Ways to Stop Global Warming
96Help out the earth a little
Whether or not you perceive global warming as a real or even partial threat, there are things you can do to stop its potential onset. At the very least the steps you can take to prevent global warming are good for the earth and oftentimes your pocketbook as well.
What is global warming?
Basically, global warming is the recent increase in the average air and ocean temperature of the Earth as well as its expected continuation. What is so controversial about it is the actual potential for danger and its causes. Though natural events like volcanoes and solar changes have caused small rises in temperatures over time, many believe that greenhouse gas emissions have a large part in this and that even if the emission levels stabilize, temperatures may continue rising for another thousand years or more. It isi projected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that the average global surface temperature will probably rise another 1.1-6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) during this century. Right now the average temperature of the Earth is about 13 °C, or 56 °F.
Increasing temperatures can lead to rising sea levels, extreme weather events and changes in precipitation. Global warming can also affect agriculture and glacier retreat and can facilitate the spread of disease and the extinctions of species.
Many countries have been working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent global warming; some have signed and ratified the Kyoto Protocol for this purpose. However, others feel that this is either ineffectual or unnecessary.
Nevertheless, it is important to get the main idea that the Earth is a precious thing and needs taking care of. Whether the world is going to get flooded out or not, we should take action and make decision for the good of the Earth.
With developed nations like the United States emitting the most greenhouse gases, poorer countries like Africa are at the greatest risk of the effects of global warming. Australia suffers because of the hole in the ozone directly above it. Europe seems to be more interested in effecting change in the effects of global warming than the United States is.
A lot of people are concerned that global warming may mean the end of the world; some consider it “doomsday.” Environmental groups have launched campaigns to inform people of the possible effects of global warming.However, many are trying to downplay the potential risks associated with global warming. For instance, fossil fuel organizations like the American Petroleum Institute and ExxonMobil have launched campaigns reducing the bad image of fuel. The global warming issue has become a somewhat important part of the upcoming presidential campaign, with questions directed toward candidates concerning what they plan to do about it. Al Gore has already shown his interest in the issue with his popular film “An Inconvenient Truth.” Hopefully you can learn more about global warming by reading this HubPage and then be inspired to make changes in your own life that can reduce emissions and help the Earth.
"The Most Terrifying Video You'll Ever See"
Causes of global warming
While many people pinpoint varying causes of global warming, all are gradual and have been happening for years past.
The cause that is primarily noted as the cause of global warming is greenhouse gas. First of all let’s explain the greenhouse effect, which is the process by which infrared radiation is absorbed and emitted by atmospheric gas and then warms the planet. Its existence is positive to an extent, but when human activity strengthens atmospheric concentrations, it can be a negative thing. The main greenhouse gases on earth that contribute to the greenhouse effect are carbon dioxide, methane and ozone as well as nitrous oxide and other naturally occurring gases. The levels of carbon dioxide and methane have increased significantly over the past 650,000 years due to fossil fuels being burned, deforestation and other causes.Currently the CO2 concentration is 383 parts per million (ppm). This is expected to rise as damaging human activity increases or even just continues. Emissions may continue to rise if coal, tar sands or methane continue to be used.Feedback processes also can contribute to the global warming issue. The evaporation of water is a big part of this. Warming causes water to evaporate into the atmosphere and the evaporated water acts as greenhouse gases, thus the cycle continues. This takes a while to be reversed because CO2 has a long lifespan.Clouds can emit infrared radiation back to Earth, which causes a warming effect, while also reflecting sun and radiation back to space for cooling. Cloud feedback isn’t as strong as water vapor feedback.There is also ice-albedo feedback; this is when ice near the poles melts quickly as surface temperatures rise. Land and open water replace the areas where ice melted; these do not reflect as well as ice, so more radiation is absorbed. Thus there is more warming and more melting, etc.Finally, solar variation is considered a cause of global warming. Some researchers, such as from Duke University, believe that the sun may have created 45-50 percent of the increase in average global temperature from 1900-2000 and 25-35 percent from 1980-2000. It is also considered that solar output may have contributed to global warming; the magnetic properties of the sun may deflect cosmic rays, influencing cloud condensation and thus affecting the Earth’s climate. An increase in solar activity may cause a warming of the stratosphere. However, it is considered by some scientists such as Peter Foukal that solar variation combined with changing volcanic activity may have increased temperatures before industrial times but decreased temperatures since. Basically solar variation is a controversial cause of global warming.Global Warming: Doomsday?
