2. WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING > Global Warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans. > > The global average air temperature near the Earth's surface rose 0.74 ± 0.18 °C during the hundred years ending in 2005 . Global Warming is caused by adding excessive amounts of Anthropogenic Greenhouse Gases to the atmosphere which prevents heat from escaping the environment. > Increasing global temperature will cause sea level to rise, and is expected to increase the intensity of extreme weather events, that might result in floods, glacier retreat, species extinctions and increases in the ranges of disease vectors.
3. A LOOK INTO THE FIGURES IPCC [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007 > > World temperatures could rise by between 1.1 and 6.4 °C during the 21st century. Sea levels will probably rise by 18 to 59 cm. > There is a 90% chance that there will be more frequent warm spells, heat waves and heavy rainfall. > There is a 66% chance that there will be an increase in droughts, tropical cyclones and extreme high tides.
4. ANY IDEA WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND US? > > Greenland is melting at a rate of 52 cubic miles per year . The amount of ice in the Arctic at the end of the 2005 summer “was the smallest seen in 27 years of satellite imaging.” > In Glacier National Park , the number of glaciers in the park has dropped from 150 to 26 since 1850. > The sacred Ganges River in India is beginning to run dry. The Ganges is fed by the Gangotri glacier, which is today “shrinking at a rate of 40 yards a year, nearly twice as fast as two decades ago.” Scientists warn the glacier could be gone as soon as 2030. Hotter temperatures could also mean larger and more devastating wildfires. This past summer in California, a blaze consumed more than 52 square miles. During the summer of 2007, Britain suffered its worst flood in 60 years. > >
5. WHAT CAN WE DO? There are a hundred things that we can do, or in some ways say NOT DO, to decrease the rate of global warming. > I would rather like to separate the list into TWO categories. 1. Things that are very easy to do , which requires no or little change. > 2. Things that are easy , but might require you to change your lifestyle, the way you work, or require a little investment.
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7. Replace a regular incandescent light bulb with a Compact Fluorescent Light bulb [CFL]. CFL’s use 60% less energy than a regular bulb. This simple switch will save about 300 pounds of carbon dioxide a year. DO NOT leave appliances on standby. Cover your pots while cooking. Even better are pressure cookers and steamers: they can save around 70%! Use the washing machine or dishwasher only when they are full. > > > >
8. Buy intelligently. One bottle of 1.5L requires less energy and produces less waste than three bottles of 0.5L. As well, buy recycled paper products. Choose products that come with little packaging. Reuse your shopping bag. Reduce waste. E.g. taking your lunch in a reusable lunch box instead of a disposable one… is a Good Idea! > > > >
9. Buy locally grown and produced foods to reduce transportation costs and save energy. Buy fresh foods instead of frozen. Frozen food uses 10 times more energy to produce. Encourage your school or business to reduce emissions. Encourage the switch to renewable energy. > > > >
10. Protect and conserve forest worldwide. Consider the impact of your investments. If you invest your money, you should consider the impact that global warming and weather change will have on your investments and savings. Make your city cool. Spread the knowledge. Enlighten. Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! > > > >
11. Take a shower instead of a bath. A shower will only take a bucket of water, for a bath which will take 2. Use less hot water. Plant a tree. * Reduce the number of miles you drive by walking, biking, carpooling or taking mass transit wherever possible . Start a carpool with your coworkers or classmates. > > > > >
12. Keep your car tuned up. Get the regular checks done to reduce emissions and save fuel. Drive carefully and do not waste fuel. So NO Drifting, NO Skidding, NO burnouts!! When it is time for a new car, choose a more fuel efficient vehicle. Go for the latest hybrid technology. Fly less! Can we ask you not to fly 1500 miles for your vacation! Instead choose nearby options. Switch to green power. Install Solar Cells, use clean fuel. And why not switch to a HYBRID vehicle!?! > > > > >
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14. While working at IBM, I found how electricity was being misused. Now, that might not be intentional, but a little carefulness can actually save at least 10,000 WATTS / DAY! Are you wondering how? Lets take a look at some amazing facts . . . . . . . . ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!
15. There were approximately 340 computers deployed on the production floor. If these IBM think centre flat panels were turned off for a period of 10 hours in a day, it would actually save 3 X 10 X 340 Watts / Day, which is equal to an enormous 10,200 WATTS / DAY! Therefore, its clear how a very little change or an innovative idea can make such a big difference. In at least 10 out of 24 hours in a day, all these computers were put on “Standby” which actually consumes 3 Watts / hour of Power.
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17. My References . . . My Sincere Thanks to the Organizations who have made commendable contribution to Save Climate.
