global warming

Over the last 50 years, global warming has increased tremendously. Scientists can only think that it will continue to increase as large amount of carbon dioxide continues to be released into the air. As a result of global warming, polar ice caps have melted, there are more floods, and deadly tropical diseases like malaria have doubled. What are humans to do? Save energy, not have those notions of one person to a car, recycle, and not be wasteful. Easy, right? Well, if it was, then global warming would not be as bad as it is.

Are you the type of person who leaves plugs in the outlet? Just about everyone has a cell phone. From grandma, to little kids just starting the 1st grade, it seems that cell phones are the growing trend. If everyone leaves his/her charger in the outlet, that is a lot of energy being wasted. Other things are being left in electrical outlets as well: blow dryers, toasters, or even the game systems we know and love. That energy is being used, but not really “being used”. If you can take the time to unplug those items, you are not only saving energy for the planet, you are also saving money on your electric bill.

Not only has global warming affected the earth, and soon the people on it, but it has affected the wildlife in ways unimaginable. Populations have changed, and if this continues, ecosystems will be incredibly different. We all know and love bears. Well, scientists predict that as it gets hotter, the bears will have to migrate to a colder place. Bears need a tundra climate to hibernate, and you can only find that in the north. If we let this continue, we will get to a point where they will have nowhere to migrate. Other types of animals that are sensitive to heat are in danger, with this trend, it could get to a point where these animals will die out.

Recycling is another way to help the earth. But who has time? Many people do not feel as though it is important enough to drive to a local store and spend 10-15 minutes putting bottles in a machine and, for most states except Michigan, only getting 5cents a can. People these days don’t have the motivation it’s almost pointless to them. But I guess that’s because people don’t have enough information about it. What do I mean? Well, the average time it takes to successfully decompose a plastic can is about 5-10 years (depending on size). That is excess space in landfills that could be used for things that can be decomposed fast, like food. So I think it’s worth it to recycle, being able to use old material and make it new is a lot more beneficial than using more material to make what we could have re-used.

Global warming is an epidemic that is not only going to affect us, but our future generations as well. Endangering wildlife is just one effect of global warming, but there are many more. We all have heard of karma, “What goes around comes around,” global warming will come back and bite us. And maybe after reading this you’ll try to help for a week, then get tired and just stop; Before you do think about what you’re doing, it’s going to get worse, maybe not right this second but soon. The least you can do is recycle that Starbucks coffee cup you are drinking right now.




Citations


"Climate control pro shares energy advice at meeting in Wisconsin." The Daily Reporter (July 12, 2007): 1

Hart, David. "Feel the burn: global warming will affect wildlife and perhaps, eventually, hunting opportunities. (THE Outfitter: HUNTING NEWS, TIPS & INSIGHT)." Hunting 35.5 (August 2007): 18(2).

Jordan, Stuart D. "Global climate change triggered by global warming: Part 2." Skeptical Inquirer 31.4 (July-August 2007): 37(4).

Stone, John. ""Global warming" scare-mongering revisited." National Observer - Australia and World Affairs 72 (Autumn 2007): 19(14).