Steps To Stop Global Warming
• Drive an energy-efficient car. For instance, hybrid cars run on gas and electricity. The average hybrid can save 16,000 pounds of carbon dioxide (which is considered a greenhouse gas emission) a year! And $3,750 in gas money! Pay attention to the MPG (miles per gallon) of a car you may want to buy. No SUVs! Read consumer reports about which vehicles are most energy-efficient.
• While on the subject of cars, make sure that tires are properly inflated or else you can release as much as 250 extra pounds of carbon dioxide annually. If you have an old air filter, that can also cost an extra 800 pounds of CO2 and $130 a year. Check these monthly.• Check your water heater (or don’t use it at all). Keeping it at less than 120 degrees F can save money and emissions. An extra two degrees can save 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $98 a year! If you go tankless, you can save 300 pounds of CO2 and $390 a year. • Also, don’t use hot water if you don’t need to, like when doing laundry. There are special detergents formulated for use with cold water. You don’t need to take cold baths or anything, but a few minutes early out of the shower helps. Showers account for 2/3 of water heating costs and shorter showers can mean reducing 350 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. Try using low-flow showerheads too.• Speaking of laundry, try air-drying your clothes instead of using a dryer… this can save 700 pounds and $75 a year.• Take care with your appliances. Unplug them when you don’t use them; this saves 1,000 pounds and $256 a year because appliances still use energy if they’re plugged in, even when not in use. You can get a power strip with an on-off switch so you can keep plugs in but they don’t all have to be used. Also try going with blue Energy Star label products.• Look at your light bulbs! Get energy-saving ones. Compact fluorescent bulbs use 66 percent less energy and replacing just 3 regular bulbs can mean saving 300 pounds and $60 each year.• Buy recycled products. Also try donating or selling instead of throwing away… craigslist.com is a great way to do that!• As far as consumerism, try buying products with less packaging! It kills me going through all the layers of plastic covering and plastic wrap and paper wrapping and ties and such! Buying in bulk can mean less packaging and less money being spent. Plus more food is just better to have around.• Ceiling fans are a pretty harmless way to cool down a room without using an air conditioner. It uses less energy and can be considered a comfort.• Plant trees! Not only do they suck up carbon dioxide, provide cleaner air and save 2,000 pounds of CO2 a year, but you can strategize where you place them so they can shade your home. Deciduous trees lose their leaves in the winter so sun can warm your home as well.• Install blinds in your windows and keep windows and doors shut during the day to keep it cooler.• Buy organic. Large agricultural sources use chemicals, which pollute water and require energy to produce. And use cloth bags while you’re at it instead of those plastic bags!We Can Stop Global Warming
Additional information
- Top Three Things to Stop Global Warming
Oprah featured Dr. Michael Oppenheimer on her show a while ago and he presented his top three ways we can help slow down global warming and save our planet. They appeal to us as consumers and make sense. - StopGlobalWarming.org
There are so many ways to prevent global warming and they all start with the individual. These methods are mostly things that apply to our everyday lives and they all help make a difference. - The JustGive Guide
What an amazing list of things to do to stop global warming! Here are 50 ways to prevent it, categorized by what you can do in the home, the office, the yard, the car, the store and your life in general. - 10 Ways to Help Stop Global Warming
Eric Brennan submitted 10 things one can do to stop global warming and separates them into pages based on lighting, appliances and computers, and more. He includes lots of numbers for your information. - Top Ways to Fight Global Warming - US News and World Report
This article provided by the US News & World Report offers a few different tips to stop global warming, including using power strips, buying in bulk and strategic landscaping. Get into action! - An Inconvenient Truth > Take Action
This is the site of Al Gore’s notable film about global warming that has inspired and informed thousands of viewers. Learn more about global warming and what you can do to stop it. - Partners: Stop Global Warming
Here are some different resources about global warming and groups you can learn about and use as an effective means of joining the effort to prevent rising temperatures. Join the virtual march! - Globalwarming.org
The Cooler Heads Coalition is a group of non-profit organizations that encourage smarter thinking concerning global warming and what one can do to prevent it. Watch videos, peruse the research and about solutions. - Global warming - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
As usual, another extremely informative page on a topic by Wikipedia. There is basic information about what global warming is, what causes it, its effects and the controversy surrounding it. - Climate Change | U.S. EPA
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Climate Change site offers information about global warming and how it affects us on Earth. Read about what you can do to stop global warming as well as the background info on it.
