The Future of Earth

Global Warming

The National Academy of Sciences, a private organization of top scientists that advises the U.S. government on scientific matters, reported on June 22, 2006, that the "recent warmth is unprecedented for at least the last 400 years and potentially the last several millennia" and that "human activities are responsible for much of the recent warming".

The report goes on to say that from the start of the 20th century, there were sharp rises in the "greenhouse" gases, carbon dioxide and methane. These two gases are believed to be the main contributors to global warming, by trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere, similar to the way that a windshield traps heat in a car.

What is producing enough greenhouse gases to change the climate of our planet? Since the industrial age began, factories, power plants, and cars have burned coal and gasoline. Spitting out an endless stream of carbon dioxide. We produce millions of pounds of methane by allowing our trash to decompose in landfills and from agricultural sources like cattle and fertilizer.

Scientists all over the world agree that humans are the cause of global warming and that it could have catastrophic effects. It is important for all countries to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases now, to limit the future effects of global warming.

As a society, we must break our dependency on fuels that cause pollution by supporting clean, renewable energy sources. Each of us can slow global warming by reducing the amount of energy we use and the pollution we produce as individuals every day.

The Impacts of Global Warming

What effects will global warming have on the Earth and its inhabitants in the future? Are there any effects from global warming visible now?

Due to the enormous complexity of the atmosphere, the most useful tools for gauging future changes are 'climate models'. These are computer programs which simulate the climate's behavior.

Climate models are constantly improving based on both our understanding and the increase in computer power. However, climate models are just simulations and they can only be as good as the knowledge and skill of the people who create them. With that in mind, here are what some scientists are predicting as the potential consequences of global warming.

Earth

A number of geologists suggest that glacial melting due to climate change will release pressures in the Earth's crust, causing extreme geological events such as earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.

Wind

The number of powerful and dangerous hurricanes could increase. Warmer water in the oceans pumps more energy into tropical storms, making them more intense and potentially more destructive.

Fire

Heat waves could be more frequent and severe. This could cause more heat related deaths. Warmer and dryer conditions could bring drought conditions and increase the risk of wildfires.

More on Global Warming

Here are some of the articles and sites I found on global warming.

*Linking to an article does not imply endorsement

Human Cause, Global Effect
60 Minutes interview of James Hansen
How to Fight Global Warming
Hurricanes and Global Warming
The Cooler Heads Coalition
EPA - Global Warming
Sierra Club
Greenhouse gases
Environmental Defense
Potential Outcome
Earth Observatory
ClimateHotMap.org
Union of Concerned Scientists
Geoengineering: How to Cool Earth at a Price

The Kyoto Protocol

Over a decade ago, most countries joined an international treaty, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to consider what could be done to reduce global warming and to cope with potential temperature increases. Recently, a number of nations have approved an addition to the treaty: the Kyoto Protocol, which has more powerful and legally binding measures.

The Kyoto Protocol

The Rainforests

Rainforests are forests where more than 100 inches of rain fall each year so they are always green and full of life. More than half of the world’s plant and animal species live in rainforests.

Rainforest Alliance

Here are some sites about rainforests:

The Road to Recover
The Tropical Rain Forest
The Living Rainforest
The future of tropical forests
Tropical Rainforest Coalition
Save The Rainforest, Inc.
Rainforest Portal
Rainforest Information Centre
Passport to the Rainforest

Erasable Paper

Xerox is developing a printer with disappearing ink. Special paper erases itself after 24 hours, allowing it to be reprinted on up to 100 times. This green printer, that currently prints only in black, could save trees and energy.

Erasable Paper

Good CARMA

CARMA reveals the carbon emissions of more than 50,000 power plants and 4,000 power companies in every country on Earth.

Carbon Monitoring for Action

Our Future Water Supply

In the future, global warming and increased population could cause water shortages. Even today, there are millions of people that do not have access to clean water. Can technology provide the world with fresh, abundant water?

The eco machine that can magic water out of thin air

Video - Stephen Colbert puts inventor Dean Kamen's vapor compression distiller to the test.