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What is Global Warming?Global warming refers to the increase in average temperature near the earth's surface and in it's oceans causing the greenhouse effect. Much like the effect of a garden greenhouse, heat easily penetrates through the glass but remains trapped inside causing the temperature to rise. This is ideal for the gardener wishing to extend to growing season. However, the planet has no surrounding glass. Instead, the heat is trapped in the atmosphere by various gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and water vapor, hence the "greenhouse effect". Gases such as these are necessary to sustain life here on earth, otherwise the planet would be much too cold. Unfortunetaly, too much of a good thing can also be detrimental.
How does global warming effect the weather?Global warming raises the temperature in the oceans which creates the energy needed to feed massive storms and hurricanes. Hurricanes are categorized with numbers from 1-5. The warmer the water, the higher the rating. Hurricane Katrina was ranked a 5, and we all know the path of destruction she left. When the ground is hot, it causes droughts and wildfires. This heat also melts the glaciers which has the potential to flood coastal communities possibly submerging them completely. As you can see, global warming is a real phenomena with real consequences. World governments have undertaken programs to cut back on greenhouse gas emmisions, however, this endeavor must be a global mission with all individuals participating. Although individual action may seem trivial, the cumulative efforts can be massive.
What can you do?Here are only a handful of what you can do to help in the fight against global warming. -support the production of hemp products (one acre of hemp absorbs 5 times the amount of carbon dioxide than an acre of forest) -reduce the use of transportation -use energy efficient appliances -switch traditional bulbs to fluorescent lights -run vehicles on renewable ethanol selections or bio-diesel -re-use and recycle -become "carbon neutral" -save on water consumption
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