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Comments
Great HUB! Well done!
regards Zsuzsy
The way to stop Global Warming is to stop believing the Global Elites Greenwashing Propaganda:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Quote_of_the_day_060507
They're going to tax more and more under this disguise and so life and protection will be more and more costfull:
http://hubpages.com/hub/Whats-really-behind-Greenw
The same who create waste and pollution are the same who make the warning on Global Warming : it's like the Maffia who pretends to protect people for security if they pay more and more.
I am new to hub.....But this hub seems very good one...
Well done you Hub. I like it. But when I see people like "thecounterpunch" oh my God. Get rid of such people. I support the environment with a Solution now with words.
www.ubieepill.com take a look.
With best regards
Dr. Michael
amazing
Nice hub, it is our duty to stop global warming.SAVE OUR MOTHER EARTH !!!
I am doing a research paper on Global Warming and this helped incredibly!
we need everyone to stop global warming
Ice glasiers reflect the sun, why can we not use light color paints on our roofs, cars and buildings to do the same
i like this site very VERY much,
sarah aloso likes this site ALOT!
we
Hey Great Hub. My wife and I have begun watching a lot of documentaries on the subject of global warming and steps to reduce our carbon imprint on the earth. It is a thought-provoking subject, one that we all need to think about and more importantly, act on. Daniel
Much effort and research was put into this hub. A job worthy of praise, my friend. Well done!
Our mother nature is analogous with fruit bearing tree. When you want to harvest its fruits, make sure you dont cut its branches, or cutting the main stem, or the worst - uprooting it. After harvesting we need to maintain it with enough fertilizer, keep off the pest, & adequate exposure to sunlight, so as for continues benefits on the next season. This Hub is thumbs up for me.
Great hub. I'm glad stuff like this is making the top 10 hubs. I was very moved by An Inconvenient Truth, no doubt. One thing that may be good about high gas prices is the fact that cities will become more urban, meaning less suburbs and less driving!
Great hub page! I never knew so much about global warming, so Im glad I came across this.
Glassvisage,
Today most people in the US are concerned with the environment and global warming is on the "hot" list of topic discussions. This is a great Hub offering some facts and information that can add to the education of many on this subject. Thanks.
check out my hub wil next tesla please stand up..my answer to the most terrifing video ever seen
Well done !
any idea to stop global warming is a good idea.but no matter how good the idea is without action it is dead.we need massive action,we need to bring all our ideas into reality,because we really don't have the time to talk and agree on global warming we must act.
respect all for fighting for what you believe in however we need to stop being so gullible
Good work and a subject that is necessary for all public. I look forwar to know more about it
Glassvisage, this hub really got me to thinking.
All your suggestions are good, but they are more likely to save us money as individuals than they are to solve the global problem. As things get tougher economically, more of us will be tightening the belt, and the result will be less energy consumption and possibly less warming -- but not by much.
To have a real impact, there would need to be a lot fewer people, because the current population isn't sustainable using older technologies and greener ways of life. Jerilee Wei has a great hub on how people used to lead a greener life:
http://hubpages.com/hub/When-We-Were-Green-And-Did
Her point was that it came naturally, out of necessity, and not out of concern for conservation. In fact, many of the things our ancestors did in order to live that greener life would have conservationists very upset: killing alligators to make shoes? Cutting down forests to make houses? What about the ecosystem and endangered species?
The abundance of the natural way of life, the one that doesn't destroy the globe, is only possible when human beings are scarce and other plants and animals are plentiful.
Thank you, everyone!
Very good point, Aya. I am very saving-money-oriented :P And how true how chopping down trees and using animal products actually reduced effects like those of global warming
Thanks for ur help becuz of you I had finished my science project.
I'll be counting on you again next time i will be recommending u to my friends.
thanx!
Excellent hub! Very comprehensive-- it's almost all stuff I was already familiar with, but you've put it all together into one place. Great job!
Wonderful information! Great history and scientific data! I made a hub with more ways to go green and stop global warming.
http://hubpages.com/hub/A-Green-Moms-Guide--Everyd
I have no words to say. Excellent
PeterH, what you said interested me. I did some research. If we paint all the roofs on the planet white, then the total global light reflection rate would be an increase of approximately 3%. This might not sound like much, but this accounts for more than 100% of global warming. However, the following fumes produced from the paint would super-increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Obviously, this is bad. Just an idea, though.
love your hub, lots of information and a good resource.
