The average temperature levels across the country rising every year. We are indeed experiencing a very rapid “global warming”. We are quickly using up all of our natural resources, which forces us to burn fossil fuels, and other un-natural gasses into our atmosphere. Our environmental issues are completely man made, with the increasing gallons of trash being dumped into water ways every year; we will soon be facing a detrimental change in our environment. Most people believe that this issue will be faced by future generations, when in reality we are facing this very real problem today.
We under every circumstance need more interest and support groups that will take greater measures to protect our environment and stop pollution at the source. However, above all we need government intervention into our environmental issues. We need more money and funds available for leaders and law makers to make a difference in our environmental issues. We most surely need more action into this issue.
In order to stop this imminent destruction of our environment, we must stop the pollution of the earth and of our atmosphere at the source. There are hundreds of ways that citizens can help. Recycling, conserving water, conserving electricity and joining local support groups are only a few examples that will make a difference. We must treat our environment as a very fragile thing, in need of great care and attention. If we do not take actions now to mend our environment, we will be dealing with this issue for hundreds of years to come.
Did you know that the ocean naturally leaks oil at a much larger and much more constant rate than the resent BP Oil spill? “Oil residue in seafloor sediments that comes from natural petroleum seeps off Santa Barbara, Calif., is equivalent to between 8 to 80 Exxon Valdez oil spills, according to a new study by researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).” Should we also seal off the ocean floor along with having reusable grocery bags, driving hybrids, and turning the water off when we are brushing our teeth, or perhaps the media blows these so called “crises” out of proportion.
ReplyDeleteAnother issue all together, is the question of whether the earth’s temperature is actually rising. NASA has been reworking recent temperatures upwards and older temperatures downwards - which creates a greater slope and the appearance of warming. Furthermore, a paper published in scientific journal Nature this week has reignited the debate about Global Warming, by predicting that the earth won't be getting any warmer until 2015. If the current trends of manufacturing continue for the next five years then how could the temperature not rise, unless of course the reason for “Global Warming” is not due to humanity but rather a natural phenomenon? As far as the Government is concerned it seems hardly fair that American’s tax money should go to things that they don’t agree with. If individual wish to get into eco-friendly groups and push their ideas and help the environment I am all for it. That is the beauty of America where people can voice their opinions and be active in their pursuits. I agree Americans should watch how they impact the environment; however my concern goes as far as picking up trash and recycling.
While humankind may contribute to pollution and other unsavory deeds to our planet, government intervention at this time is merely a waste of funding. Emily makes a good point in her article that “Our citizens do not understand the severity and significance of the horrible state our environment is currently in.” This is probably true but some researchers even doubt the existence of global warming caused by carbon emissions that we impose on our planet. If humans are truly the cause for the increase of earth’s temperature because of our carbon output then recycling and reducing our energy consumption alone will have no effect. The government would have to do a major crack down that I don’t foresee as possible. The effects of the BP oil spill and the tons of garbage we put into our earth each year are minuscule in comparison to the effects of factory farming. American’s insatiable taste for meat is really doing a number on our environment. Over half of the water consumed in the U.S goes to the production of meat. And those animals that produce the meat we consume way too much of produce 130 times the amount of excrement that humans do. All of that waste produces methane (a contributor to the green house effect) and the run off pollutes the water that we drink. Researchers at the University of Chicago concluded that switching from a standard American diet to a vegan diet is more effective in the fight against climate change than switching from a standard American car to a hybrid. Unfortunately it is unrealistic to change the American diet. We are the fattest and greediest people on this planet. While it may be in our best interest to make legislation that will help our environment the economy is in no shape to provide funding for it. I support private sectors and other interest groups in their quest for environmental justice and for now environmental help is going to have to be left to those who are most concerned.
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