Global Warming.

Global warming is the increase in the average measured temperature of the Earths surface air and oceans. The temperature has been going up slowly over the last century. People in the UK may be a bit sceptical about this after the summer we have just had. August was the coldest in the last 60 years.

30 different scientific bodies, including all of those in the major industrial countries, believe that the greenhouse gases that are the cause of the warming are man made.

There are some individual scientists who believe that the Suns contribution may be underestimated. Two researchers estimate that solar variation may have been the cause of 45 - 50 percent of the global warming. A 2006 study determined that there had been no increase in solar brightness since the mid 1970s and changes in solar input over the last 400 years are unlikely to have had any significant effect on global warming.

So It is all our fault!!!

The effects of global warming.

The main effects that are showing now are the shrinking of glaciers, thawing of the permafrost, lakes and rivers freezing over less often, the lengthening of growing seasons, the shift in plant and animal ranges and earlier flowering.

Temperatures will go on rising as long as greenhouse gases rise. Rainfall is expected to increase and sea levels are predicted to rise because of the melting glaciers. These seas will inundate low-lying land, erode beaches, cause flooding and increase the salt content of rivers, bays and groundwater tables.

Health

Extreme temperatures can directly affect the health of some people - those suffering from lung diseases and heart problems, the very young and the elderly.

Rising temperatures can increase air and water diseases. Climate sensitive diseases such as malaria and yellow fever could spread. Where water is polluted cholera could proliferate.

Agriculture and Food Supply

Recent studies show that the increase of heat stress, droughts and flooding can have a really adverse affect on crops and live stock. Fire, pests and diseases can spread dramatically.

Is it all Doom and Gloom?

There is good news. Global warming can be stopped but we all need to do our bit.

20 Ways to Reduce your Carbon Footprint.

1 Replace your normal light bulbs with low energy ones.

2 Install a programmable thermostat on your central heating and individual ones on your radiators.

3 Turn your thermostat down 2 degrees in winter.

You will save about 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide a year by doing this. You can always put on another jumper.

4 Choose energy efficient appliances when you replace your old ones.

5 Do not leave appliances on standby.

A TV uses about 40 percent of its energy on standby.

6 When airing your house open all the windows wide for a few minutes.

It is better than leaving a small gap all day.

7 Insulate your home well especially with loft insulation.

8 Use the washing machine and dish washer only when full.

9 Use less hot water.

Install a low flow shower. Wash your clothes on a cooler setting.

10 Recycle everything you can at home.

Buying things with less packaging will mean less recycling.

11 Buy a compost bin and water butt for your garden.

12 Reuse your shopping bags.

13 Plant a tree.

A single tree will absorb one ton of carbon dioxide over its life time.

14 Switch to greener energy.

You can do this by switching to a company that uses solar, wind and water to produce energy. Better still make your own and sell any surplus back to a supplier.

15 Buy locally grown and produced products.

16 Eat less meat.

17 Reduce the number of miles you drive.

Walk, bike or use public transport where available.

18 Keep your car tuned and regularly serviced.

Always make sure that your tyres have plenty of tread. Drive at a slightly slower speed.

19 Try to work from home.

A lot of jobs today involve using a computer and/or a phone.

20 Fly less.

A lot of people in the UK holiday abroad. This is a beautiful country even if it rains a lot!!!

Everyone can do at least some of these things and every little helps to stem the affects of global warming. We need to let our governments know that they must do more before it is too late. For us in the northern countries to be a bit warmer might seem like paradise but it is not good for the world as a whole.