

4. Shrinking Ice Caps: Greenland and Antarctica report about 150 cubic miles of Ice lost among them between 2002–2010.

5. Glacial Retreat: Everywhere across the Alps, Andes, Alaska, Himalayas and Africa, glaciers are retreating at an alarming rate.

6. Extreme events: Everywhere across the Globe, extreme events like hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, floods, wildfires and famine are increasing since the last 30 years.

Current effects are already measurable, as described above. A few unmentioned include longer and more intense heat waves and loss of sea ice. In the future, if left unchecked, the effects are likely to be magnified. These include droughts, intense hurricanes, increase in crop-growing season (frost free season), changes in rain patterns, and finally, complete meltdown of the Arctic.

SOLUTION:

Upgrade the electric grid: Solar, Wind and Hydel should all be incorporated solutions in the workings of every major government by the next 5 years.

Be More Efficient: Carpool, use Hybrids, proper vehicle maintenance, and earth-friendly refrigerators, and ACs.

Stop Tree Cutdowns: Stop the unnecessary removal of shrubbery and foliage.

Get off the Grid: Unplug, Unwind and slow down the hectic work pace.

One-Child Policy.