Let's Talk About Global Warming

Melting polar ice caps, extinction of endangered species, worsening air pollution, wildfires, droughts, spread of diseases. These are all frightening effects of global warming that make me want to takepart to further reduce my personal contribution. What do they mean to you?

Well, you could be part of the 1/5 of the general US public that doesn't believe global warming is happening. Yes, it's not just Sarah Palin and Dick Cheney who are the naysayers but a whopping 60 million Americans. I think part of the problem is the phrase "global warming." An increase of one or two degrees on the planet will have drastic effects on its delicate ecological balance but people might be able to ignore (to some degree) how it affects their daily lives. And, some people might think that having Miami Beach weather in Seattle might be a good thing (though I don't know if culturally people in Seattle would be happy about that). However, global warming doesn't mean warmer temperatures everywhere. It means chaos on the planet with warming in some places, colder temperatures in others and a complete churning of the intricate, delicate balance of nature.

The report also said that the majority of Americans do not think global warming is caused by human activities. Again, this is shocking and disturbing but seems to show that the Bush PR machine has been successful.

So, what can you, a global warming "knower", do to change public attitudes? Start talking! Talk to global warming skeptics. Write letters to your local newspaper editor. Contact your local radio and TV stations. Call your politicians and ask them to introduce legislation to curb emissions.

It is critical for our country, the world's second largest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions, to make massive reductions. We need to have the overwhelming majority of our population support drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, which means we need an educated public. Learn more to get background information and talking points, from the websites below. Let the great global warming conversation begin!

Grist

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Natural Resources Defense Council

Stop Global Warming

Union of Concerned Scientists

(Photo: Woodleywonderworks)