What the experts say:
First of all, we're looking at climate change on a scale that hasn't happened in 650,000 years, maybe more. Second, we're looking at climate change that's happening much more quickly than ever before, which will make it much harder for ecological systems and for humans to adapt. But third, we must recognise that the Earth has been through some truly horrific climate changes in the past and ask the question why we would willingly bring such change on ourselves.
James P. Leape - Director General of the WWF.
A lot of the people who are campaigning against action on climate change - because they say it's not true or it's not to do with people, and even if it is to do with people, then we shouldn't worry about it because it's going to do so much damage to the economy that we should let the pollution just carry on emitting from power stations and vehicles - the people who say that mostly aren't coming from a scientific perspective.They're working in a political context, and what they're trying to do very often is to protect a particular industry.
Tony Juniper - Executive Director of Friends of the Earth and Vice-Chair of Friends of the Earth International.
30 years ago we were talking about the little ice age that was coming, and now it's warming and I think there's a lot of misinformation out there.
Peyton Knight - Director of Environmental and Regulatory Affairs for the National Center of Public Policy Research.
If the system Gaia is compromised - and it has been compromised quite a few times in the past - we know what happens. The carbon dioxide in the air builds up, and the temperature goes up with it, and it can go up by as much as 8C (14.4F). Gaia will respond as it always does. It has a goal, and it has had from the beginning - to keep the planet habitable for whatever life forms happen to be in its contemporary biosphere. It will respond to what we are doing, global change, by moving to the hot state that it was in the last time - 55 million years ago - and stay there for anything up to 200,000 years, slowly sinking back to normal.
Dr. James Lovelock - distinguished scientist and originator of the Gaia hypothesis.
Explanation of Gaia: In simple terms, the whole of planet Earth - biosphere, atmosphere, lithosphere and hydrosphere - can be thought of as one giant living organism. Here 'living' is meant in the sense that the hole system appears to have evolved together and to be self-regulating. Mechanisms which keep conditions stable are described as homeostatic. The Gaia hypothesis suggests that it is the interactions between living organisms and each other and with the atmosphere and oceans, that have kept conditions more or less stable for the last 3.6 billion years.
Considering that the climate has remained stable since humans developed civilisations, we have formed a very intimate way of living with the current climate, but since the 1700's the levels of greenhouse gases have been increasing, that is undeniable as they are produced during the combustion of fossil fuels. With increased global industrialisation in the last 100 years and the global population increasing ten-fold since the 1700's and its set to increase by 40% t0 50% by the middle of the century - these greenhouse gas concentrations are going to increase and the blanket of greenhouse gases will get thicker. Which will, in turn, increase the amount of solar radiation reflected to the Earth's surface and re-radiated into the atmosphere - which is very simply the global warming phenomenon.
Increases in populations come with increases in greenhouse gas emissions, just look at how China's emissions have changed in the last 20 years (although still very far behind the USA and Canada per person, considering there are 3 times as many people in China though...) and everyone realises the population growth that has occurred there. We can't control populations so to an extent we can't control our emissions enough to stop global warming. But we can definitely slow it down. It is possible to reduce the effects significantly but scientists say we have 15 years to act before it's too late.
With the many skeptics still out there arguing against the cause of climate change - it is unlikely that we will be able to do enough unless they realise how detrimental climate change will be to the human race as a species if left unchecked.
The media is also playing a role in the understanding of climate change as they like 'sensational' stories on global warming because there is a lot of attention on it. So many scientists aren't being heard. Funding even seems to find its ways only to scientists who are willing to promote certain scientific models and studies. Until this changes we don't have much hope of stopping global warming.
This by no means constitutes dsicontinuing our own individual efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, become more energy efficient and in all, environmentally friendly. There are many things we can do to make our homes energy efficient, with a little investment. Is that investment worth it? In the long term is it yes, hundreds can be saved each year by spending a few hundred $'s or £'s once and it is worth buying high rated appliances for the home to further reduce your energy bill.
But, this alone is not enough, as well one doing the above, and that outlined in the list below, we need our governments and organisations take more action. Canadian Liberals and UK Conservatives 'going green' to try and get more votes is all very well but they have a vested interest in 'going green' which weakens their credibility as a potential ruling party. Will they really do what they promise when they come into power? Or once they are in power will they find the resources and money aren't available to achieve their 'green goals'? This is why if and when I'm confused as who to vote for in an election, I vote for the Green party. I still go out and cast my vote - which is better than not voting at all. It's unlikely that a green party will come into powe anytime soon but it would be nice for them to have more of an influence in government.
What would you do? Vote for a minority party that supports alternative energy and the environment? Or, Not vote because you remained undecided between the main parties or can't make sense of campaigns by other parties?
We live in democracies, we still have a voice and in numbers the echoes ripple through government, so I would encourage your support of online petitions, and 'green' charities.
20 Ways You can 'Go Green'.
1) Turn it off when not in use (lights, television, DVD player, Hi Fi, computer etc.)
2) Turn down the central heating slightly (try just 1 to 2 degrees C)
3) Turn down the water heating setting (just 2 degrees will make a significant saving)
4) Check the central heating timer setting - remember there is no point heating the house after you have left for work!
5) Fill your dish washer and washing machine with a full load - this will save you water, electricity, and washing powder.
6) Fill the kettle with only as much water as you need.
7) Unplug your mobile phone as soon as it has finished charging.
8) Defrost your fridge/freezer regularly.
9) Do your weekly shopping in a single trip.
10) Hang out the washing to dry rather than tumble drying it.
11) Go for a run rather than drive to the gym, or of course run to the gym.
12) Fit energy saving light bulbs.
13) Use the bus or a train rather than a car.
14) Reduce your consumption of meat.
15) Don't buy bottled water if your tap water is safe to drink (especially if it has been shipped from far away)
16) Buy local fruit and vegetables, or even try growing your own.
17) Don't buy fresh fruit and vegetables which are out of season, they may have been flown in 18) Try to buy products made closer to home (look out and avoid items that are made in the distant lands)
19) Recycle as much as possible.
20) If you have your own printer, use recycled paper and have your cartidges refilled instead of throwing them away.
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