CLIMATE CHANGE - A WORLD PROBLEM

CLIMATE CHANGE

A WORLD PROBLEM

Global warming is the theory that the gases CO₂, methane, water vapour and ozone are collecting in the Earth's atmosphere and are heating the planet. This effect, which is mostly caused by the relation of CO₂, is also called the Greenhouse Effect. CO₂ is released by the burning of fossil fuels, which are essential for human beings - at least nowadays.

There are many theories about the global warming, but only one is unanimous: Global temperatures have risen about 1°C since the Industrial Revolution in the mid 1800s. Compared to climate changes in Earth's history this is frighteningly fast. And scientists found out that climate changes have always been linked with CO₂ emissions, which are a world problem in the 21^st century. So many oil companies point to the ice age, saying natural climate changes can happen. In fact, the upcoming global heating is caused by the humans.

In the last years, scientists found out that the level of flooding, rising sea and rain- and snowfall is increasing and also calculated that a temperature increase between 1 and 3 °C would cause a rise of the sea level between 15 and 120 cm, which is possible within the next 100 years. Any area 2m above sea will be at risk in only 30 years time. This would mean that lots of important cities like New York, Boston, Miami and Washington DC could soon be submerged in water.

But the effects are even bigger. Hundreds of millions of dollars would be necessary to develop unnatural beaches all over the globe to keep the tourism alive. The Everglades in Florida would be as endangered as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Russia and Canada would be endangered by forest fires and pest attacks because of their CO₂ -trapping forests. And while lots of endangered animals would instinct, the Mosquitoes would spread through the expanding tropical climate and spread malaria and yellow fever.  In fact a climate change would also be a change for human life as we know it.

The USA have got a very important role in the global warming. While George W. Bush is holding speeches against terrorism, the U.S. leads the world in CO₂ emissions by releasing at least 25% of the planet's man-made greenhouse gases. So many U.S. citizens want Bush to be the leader of the issue "World problem climate change". But up to yet, Bush has managed to pass this responsibility.

The major problem concerning this issue are the power plants, which are responsible for 33% of total greenhouse gases emissions. So it is important to lobby the governments worldwide to get companies to use renewable energy sources. There are many groups fighting for that worldwide, like Greenpeace, the WWF and Friends Of The Earth.

But at least as important as this are everyday actions. All means of transport release about 34% of the CO₂, so it would be much better to take the bike to work or to school, or at least to use public transport.

Also companies are working for pro-environment products. So GM, Toyota and Mercedes Benz already produce exhaust-free cars, and even energy-conserving light bulbs are sold.

So, on fighting the climate change by using those and lots of more methods you will know that you did the best to make the world a better place in some years' time.