Here is a great idea on how to stop Global Warming.
Quit believing in the hoax.
It is like you are watching the X-Files and you want to believe.......
Both take you to the same place..JUNK SCIENCE.
im doin a research paper on global warming and this really came in handy! thnx!!
While I haven't made up my mind on the man made aspect of Global warming, I am skeptical. There are three problems I have with the man made Global warming theory.
First all of the climate models that predict global catastrophe when run in reverse time do not accurately portray past climates that are known. If it works to predict the future how come it can not accurately portray the past?
Second the most common greenhouse gas is water vapor, (somewhere around 95%!) The carbon dioxide from human technological activity makes up for something less than .2% of the atmospheric CO2. In the article above, it says that CO2 makes up 383PPM(about .04% of greenhouse gas). It seems a bit rash that less than 0.2% of something that makes up less than 0.4% of an atmosphere can destry the planet. Even a small change in water vapor would comletely obscure any change in CO2.
Finally, the most problematic issue I have is the warming seen on other planets. These planets do not have the impact of human activity on them yet their temperatures are rising. How can this be?
My personal suspicion is that the natural warming cycle of the sun increases the amount of CO2 produced by the planet. The data suggesting that the man made causes are correlated to rises in temperature/CO2 is a result of man flourishing during and in part because of this warming cycle. The increase in CO2 is therefore a trailing indicator not a leading indicator of warming and the warming is not a man-made problem.
I am however still open to new data suggesting otherwise and I don't thing the story is closed on either side. Right now I'm on the skeptic side.
Thanks for the comments, everyone. Tazman, I like the concepts you bring up, including the improbabily that "less than 0.2% of something that makes up less than 0.4% of an atmosphere can destroy the planet." Thanks for the time to comment.
Nice one, very informative, great work!
Most informative hub, but I think you missed one of the greatest factors of global warming: Heat Islands ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_heat_island ). Perhaps we need to tear down all the cities and go back to rural/country life? Bring back Little House on the Prairie!
i am doing a reseach paper about global warming!!!!gosh,,i learned a lot from here!!!
Thank you for your comments, everyone! And thank you for the link, Yankee!
This is great! I'm glad people are concerned.
If we don't do something, the polar caps will melt and our earth will flood?
STOP GLOBAL WARMING!
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Great article. Just a note to let you know that I have blogged this article. I hope that's okay with you. You can read what I've written here;
Very nice hub!! Thanks!
glassvisage,
You are focused entirely on global warming, what about global dimming and its counter effect to global warming.
The CFL (Compact Fluorescent Light bulb) is trading Carbon for Mercury.
It is a carcinogen, that requires toxic waster cleanup if broken in your home or business. It is not the simple incandescent broken light bulb cleanup.
MTBE was another trade off for air pollution, it was also a carcinogen that leaked into ground water.
Coal can be made to burn cleaner and with a better method for the coal slurry.
Solar, wind and ocean energy are clean energy. They should have been developed and been made affordable in the last thirty years since the oil crises of the 1970s.
The internal combustion engine is over a hundred years old and it has the lowest efficiency for an engine. In the interim, the hybrid vehicles are great for the gridlock city traffic.
The biggest users and mis-users of energy in this country if not the world is the US Government. It is followed by the state and local governments. Outside the country and beyond our control the products we get from the major corporations generate most of the global pollution.
If the government took global warming seriously, they would have an accelerated plan to get of the oil bottle. If an asteroid was heading for the earth, you wouldn't have ten years to develop a solution.
Al Gore is like the overweight, cigarette smoking, alcoholic doctor that tells his patients to eat right, lose weight, don't smoke and stop drinking. He does this while eating a donut, smoking his cigarette and slugging down his vodka.
The other thing that Global Warming brings to mind is that bad rap that eggs got about high cholesterol and heart attacks. Everyone stopped eating eggs based on the rantings of someone that didn't do enough research to understand the problem. Everyday we get another study that claims this and that is bad for us. The next day another study reverses that previous study.
While we are highlighting global warming, why can't we also utilize the world's most abundant resource, garbage.
