Global Warning
Warning: Global Threat More than 100 million people worldwide live within 3 feet of mean sea level.
Carbon Dioxide levels rise- mercury climbs -oceans warm -glaciers melt -sea levels rise -sea ice thins -permafrost thaws -wildfires increase -lakes shrink -lakes freeze -ice shelves collapse -drought lingers -precipitation increases -mountain streams run dry -winter loses its bite -spring arrives earlier -autumn comes later -plants flower sooner -migration times vary -habitats change and diminish -birds nest early -diseases spread -exotic species invade -amphibians disappear -coastlines erode -cloud forests dry -temperatures spike at high latitudes -heating up -melting down...
What in the world is happening? GLOBAL WARMING IS HAPPENING
The global temperature went up 1 degree Fahrenheit in the past century.
Florida water rose 9 inches since 1930.
Glacier National Park in Montana had an estimated 150 glaciers in 1910. Now there are about 30. In another thirty years, it is predicted, that most or all of the glaciers will be gone and they will certainly have to change the name of the park.
In the last 8 years we have seen the top five hottest years on record.
Ice melting in the artic releases fresh water into oceans, which could change the course of currents that play a vital role in climate. Run off from land glaciers is already contributing to a global rise in sea level. Satellite data shows an approximate 24% decrease in the perennial ice cap in the Arctic at the North Pole. This decrease has occurred just in my lifetime of 29 years.
Large areas of ocean have appeared near Russia, Alaska, and Canada--Some projections show that the ice will be gone by summer 2100 and the north pole will no longer be solid.
Attention: Family and Friends in Florida and Long Island: Tell your children and grandchildren to head for the hills. At best scenario in 100 years there will be flooding at 4 inches, which takes away a great chunk of both Florida and Long Island's coasts. Worst case scenario: This will happen in 20 years and in 100 years Central Florida will be an island, Long Island will be a sandbar, and the Empire State Building will be on its way to becoming the world's tallest lighthouse.
Attention: Family and Friends in the West: Currently there are river reservoirs in the western U.S. that stand at less than half full, such as Lake Powell in Colorado, which supplies hydroelectricity and water to millions living in the southwest. A gripping drought is in its fifth year and if this continues scientists predict drastic water shortages for heavily populated cities like Albuquerque and Tucson in the very near future.
Global Warming is natural but it is also sped up and exceeded past its natural cycle by heavy amounts of gases and toxic emissions that become trapped in the atmosphere. This pollution comes from Industry, automobiles, and coal-fired electricity plants.
New advances in alternative energy--Solar and wind energy and electric and solar powered automobiles can curb global warming. Stronger pollution laws will push companies to do proper maintenance such as the installation of new scrubbers in plants, which can cut up to 95% of emissions and cost as little as 2% of one year's profits. These laws will also DEFINITELY lower cancer rates and improve everyone's overall quality of life. The immediate obstacle: The Bush Administration
:The Bush Administration supports big oil and gas and energy companies that sport hefty contributions to the Republican Party. Bush received $1.5 million in contributions from Big Oil and Gas companies in 1999 and 2000, more than any other candidate in history.
:(There are too many to count)appointed top officials to the White House and EPA who previously worked for and defended oil, gas, mining, and timber companies. This is a clear conflict of interest. Among some of them are: -Dick Cheney, former CEO of Halliburton Oil, owns stock and collects a pension. Halliburton is the company leading the Iraq oil takeover. -Gale Norton, Secretary of the Interior and Protegee of James Watt, who resigned in a scandal during the Reagan Administration and who was notoriously known for being anti-environmental. Norton defended the lead paint industry and has argued that the Endangered Species Act is unconstitutional! -J. Stephen Griles, Deputy Secretary of the Interior is a former vice president of a mining company, worked under James Watt, and was a lobbyist for petroleum, mining, and oil companies. -Rebecca Watson, Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management is a former lawyer for gas, petroleum, and timber industry.
:Federal suits and investigations into 70 energy companies in violation of the Clean Air Act begun by the Clinton-Gore Administration were ABANDONED shortly after Bush took office.
:Bush blamed environmentalists for the California energy crisis for preventing power companies from running at full capacity. The REAL cause of the crisis: Market manipulation by Enron.
:The Bush-Cheney Clear Skies Act is an industry-friendly market-based scam that will allow 50% more sulfur dioxide, 40% more nitrous oxides, and 3x the amount of mercury as the 1970 Clean Air Act.
Sources: National Geographic, NRDC, WWF, Defenders of Wildlife, Union of Concerned Scientists, Sierra Club
For more information on Global Warming:
www.thegalileosyndrome.com
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761567022/Global_Warming.html www.bushpollution.com
http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/climate.html
