Global Warming †Myth or Fact? Essay

Climatic conditions have dramatically changed. There are long periods of extremely hot weather and severe cases of drought. Arctic ice is melting and both poles are warming. Oceans are heating up and sea levels are rising. There are worst and widespread floodings. Strong hurricanes, heavy snowfalls, heat waves and mosquito-borne diseases are observed to have been frequent and unusual occurrences. All these are signs pointing to the undisputable fact that there is indeed global warming. Scientific, investigative studies find that carbon emissions trap the heat from the sun and cause the earth to warm up by more than â€Å"1 deg Fahrenheit since 1900† (The New York. Com, 2008). The effects of global warming are serious and pose great threats to life in this planet. Indications are frightening. Actions to combat and control the causes are rather slow in coming and do not have significant support. The figures are grim. For instance, scientists warn of a triple increase in temperature towards the end of this century. If emissions continue, we are to expect a worst scenario in our children’s children world. It is not enough that we know the facts as they are and express helplessness. No matter how dreadful the future of this warming planet seems, there is much that can be done to reverse the direction of things. It will take humanity’s collective will and concerted efforts. Nations must band together and revisit their destructive practices resulting in the onslaught of our natural resources and degradation of the environment. We must all mend our ways before everything gets done a second too late. The United States happens to be the highest carbon monoxide pollutant in the world, contributing one-fourth of the entire planet’s emissions. The US has been conducting studies and researches on global warming. The world benefited from these in that they were furnished the information and knowledge on global warming and more importantly on the catastrophic effect it has on our world and its inhabitants. With equal enthusiasm, the United States must likewise lead the world in arresting our worsening state leading to global warming. The US has the resources to employ to reverse the situation. Unfortunately, the American leaders and its big businesses do not fully support measures that would make the country switch from fossil fuels to biofuels and other alternative renewable energy sources. True, Al Gore received the Nobel for his campaign. He has been going around the world to urge nations to do something about global warming. Great! But first he must ensure his own country and countrymen are doing that. President Bush’s Energy Program is not comprehensive enough and has been carried out in trickles. A Clinton initiative on strict energy efficiency requirements for air conditioning and heating units for homes is an excellent first step. The forecasted reduction in emissions is significant and very encouraging to replicate. â€Å"51 million metric tons of carbon equivalent to 34 million cars off the road for a year† can be realized. (NRDC, 2007). It is incumbent upon governments to enact laws that would regulate the operation of coal-fired power plants, require the use of biofuels and alternative renewable energy sources, give car makers tax incentives for manufacturing fuel efficient vehicles, and fund research and development for alternative environment-friendly energy sources. People must opt for energy-efficient appliances and conserve energy at all times. Halting global warming is a shared responsibility, commitment and drive of both the government and the people. Global warming has come upon us like a war which must be won at all costs. Nations rallied for the cause of freedom in Vietnam and Iraq, why can they not once again come together as a new coalition of the willing for the greatest cause of all time – saving Planet Earth so that mankind will survive. Reference climatehotmap. org. (1999). Global Warming: Early Warning Signs. Retrieved April 19, 2008, from http://www. climatehotmap. org nytimes. com (2008). Global Warming. Retrieved April 19, 2008, from http://topics. nytimes. com/top/news/science/topics/globalwarming nrdc. org (2007). Issues: Global Warming. Retrieved April 19, 2008, from http://nrdc. org/globalWarming/f101. asp nrdc. org (2007). Issues: Oil and Energy. Retrieved April 19, 2008 from