HELP OUR MOTHER EARTH PLESE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for taking the time to research this subject so in-depth. I have to admit that I am not always the best, but I have tried hard to take steps to alleviate the footprint that I am having on this planet. It is really not that hard to make at least some changes to help.
this a graet hub ,, but need everyone thing and pleev n it,,,
if not it will B a real hard mission for all,, so go ahead in it friends
more resaerch and more resultes,, INSHAALAH
i would like to help :)
I would really like to help. i'm doing a report on Polar Bears at school and, they need help!!!!!!!
bike instead of drive
I honestly think that people are not aware of how much the world is going through right now, and how much work is needed to keep the planet suriving. I'm writing an essay in school, and this helped me a lot; although I think you should get more numbers of studies that have been done, over all though, it's a good site.
xxx
I think the people in this world don't know what they are doing to our plant,I think people should stop and read this artical and watch the viedos.I think this page was full of INFO and really exciting.
I want every person to leave a comment and read it carefully
A very nice summary hub on a very big problem. Thanks! May I link you your page?
I've put up a hub which gives looks at the beginnings of global warming science--specifically, the life, times & climate work of the great French mathematician, Fourier.
You can check it out at:
The-Science-Of-Global-Warming-In-The-Age-Of-Napoleon
(Paste URL halves together in the browser.)
rubbish facts
I appreciate the list of links that you provide at the end of your article. We all need to be more informed about what we can do about this global challenge. Humans have had the idea that our behaviours and choices would have no impact on the planet: no matter how you cut it, that is erroneous thinking. Alanna Mitchell has written a great book on the topic of global warming and how it is all tied to the chemisty of the ocean. I've written a hub that summarizes some of her ideas. You can find it at: http://hubpages.com/hub/Sick-Seas-How-Alannah-Mitc
http://hubpages.com/hub/energyprogramathome
check out my hub...I've save hundreds of dollars in 3 months...my last bill was $25.79 for electric...I'm not kidding. I think that if you all are really interested in saving the planet, then the products and programs on my hub are the perfect way to do your part. I'm doing it because I know that Cap and Trade will absolutely make energy prices go through the roof! Everyone needs to do what they can to save $$$...good hub...but misinformed on a few things... overall, pretty good... check it out guys.
Thank you!
great hub go to hub know your congressman and contact your elected official on global warming bill 2454 .
One great hub which is informative, accurate, descriptive and generally good as it makes others aware of the effects and impacts lol global warming, and methods to combat this threat towards our planet, and protect civilization and also animals from it's effect.
good hub great information/ contact your congressman and let him know what you think. Web link can be found at hub know your congressman
its great to stop global warming
Very well written hub .....
very much informative ......
Thank you very much for your great hub, for good advice, good wishes and support. Thanks for sharing your experience with all of us.
On the subject of steps to lessen one's carbon footprint, I've just published a hub on low-flow toilets. (Not only do they save water in considerable quantities, they save the energy used to pump that water--most of which is from the electric grid, which is about 40% coal-generated in the US.)
Each individual owe it to the next generation to examine their own carbon footprints and do something about it. Worldwide governments have the money but not the will to tackle the problem so it is down to the common man in his own local community environment to make the difference. Relying on governments alone will never solve the problem. Because it is our unstoppable urges and demands that fuel the engines of industry that are risponsible for polluting the air we breathe.
Thanks everyone! I'm glad that you realize the importance of personal responsibility when it comes to reducing greenhouse gases and helping reduce the potential for global warming. Great!
The first video says it all for me. But I feel that it is everyone's responsibility to do all they can to not contribute to the problem. Mainly because it is all we can do.
Great Hub! Here's one that might be beneficial as well: http://hubpages.com/hub/What-is-a-lahar
Thank you so much! You helped me finish my religon assignment! Thank you!
tis is not rubbish stuff this is serios chiz
u helped me finish my science assingment
i think it's very clever of you to put these thing's on the internet!!
don't only read please maintain it
great job...let us all prevent global warming...heal the world
thanx u helped me finish my english article..:-)
Yup try to stop the planet from it's natural cycle. Good luck with that one . All your doing is intudicing fake taxes for us hard working over taxed people to pay. Plants breath Carbon Dioxide its been around allot longer then Gas burning engines.
Kill all the cows too. They emit the methane that your story confirms is a greenhouse gas.
halu
fuck you bitch
merry christmas
I whole heartedly agree that we should try to stop global warming.
nice job.
barryrutherford says:
2 years ago
Great Hub.